Green oceanside's guide to a sustainable summer in oceanside

In the U.S., 561 billion disposable food service items are used each year, creating 4.9 million tons of waste, according to upstreamsollutions.org. While these numbers may seem overwhelming, small, simple actions can make a big difference. By striving for zero waste and making sustainable choices, especially during your summer adventures, you can help keep our beaches clean and beautiful for generations to come. Use the tips below to make your summer more eco-friendly and #skipthestuff

B.Y.O. BAG 
Choose to reuse and bring your own reusable bag for trips to the store, local farmers’ market, or even the beach.
SIP SUSTAINABLY
Skip the disposable water bottles and bring your own refillable and reusable water bottle that can be used during your vacation and all year long.
SNACK SMARTER
Ditch the single-use plastic and pack your snacks in reusable baggies or containers. Not only are they sleek and stylish, but you can greatly reduce your plastic waste!
REDUCE YOUR GENERATION OF WASTE
Bring only what you need to have a good time. Don’t bring everything “and the kitchen sink” to the beach!
LEAVE NO TRACE
Leave the beach exactly as you found it, clean and undisturbed. Whether you’re at the beach or a park, take all your trash with you, check your area before leaving, and use reusable items to cut down on waste. If you see litter, pick it up! Small actions like these help protect Oceanside’s beauty wildlife for everyone to enjoy.

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​Why Recycling Used Motor Oil Matters: Protecting Our Planet One Drop at a Time

 Why It’s Important to Properly Recycle Oil
 
A regular oil change keeps automobiles running smoothly. Recycling that oil keeps our environment healthy too!
 
Did you know? Used motor oil never wears out—it just gets dirty and can be cleaned, recycled, and used again. Recycling used motor oil conserves a natural resource and is also good for the environment.  In fact, Oceanside residents prevented over 30,000 gallons of used oil from polluting our local waterways by recycling used oil in 2021 alone!
 
Motor oil poured onto the ground, into storm drains or tossed into trash cans—even in a sealed container—can contaminate and pollute the soil, groundwater, streams and rivers. It’s also illegal.
 
Storing used oil in containers for long periods of time is also dangerous because many materials can degrade when in contact with used oil, increasing the risk of a spill. Recycling your used motor oil reduces pollution and safety threats.
 
When you take your used oil to a certified center for recycling you are protecting the environment, and conserving a valuable resource. For more information including where to properly recycle your used oil and oil filters, please visit www.greenoceanside.org

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