In April 2019, the County’s Land Use and Environment Group hosted an Earth Day Fair at the County Operations Center where county residents learned how County sustainability programs improve air quality, protect watersheds, support local agriculture, and reduce waste. An electric vehicle powered by solar energy was on display to demonstrate how the County vehicle fleet is transitioning to cleaner energy. Participants also had the opportunity to properly dispose of batteries, compact fluorescent lights, and other hazardous waste materials.

The County also participated at the annual EarthFair in Balboa Park which drew in over 100,000 visitors. Of the over 300 exhibitors were the County’s Parks and Recreation Department, Air Pollution Control District, and the Department of Public Works, which teamed up with the cities of San Diego and Chula Vista to hold the “Reuse and Repair Fair.” In this joint effort, the County and two cities shared creative and innovative ways to give new life to visitors’ reusable household items.

The Planning & Development Services Department hosted its annual departmental meeting with a theme of “Sustainability” at Flynn Springs Park. Over 200 attendees received reusable utensils, straws, and cups to use at the event and reuse in their daily lives. Food scraps were collected in composting bins. Guest speakers from Live Well San Diego Food System Initiative and Feeding San Diego shared the importance of food donation and limiting wasted food to sustainable food systems.

The Department of Public Works hosted the annual Zero Waste Symposium in partnership with Zero Waste San Diego. Speakers from cities and agencies throughout the San Diego region and state shared how they are cutting down on organic waste and increasing the amount of materials recycled, such as metal, paper, glass, and plastic, to achieve zero waste goals.