Submitted by: Jack Mittemeyer, Marketing Specialist, Solana Center for Environmental Innovation

At Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Encinitas, our mission is to empower innovative solutions to climate change through education, community engagement, and research. Our work impacts communities throughout San Diego County and directly supports the Live Well San Diego vision of Building Better Health, Living Safely, and Thriving. 

Solana Center’s programs address environmental health at its core. By providing composting workshops, food waste reduction education, and resources for green living practices, we strengthen community health by empowering sustainable behavior changes and practical climate solutions. Our initiatives mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and reduce single-use plastic waste while bringing people of all ages together at workshops, events, school presentations, and webinars. During our 2023-2024 fiscal year, our Environmental Solutions team educated and consulted with hundreds of local commercial food businesses to divert more than 7 million pounds of edible food from going to the landfill. That food was donated to assistance programs that distribute it to food-insecure individuals! Annually, our collective programs mitigate approximately 18,000 pounds of greenhouse gases, which is the equivalent of planting 270,000 trees and letting them grow for 10 years! 

Our Climate Solutions Hub offers zero-waste alternatives to traditional consumer products, experiential environmental learning, and expert guidance from our education staff. Our Tool Lending Library and Green Convene programs offer accessible ways for residents to reduce consumption through renting and returning reusable goods. Our Sustainability Shop stocks inventory to support composting, gardening, rainwater collection, water conservation, and circular systems. We also host a Plastic Beach collection site (for plastic bags) and a Freecycle shed, furthering our participation in landfill diversion and waste reduction. Our Zero Waste initiatives strengthen the circular economy and reduce strain on limited natural resources.