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California Native Gardens!

Create beautiful gardens that use less water!

With California facing one of the most severe droughts on record. The state has continued to lead the way to make sure California is able to cope with an unprecedented drought. Native plant gardens are one way of creating a drought-resilient yard.

Native plant gardens minimize the amount of water used by individuals and communities.

Here are 5 things to know about the drought, according to bewaterwise.com®:

  • It’s one of the worst in California’s history
  • Storage levels are dropping, preserve our reserves
  • Conservation is key in hot summer and fall
  • Limiting outdoor water use equals big savings
  • Find water-saving tips and valuable rebates at bewaterwise.com®

There are many benefits to having a drought resilient garden! You save water and money by having a native garden instead of a thirsty lawn. They are low maintenance, use little to no water, and don’t need soil preparation or fertilizing. The beautiful landscaping will also increase your homes’ curbside appeal.

Native plants attract wildlife into your yard! Drought-tolerant native plants buzz with bumblebees, butterflies and ladybugs. The native plants attract not only insects but also birds, including warblers, wrens and hummingbirds.

Below is a list of some of the top California native plants:

  • Tree Mallow (Lavatera bicolor)
  • Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea)
  • Concha California Lilac (Ceanothus ‘concha’)
  • Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia rigens)
  • Coral Bells or Alum Root (Heuchera)

There are thousands more to choose from. Visit bewaterwise.com® for catalogues of plants, garden ideas, rebate information and conservation tips.

Household Hazardous Waste!

Dispose of HHW properly!

Household hazardous waste, or HHW, is any discarded material that threatens public health, safety, and the environment due to its chemical nature. Throwing these materials in the trash, down storm drains, on the ground, or in the sewer system puts oceans and groundwater at risk. HHW must be recycled or safely disposed of at specific facilities or in special programs.

Here are some proper ways to dispose of HHW:

Visit the S.A.F.E. Collection Center, a FREE Permanent Drop-Off Facility

The S.A.F.E. Collection Center is located at 1400 North Gaffey St. San Pedro, CA 90021. The site is open SATURDAYS and SUNDAYS from 9:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M. except Holidays and rainy days. Click here to visit their website.

Go to a Los Angeles County Department of Public Works FREE one-day, periodic HHW collection event

Nearly every weekend, there is an event somewhere in L.A. County that provides a safe and convenient way to dispose and recycle household hazardous waste and electronics. The next collection event will be held at the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant in Carson on Saturday, October 18th. Click here to view the event flyer.

What you CAN bring to a Countywide HHW collection:

  • Motor oil, oil filters, brake fluid
  •  Used antifreeze
  • Paint, paint thinner, turpentine
  • Cleaners with acid or lye
  •  Pesticides or herbicides
  •  Household batteries or car batteries
  •  Pool chemicals
  •  CRTs, old TVs, misc. electronics
  •  Mercury thermometers or thermostats
  •  Used Needles or Sharps (In a Sharps container or sturdy box labeled “SHARPS”) (Click here for more information)
  •  Unwanted or expired prescriptions (Click here for more information)

What you CANNOT bring to a Countywide HHW collection:

  • Explosives
  • Ammunition
  • Radioactive Materials
  • Trash
  • Tires
  • Business Waste
  • White Goods (stoves, fridges, etc.)
  • Controlled Substances
  • Biohazardous Waste (blood, urine, etc.)

Curbside Collection Program!

Gray, Green, Black Bins… What goes where?

The City of Torrance curbside collection program makes residential trash and recycling easy. The program consists of one Black, Gray, and Green bin. What do the colors represent?

The Gray bin is for recycling of plastics, glass, and paper. Items such as aluminum cans and foil, plastic bottles and containers, cardboard, empty food boxes, egg cartons (cardboard only), glass bottles and jars, junk mail, magazines and brochures, metal coat hangers, newspapers, phonebooks, and tin cans. Do not place liquids, napkins, tissue paper and anything soiled with food into Gray bin.

  • Tip: Please rinse out containers, but be sure all liquids are drained from containers before placing in recycling bins.
  • Tip: Labels can be left on the containers. Lids can be recycled in the bin, but please take them off the containers.

The Green bin is for recycling yard waste including grass, leaves, wood chips, tree branches, sawdust, garden trimmings, green plants, and weeds. Material cannot protrude from the top of the containers more than 2 or 3 feet.

  • Tip: Recycle your Christmas trees any time in your green waste container. Cut up your Christmas tree to meet green waste collection requirements.
  • Tip: Leave your grass clippings on the lawn – it’s a good source of nitrogen and acts as a fertilizer. You can also recycle your green waste and food waste at home to create your own compost. Go to www.smartgardening.com to learn more.

The Black bin is for trash only. Trash items include food waste, soiled toiletries/food containers, cigarette butts, diapers, sponges, styrofoam, waxed paper, palm fronds, cactus, ice plant, and yucca. Do not place dirt, rock, sod, concrete, construction debris, hot ashes, liquids, electronics, and hazardous wastes into Black bin.

  • Tip: If you need additional capacity, leave the lid open and place a securely closed additional 30-gallon trash bag on top of your other waste.

Visit the City of Torrance’s Residential Curbside Collection webpage for more information.

Recycle Your Old TV!

Keep landfills toxic free!

If you recently upgraded to a big, new flat-screen, make sure you responsibly dispose of those big, boxy TV.

According to The New York Times there are more than 200 million of these TV units sitting in American homes just awaiting disposal.

All types of electronic waste present a challenge for recyclers, but CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) televisions and monitors are particularly difficult to deal with.

More than 40% of all the lead that leaks out at our landfills and contaminates our land and water comes from electronics thrown in the trash. And your old TV set alone contains up to eight pounds of lead. New legislation has ruled that all electronics are now considered a form of hazardous waste.

Because of this new designation, we can no longer include computer monitors or TV sets in the large item collection program, and no electronic materials can be disposed of with regular trash. These items must be safely disposed of or recycled.

Here are some options in the City of Torrance:

  • Attend a free Household Hazardous & Electronic Waste Collections run by the County for free recycling or safe disposal at the regular. These free periodic events occur at least once a month in the South Bay area. Click here for the schedule of upcoming collection events, or call 1-800-238-0173.  These events are for residents only, not businesses.
  • Visit S.A.F.E. Collection Center,  a free permanent drop-off facility that all Los Angeles County residents can use for recycling or safe disposal of electronics and other hazardous wastes. Location at 1400 N. Gaffey St. San Pedro. Open every Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 3 pm except holidays and rainy days. For additional information, call 1-800-98-TOXIC (1-800-988-6942) or  click here to visit their website.
  • Take your old TVs to Walser’s Art Supply, a certified drop off for electronics recycling.  They will accept materials from both residents and businesses. Please click here for their flyer for their location, drop-off times, and other restrictions. Click here to visit their website.
  • Donations are always a possibility.

For more information, visit the City of Torrance Public Works Department Electronic Recycling webpage or call (310) 781-6900.

 

Recycle Used Oil and Filters!

It’s Quick, It’s Easy and It’s the Right Thing To Do!

Every year approximately 13 million gallons of motor oil that has been sold to the public is unaccounted for. California has no record of that motor oil being recycled. What happens to it? Maybe it is disposed of improperly… thrown down the storm drain, poured down the drain, poured on to a patch in the back yard, or thrown into the garbage.

  • Did you know that used motor oil never wears out? It just gets dirty and can be recycled, cleaned, and used again. If these contaminants reach the ground, they can seep into our water supply and cause serious pollution. If they are released into our storm drain system they get washed away with the next rains directly into the ocean!
  • Yes, used oil is very recyclable. Used oil can be re-refined or processed into fuel oil.
  • Oil filters contain used oil and steel. Both are valuable nonrenewable resources.

When you take your used oil to a certified center for recycling, you are protecting the environment, and conserving a valuable resource. That’s a winning combination!

Find a Certified Collection Center in the City of Torrance!

For more information on used oil and filter recycling visit CalRecycle.

Reuse Waste Tires!

The Beauty of Old Tire Recycling!

About 290 million used tires are thrown away every year. Of those, 55 million tires end up being thrown into landfills or are disposed of illegally on roadsides and properties around the country. These waste scrap tires pose a potential threat to public health, safety, and the environment.

The good news is tires can be reclaimed and reused as fuel, engineering projects, roads, mats, flooring, and even playgrounds.

There are also creative things you can make with already used tires. Here you have some clever ideas how you can re-purpose all that rubber:

  • Create interior and exterior furniture. Tires are a perfect circular size for ottoman chairs and are great as the base of a table.
  • Build a tire swing for your backyard. Kids and adults alike enjoy the classic activity of swinging on old tires.
  • Make a planter for your garden. Rubber tires provide the ideal material for a planter.
  • And many more… Checkout some other great ideas for recycling old tires on Pinterest.

Let us know some of your old tire recycling ideas in the comments section!

Also don’t forget to join the City of Torrance on February 21st for a FREE waste tire collection event from 9am to 1pm at Torrance City Hall Parking Lot, 3031 Torrance Blvd. Open to residents of Torrance and Gardena. Visit our EVENTS webpage for event details and flyer.

Storm Drains are for Rain!

Keep the Drains Clean!

Everything that goes in a storm drain comes out in the ocean!

Unlike water that goes to the sanitary sewer system, storm water is not treated or filtered before it is discharged to the ocean. Polluted runoff can have harmful effects on wildlife and the recreational uses of streams, creeks and beaches.

Do not dump trash, debris, or liquids down the storm drains, gutters, or streets.

There is plenty we can all do to help!

  • Keep trash and litter out of drains, especially cigarette butts. In fact, 32% of litter at storm drains is tobacco products. Always throw your litter in the garbage.
  • Remember to scoop your pet’s poop. Unscooped poop gets carried by overland water contaminating our waterways. Carry a pet waste bag with you on walks and dispose of them properly.
  • Keep cars well maintained to prevent leaks. Do not dispose of automotive fluids in the street, gutter or in the garbage. It is illegal! Visit 888CleanLA.com for the location of a center that recycles these fluids or go to a local household hazardous waste roundup.
  • Do not overwater lawns. Overflowing water will cause toxic fertilizers and pesticides to run into the street, down the storm drain and into the ocean. Please use fertilizers and pesticides wisely, not before a rain, and water carefully. There are also biodegradable and environmentally-friendly products for outdoor cleaning and landscape maintenance.
  • Do not sweep, wash, or blow grass clippings or other lawn debris into the street. They can clog catch basins. Properly dispose of green waste by placing into the green bin provided by the city.

You can keep your community clean, protect our area waterways and make the beaches safe by following these simple steps. Help keep the City of Torrance beautiful!

Composting!

From Garbage To Your Garden!

Compost is the single most important supplement you can give your garden soil.

With compost, you are creating rich humus for your lawn and garden. This adds nutrients to your plants and helps retain moisture in the soil.

Composting can divert as much as 30% of household waste away from the garbage can and offers a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers.

Composting is free, good for the environment, and explained by this simple formula:

Air + Water + Carbon + Nitrogen = Compost


  • Air. Like most living things, the bacteria that decompose organic matter, and the other creatures that make up the compost ecosystem, need air. Compost piles need spaces for air to flow. Occasionally turning your pile moves new material into the center, and helps improve airflow into the pile.
  • Water. Compost microbes also need the right amount of water. Too much moisture reduces airflow, causes temperatures to fall, and can make the pile smell; too little water slows decomposition and prevents the pile from heating.
  • Carbon ingredients. The microbes that break down organic matter use carbon as an energy source. The most common high-carbon ingredients are leaves, straw, and corn stalks. These ingredients are called browns.
  • Nitrogen ingredients. Microbes need nitrogen for the proteins that build their tiny bodies. Ingredients high in nitrogen are generally green, moist plant matter, such as leaves, or an animal by-product, such as manure. These ingredients are called greens.

Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio
The secret to a healthy compost pile is to maintain a working balance between these two elements. A healthy compost pile should have much more carbon than nitrogen. A simple rule of thumb is to use two-thirds brown and one-third green materials. If in doubt, add more carbon!

Once your compost pile is established, add new materials by mixing them in. Mixing, or turning, the compost pile is key to aerating the composting materials and speeding the process to completion.

A new composting bin is now available through the City of Torrance Public Works Department


The Envirocycle mini composting bin is great for small areas like patios. Comes fully assembled Spins in place on its own base for aeration. Made with a high percentage of Post-Consumer and Post-Industrial recycled plastic (BPA Free).

Go to Envirocycle.com for more information about the bin.

To purchase ($70 each, Torrance residents only, cash or check only), contact Public Works at 310-781-6900

Check Your Number!

Fewer Oil Changes Equals Good News

Did you know that your car may not need an oil change as often as you think? Fewer oil changes saves you time and money, and helps protect the environment. Simply check your owner’s manual or consult your authorized dealership for the recommended oil change interval number for your vehicle.

CalRecycle’s new motor oil campaign, Check Your Number, urges Californians to check the recommended oil change interval for their car in their owner’s manual. They’ll likely save time and money in service costs and do the environment a big favor — without hurting their car or compromising auto performance in the least.

The old standard of 3,000 miles is woefully out of date and no longer applies to most cars. Many cars, even older models, can be driven up to 5,000, 7,500, 10,000, and even 15,000 miles before needing an oil change.

By volume, used motor oil is one of the largest hazardous waste streams in California: Almost 115 million gallons are sold in the state each year. While about 70 percent is collected after use, it continues to be a serious environmental problem because it is insoluble and contains heavy metals and toxic chemicals. It makes its way into lakes, streams, and oceans via the storm water system and endangers fish, waterfowl, insects, and other aquatic life. In addition, one gallon of used motor oil can foul the taste of 1 million gallons of water.

Drivers can do their part to help the environment by simply looking up the recommended oil change intervals for their cars and changing their habits accordingly. Advances in modern engines and improved oil formulas have made the 3,000-mile oil change obsolete. Under normal driving conditions, cutting back to the automaker’s recommended intervals will not affect your car’s engine, its performance, or your warranty.

Check your number today and save time, money, and the environment! Visit CheckYourNumber.org or Recycle Torrance Check Your Number page to learn more.

 

Roofing Waste

The Staggering Impact of Roofing Waste (and a Recycling Solution)

Eleven million tons of asphalt shingle waste is generated annually in the U.S. What can you do to make a change?

When was the last time you thought about roofing waste? Yeah, we thought so.

Most of us think about asphalt roof shingles only when we need to repair or replace a roof. Recycling shingles probably doesn’t make your top 10 list of everyday recycling ideas to help protect the planet.

But, roofing waste is a big deal. Consider this: 11 million tons of asphalt shingle waste is generated in the U.S. each year. That is more than the combined weight of every Ford vehicle sold in the U.S. in 2011. If you think about how many houses and commercial buildings we have in this country — how many rooftops we have — you will begin to appreciate how much roofing waste we generate.

Recycling shingles can have a huge impact on reducing that waste. Consider the following facts about shingle waste:

  • More than 12.5 billion square feet of shingles are manufactured each year in the U.S.
  • That’s more than 448 square miles of roof shingles — enough to cover Washington, D.C., with shingles four-and-a-half times.
  • 11 million tons of asphalt shingle waste is generated in the U.S. each year.
  • Recycling 11 million tons of asphalt roofing shingles is the equivalent of saving 11 million barrels of oil.
  • The U.S. manufactures enough asphalt shingles each year to cover the entire Facebook campus 11,000 times.
  • Asphalt roof shingles don’t have to fill up landfills. They can be recycled!

Reduce, reuse and recycle shingles

Roofing contractors can reduce shingle waste by measuring accurately and only purchasing what is needed, which also keeps roofing costs down. When hiring a roofing contractor, ask each contractor you interview for an estimate of shingle use. A contractor who purchases an appropriate amount of shingles will contain costs and reduce waste.

Also, ask your roofing contractors if they plan to recycle old shingles after they have been removed from your roof. In many states, recycled shingles can be used in asphalt for paving roads. Choose a contractor who recycles shingle waste, rather than sending it to a landfill.

Finally, ask your contractor what will be done with surplus shingles. Extra shingles can be donated to Habitat for Humanity and other charitable organizations. Ask your local Habitat chapter if it can recommend a roofing contractor who supports this mission.

Recycling shingles when you replace or repair your roof can go a long way toward reducing the millions of tons of shingles sent to landfills each year. That’s a goal homeowners and contractors alike should work toward.