Reduce, Refuse, Reuse, and Recycle in Town
Refuse
- Reusable dry cleaning bags are available at most dry cleaners (avoid the plastic bags)
- All grocery stores sell reusable bags;
- Gelson's enters customers with reusable bags in a weekly contest for $25 gift certificate and Ralph's gives a 5 cent credit per bag.
- Use reusable coffee mugs; Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Starbucks will give you a credit if you bring your own mug.
- Use a real coffee cup at Starbucks if you are drinking your coffee there (they provide them if you ask)
Recycle
- Recycle bottles, cans and paper in the blue bins located around town. The contents of these bins, provided by Palisades Cares, is collected by employees of Chrysalis Enterprises.
- Recycle expired or unused medicines at Knoll's Pharmacy
- Take hazardous waste, including CFLs
(compact fluorescent bulbs) to the SAFE Center at UCLA. Also take CFLs to OSH.
- Recycle batteries at local public libraries, Target, OSH.
.
Water Wise Gardening
The principles of ocean-friendly gardening include minimizing the grass on your property, using plants that are native to our area or other plants that have minimal water requirements, eliminating the use of pesticides, and conserving water.
The benefits of removing your grass include: reduced water usage, less labor for maintenance and less chemical pollution of the storm water system.
Currently, the LADWP Turf Removal Program gives residents incentives to remove their turf. Residents receive $1.50 per square foot removed, with a minimum removal of 200 square feet. Details are on the LADWP website. It is necessary to apply for the program before removing the grass.
Turf can be substituted with water-wise plants including California natives and Mediterranean type plants, succulents and edibles. Resources for plant selections include www.theodorepayne.org, www.sunset.com, www.bewaterwise.com, and www.rsabg.org (Grow Native Nursery, Westwood).
Helpful resources for turf removal and replacement include Theodore Payne Foundation, theodorepayne.org bewaterwise.com, ladwp.com, and Surfrider, surfrider.org. Photos of drought tolerant gardens from the Mar Vista Green Garden Tour:
www.marvistagreengardenshowcase.blogspot.com
