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Carlsbad unveils school recycling push and draft climate plan updates; staff seek district support
Summary
City staff presented school meal-sorting programs, edible-food recovery efforts tied to SB 1383, and a draft Climate Action Plan update; they asked districts to continue supporting school recycling, and trustees raised questions about battery storage, liners, and renewable options.
City sustainability staff described a suite of programs aimed at reducing school waste and updating the city’s Climate Action Plan.
Avicida Jones, the city’s Sustainable Materials Management senior program manager, presented school-focused work: student assemblies, meal-sorting stations, teacher and custodial training, and signage deployed in schools that fall within city boundaries. Jones said the programs are funded with grants and that the city has provided equipment and technical assistance to districts, including meal-sorting pilots, share-table work and edible-food recovery in partnership with Republic Services and community groups.
"These are the trainings that we offer," Jones said, describing staff training for nutrition and custodial teams and summer teacher training on sustainable practices. A brief video shown in the meeting noted that the average Carlsbad resident produces about 7.5 pounds of waste per day and reminded students to sort compost, recycling and landfill items.
Katie Hentrich, the city’s Climate Action Plan administrator, reviewed the draft update covering transportation, energy, water, waste diversion and carbon sequestration. Hentrich said the draft plan was posted online in July and will go to the planning commission and city council this fall; measures include municipal renewable-electricity options and a safe-routes-to-school component.
Trustees asked technical questions: whether the city plans battery-storage near schools (staff said none known), which schools are participating in waste programs (staff listed schools within the city boundary), whether compost liners are accepted by haulers (staff said liners are allowed and haulers trained), and whether the city's proposed 100% renewable option would be for municipal accounts only or citywide; staff offered to follow up with district-specific details.
Trustees praised student-led and district initiatives such as share tables and noted purchases of electric school buses in one district; staff encouraged districts to sign up for the city’s Green Business Program, which includes a K–12 checklist.
The committee did not take formal action; staff requested continued district engagement to increase program participation and ensure consistent hauler practices.
