Why celebrate just one little Earth Day when you can make a difference and have fun all month long? That’s our outlook here in Irvine, and we’re excited to share multiple festivities with the community throughout April in honor of Mother Earth. The theme of this year’s global celebration is Planet vs. Plastics, highlighting a commitment to end plastics for the sake of human and planetary health. 

The City of Irvine is hosting community events all month long for Earth Day:

• Induction Cooktop Workshop, Wednesday, April 3, 6–7:30 p.m.: Chef Katie Chin will demonstrate how to make various ethnically diverse dishes on an all-electric induction cooktop at the Irvine Fine Arts Center, as well discuss the benefits of switching from gas range to an all-electric. Registration required.
• Free Compost Giveaway Event, Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.: Receive up to three pre-packaged bags of free compost, while supplies last, at the Great Park Parking Lot 8 (next to Wild Rivers).
• Celebrate Earth Day at Quail Hill, Saturday, April 13, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.: Don't miss out on the main event, featuring guided hikes of Irvine's open space, compost demonstrations, presentations on going solar, and more.
• Used Oil Filter Exchange, Saturday, April 27, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.: Bring in your used oil filter and exchange it for a new one at O'Reilly Auto Center. 

Learn more about these events and how to get involved at cityofirvine.org/earthday.

Use Compostable or Paper Bags When Recycling Organics

The City is making it easier to properly dispose of your organic waste, so lettuce all recycle right!

For the past year, Irvine residents have been separating their organic waste from the trash and placing it in the green bin for composting. This effort aligns with a state law geared toward mitigating climate change, specifically reducing the levels of greenhouse gases being generated when food waste is landfilled.

Starting April 1, recycling organics will be a lot easier. Thanks to the City’s updated agreement with Waste Management, residents can now conveniently use compostable or paper bags to store and dispose of organic waste.

By recycling food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard, residents can help protect Irvine and the environment. For more information, visit cityofirvine.org/sb1383.

The City's Environmental Programs team kicked off this year with an Electrification 101 Workshop, bringing together local contractors, nearly 60 community members, and more than 10 partner organizations — including Cool Irvine, OC Goes Solar, and the Switch is On. The event was a testament to the City's commitment to climate leadership and a prime example of efforts that will continue throughout the year to offer our community valuable environmentally responsible resources to support emissions reduction targets for the City.

Two presentations — including one from Irvine resident, UCI professor, and Irvine Sustainability Commissioner Steve Allison — shared the benefits of going electric for your health, comfort, and economic value. The workshop highlighted electrification's importance as a key strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across Irvine, which the City is actively incorporating into the CAAP. The City has already taken tangible steps to transition to renewable energy by:

• Installing energy-efficient electric heat pump water heaters in five community facilities.
• Replacing outdated gas-powered heaters.
• And implementing a plan for solar panels at Irvine City Hall.

Environmental Programs will be regularly offering workshops and webinars to support residents in their efforts to get involved in the City's climate resolution goals. Stay up-to-date at cityofirvine.org/epworkshops.