The California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE), in partnership with the City of Irvine, CleanTech OC, and Southern California Edison, is holding a free workshop for Californians interested in learning more about life as a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) owner. Click here for the flyer.

This unique workshop provides a one-stop shop for information about:
- Vehicle Incentives – up to $10,000 for eligible vehicles!
- Southern California Edison’s PEV rates and programs
- Regional activity on public infrastructure
- Life as a PEV owner – hear it from your neighbors on the drivers panel!

A panel of your neighbors will share a range of their experiences from purchasing a PEV, installing a charging station as well as the financial benefits associated with making the switch to a PEV. Stay late to experience some of the newest PEVs to hit the roads in 2012!

– When: March 10, 2012 from 10:30am to 1pm

– Location: City of Irvine City Hall, 1 Civic Center Plaza

To register for the workshop, click here. If you have any questions or need any additional information please feel free to email or call Colin Santulli at 858-244-1195 or colin.santulli@energycenter.org. The California Center for Sustainable Energy, a San Diego-based non-profit, administers the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. CCSE is conducting workshops throughout the State in order to promote the CVRP and to educate consumers on electric vehicle technologies, new electric vehicle charging infrastructure and important consumer information regarding these vehicles.

Visit O’Reilly in the Culver Plaza to enter the Irvine Used Oil and Oil Filter Program Raffle by signing up for our e-newsletter and pledging to recycle your used oil filters. You’ll be eligible to win one of five O’Reilly $50 gift cards awarded from February through June of 2012.

Any resident that has recycled their oil filter during the promotion at the O’Reilly store and entered their name into the recycling log will automatically be eligible to win the grand prize of a $250 O’Reilly gift card at the end of June.

So, don’t forget to head over to O’Reilly after your next oil filter change and sign up for the raffle! With so many opportunities to benefit, everyone comes out a winner: you, your neighborhood, your city, and your environment!

Our city plays host to a number of regular car shows and car events for all of you car enthusiasts. Representatives from our Used Oil and Oil Filter Recycling Program will be present at some of these events. So, don’t be shy – come talk to us! We would love to hear what you think about our community program. And there’s no need to hunt around for information, here’s a handy list of these upcoming car shows and auto club meetings.

Event or Club – Meeting time and location:

• Cars and Coffee – gathers weekly on Saturday mornings at 7905 Gateway Blvd, Irvine, CA 92618
• Car & Bike Show – every Sunday from 11am-2pm at the Great Park Farmers Market
• Imports @ UCI – every Tuesday night at 7pm at Lans/Boomers parking lot at Harvard & Michelson
• Irvine Nissan Meet – every Wednesday night at the Tapioca Express: 5408 Walnut Ave. #G Irvine, CA 92604
• SoCal Subies – at Irvine Spectrum, see online calendar and forum for more details
• VW Jamboree The Original – meets once on August 19, 2012 at Oak Canyon Park, Irvine Lake

To obtain a FREE used oil container, call the Irvine Recycles hotline at (949) 724-7669.

Do you change your own oil? If so, you already know to collect your used oil and take it to a nearby collection center. However, DID YOU KNOW you should bring in your used oil filters as well? Used oil filters contain about a pound of steel and over a cup of oil, even after draining. It’s vital we keep these non-renewable resources out of the trash and in use.

Therefore, to help make Irvine greener and cleaner, we’ve started the Used Oil Filter Recycling Movement, and in the next few months, observant do-it-yourselfers will begin to notice ways to get involved. At your local Irvine O’Reilly Auto Parts store in Culver Plaza, you can enter a free raffle contest for the chance to win $50 gift cards every month! Also, you might see us at the next car show or car club event you attend.

Through future editions of the Used Oil and Oil Filter e-Newsletter, you’ll receive two coupons: one for you and one for your neighbor. Bring your coupon to the participating Irvine O’Reilly Auto Parts store, along with a used oil filter, and you may exchange the old filter for a new one of your choice, for FREE! Then, share the second coupon with another Irvine resident. Also, be on the lookout for Mr. Oil Filter’s television debut, where he’ll join you in spreading the message that used oil filters are recyclable!

Don’t forget to tell your friends and neighbors they can also be a part of these promotions by signing up for our e-Newsletter.

Now is the time to start thinking about a spring garden. University of California Master Gardeners share their knowledge and practical tips on planning, creating healthy soil, water management, planting from seed, pest control, growing edibles, using compost and mulch, plus growing edibles and ornamentals in containers.

March 5 – The Practical Gardener
Spring is on the way for the Western gardener. Have you begun to dream about what, when and where to plant your spring/summer garden? OC Master Gardeners have answers to simplify the process.
Part 1 – planning and siting your garden in the optimal spot for you and the plants you wish to grow- Edibles and/or ornamentals that thrive in our climate. Planting from seed, or shopping knowledgeably for transplants. How to prepare your soil for success.
Part 2 – planting almost anything in a container, how to build a raised bed, and interplanting edibles with your ornamentals.
Both these sessions will include planting demos, hand-outs, Q&A time, and a raffle with plant prizes.

March 12 – Tomatoes A-Z
Tomatoes are among the most popular vegetables grown in the home garden. They also prompt many management questions. This session will be taught by our most experienced and knowledgeable tomato experts. It begins with a brief history and origins of the tomato, and then gets down to the nitty-gritty. Techniques for planting, staking, caging, spacing, pruning, fertilizing and watering tomatoes and the best varieties for our climate. Also included is an overview of pests and diseases that are common in tomatoes. Don’t think you have room for tomatoes? Our tomato gurus will demonstrate how to make an inexpensive self-watering tomato container that can be placed anywhere in your yard. Hand-outs, Q&A time and a raffle with plant prizes.

Date/Time: Monday, March 5 & 12 / 6-8:30 p.m.
Location: Irvine Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Conference and Training Center on 1st floor
Course #: 108234

To register for this free class, visit: cityofirvine.org or call 949-724-6610.

New state regulations will require most businesses to contract for recycling services by July 1, 2012. A copy of the regulations can be found at CalRecycle. To ensure businesses are prepared, the City of Irvine offers free assistance to any Irvine business. This program is designed to help businesses start or expand recycling and waste minimization programs. In many cases, recycling programs can save a business money. Every business generates trash, so now is a great time to determine the best recycling program for your business and possibly reduce your trash bill every month.

In addition to businesses, the new state regulations also require apartment communities and multi-family housing with 5 or more units to recycle. Many Irvine multi-family communities currently offer recycling programs to its residents.

Recycling is good for the environment, good for business and good for your bottom line. Take advantage of this free program today and learn how to reduce, reuse and recycle. For more information about the program, questions about the regulations, or to find out if your business falls under the regulatory threshold, go to www.cityofirvine.us or call the City’s Recycling Hotline at 949-724-7669.

To heighten awareness for recycling in the Irvine community, the City of Irvine, in partnership with Waste Management of Orange County, implemented the Irvine Recycling Champion Recognition Program for Irvine residents in fall 2011. The purpose of the program is to not only recognize and reward residents, who exceed expectations when it comes to recycling, but also encourage and motivate all residents to recycle.

How the program works: On a quarterly basis, Waste Management drivers will monitor the recycling efforts of residents with curbside collection service to determine who consistently fills their recycling cart or who has more than one recycling cart and fills up the carts each week for collection. Based on the drivers’ feedback, Waste Management will select a resident to receive the Irvine Recycling Champion award and present the resident with a gift.

The City of Irvine will annually recognize the four residents selected to receive the Irvine Recycling Champion award at a City Council presentation in November in honor of America Recycles Day (November 15) and will be featured on the City’s Environmental Programs website.