The City of Encinitas Environmental Commission is proud to announce the opening of nominations for its prestigious Environmental Award Program (EAP), now in its ninth year. The EAP seeks to recognize deserving individuals, businesses, and non-profits for their commitment to environmental stewardship and outstanding environmental achievements in the city. Two Excellence in Environmental Stewardship awards have been historically granted to a for-profit business and a non-profit business each year since the program’s founding in 2014 by Environmental Commissioners Jim Wang and Joy Lyndes. In 2019, under the leadership of Environmental Commissioners Christian Adams and Inge Bisconer, a new Environmental Hero category was added to recognize both an adult and a youth that are not necessarily affiliated with a business.
“Encinitas is a very environmentally conscientious city, from an individual picking up trash on the beach or a trail to individuals and businesses setting new environmental standards,” said Commissioner Mark O’Connor. “It is right that the City of Encinitas recognize and celebrate these individuals and businesses that are making a difference in our community. Please nominate a person or business you feel is deserving.”
Encinitas’ Environmental Award Program is the first award of its kind in San Diego County and is one of few in the United States. For more information about the history of the award, please visit EAP History.
Nominate an individual or a business in Encinitas:
2023 Environmental Award Program Nomination Form
Nominations are open until 11:59pm, Friday, February 16, 2024
The 2022 Environmental Award Program Winners were announced at the June 14, 2023 City Council Meeting and awarded recycled glass trophies. Please see below for information on the 2022 winners.
Environmental Hero Award, Adult category – Alessandro Fraschetti
Alessandro has been the dedicated “Captain” of Surfrider’s Moonlight Beach cleanup since 2007. An avid surfer, Alessandro became tired of the amount of debris he saw in the ocean so he decided to do something about it. Under his supervision, an estimated 4,000 pounds of plastic and Styrofoam debris has been removed from our Encinitas beaches. The debris data he collected was used in successful single-use plastic ordinance campaigns in Encinitas and beyond. In the past 15 years, he has led nearly 150 cleanups, with approximately 16,000 volunteers in total.
Environmental Hero Award, Youth (under 18) category – Bella Zumot
Bella, a student at San Dieguito High School Academy, created the Pack a Snack Club at her school. Bella saw a post on social media of a person making "eco-bricks", in which wrappers from snack packages are densely stuffed into plastic water bottles. She created a short slide show and, together with other students, teachers, and the San Dieguito Academy Foundation, organized a collection for plastic wrappers in every classroom. Now Bella has an official club that makes eco-bricks which will be utilized to create eco-seating around the Academy’s campus next year.
Excellence in Environmental Stewardship, For-profit Business – Surfdog & Java Hut
Surfdog & Java Hut are two businesses housed in one commercial space, both family-owned and operated by Dave Kaplan since 1999. Java Hut welcomes locals and visitors alike with its healthy menu, friendly service, and great cup of coffee. Surfdog & Java Hut were recognized by the award program for the many environmentally conscious actions they have taken over the past several years. In 2019, Java Hut became an accredited member of the Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Restaurant program. Java Hut meets and exceeds the City’s single use plastic ordinance, Encinitas Municipal Code 11.27 and 11.26, by not using single use plastic bags for take-out even though the later code does not currently apply to restaurants. With the Covid shutdown, the owner took the opportunity to refurbish the Surfdog residence and did so in accordance with Build It Green’s Green Point Rated Gold standard. As part of the renovation, Java Hut and Surfdog Records also became certified by the California Green Business Network. Some of the criteria for these accreditations include reducing water use, conserving energy, promoting sustainable commutes, preventing pollution, using non-toxic cleaners, avoiding waste, recycling, and hiring local vendors.
Excellence in Environmental Stewardship, Non-profit Business –
Rob Machado Foundation
The Rob Machado Foundation was founded upon the belief that our planet needs environmental stewardship and it has taken action to do so. The foundation runs a water filling station program that serves a growing number of schools and public places and delivers clean, filtered water while encouraging the use of reusable water bottles rather than single-use plastic water bottles. They have installed water filling stations at 20 local schools including Paul Ecke Central Elementary, Ocean Knoll Elementary, Ada Harris Elementary, Park Dale Elementary, Cardiff Elementary, Capri Elementary, Flora Vista Elementary, Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary, Diegueno Middle School, Oak Crest Middle School, San Dieguito High School Academy, Sunset High School, La Costa Canyon High School, as well as the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA. The water filling stations are estimated to have avoided the generation of up to 500,000 plastic water bottles. Additionally, the Rob Machado Foundation hosts a monthly beach cleanup at Seaside Beach in Cardiff. To support cleanup efforts, they installed trash cans with lids at local beaches and provided recycling bins at local sports fields.
