Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Hutchins.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in San Diego and spent all of my time in the water (surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, boogy-boarding, etc.) as well as camping and hiking. Because of this close connection with nature, my passion to improve the deteriorating environment around me grew. I spent my early 20’s traveling around the world while learning to speak Spanish, all the while witnessing first hand how bad the environmental issues are, especially in undeveloped countries that are being exploited as a dumping ground for the rest of the worlds waste.
I spent a year in Tijuana working with a grassroots non-profit group called “Comida no Bombas.” We collected unwanted food that would normally go to waste in the landfill from markets and restaurants to feed to the homeless on Mexico’s side of the Tijuana Border, most of whom were children and young adults.
Throughout my time traveling, I became extremely aware of the danger the world was in and wanted to spend my life finding ways to improve the health of mother Earth. I chose to get a degree from UCSD in Environmental Systems and dove into the world of zero-waste and environmental remediation. I began working as an intern for I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) two years ago and fell in love with the world of community engagement and environmental activism.
I started working as a Recycling Programs Coordinator for ILACSD in April of this year after finishing my degree at UCSD last fall, I am now in a position where I am able to influence people around me positively and through environmental action. I give advice to the community on how to reduce, repurpose and recycle their waste as well as discussing practical ways to make a positive change in their environment. I love my job and I love being a part of the solution.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, I think no path worth taking is easy or smooth. I worked three jobs for many years trying to save money to get myself into college and be able to support myself without working a full-time job, while simultaneously affording the cost of books and college fees. I have struggled very hard to be able to put myself through college, especially trying to afford the cost of living here in San Diego.
I had to take out many loans and apply for grants to afford it and at times, it seemed impossible. I was homeless for at least a year during my time in community college, sleeping on friends couches or in my car. I wondered many times if I would have enough to eat that day and walked nearly everywhere, or if I could afford it I would take the bus. All of this helped me to become the person I am today and to always appreciate every bit of good fortune. It also helped me understand the difference between desire and necessity, which I now translate into my daily life on matters of reducing my footprint and making decisions that are environmentally aware.
Please tell us about your work. What should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
ILACSD’s mission is to lead and inspire our community to actively conserve and enhance the environment through example, outreach, and local involvement. Our vision is of a zero waste, litter-free, and environmentally engaged San Diego region. I work in the Recycling Department, where we actively work with communities all over San Diego City and County and providing them with resources to recycle better, while simultaneously reducing the amount of waste created through awareness and practice.
We have a website called wastefreeSD.org whos’ key function is to work as a search engine for recycling resources. You can simply put in your zip code, the community you live in and the item you wish to recycle and our database of over 2,000 centers will match you up with the closest resources based on the item and what is closest to you. I also manage the hotline associated with this website to assist people with these resources.
We also manage the stormwater hotline that deals with flooding, illegal dumping and general watershed contamination issues for the County. Among these things, I also provide information on hazardous, electronic and universal waste recycling for San Diego’s residents. When I’m not in the office working with the website and hotline, I am out working events representing the ILACSD and engaging the community through volunteer recruitment, recycling information and discussing general environmental issues with citizens all over San Diego.
At work, I am known for being the go-to person for any questions having to do with recycling. I am also known for my gardening and composting knowledge. I am known for being an avid surfer and a San Diego native, as well as a zero-waste pioneer.
We are very proud of the level of change, impact and awareness we have given to the San Diego community. Our volunteers have removed over half a million pounds of trash and debris each year from our neighborhoods, creeks, canyons and coastlines. ILACSD has been around since 1954 making positive environmental changes within the community.
We are extremely proud of our staff, board members and volunteers who have made this all possible. I would say that what sets us apart from others is that we are the longest-standing environmental non-profit organization in San Diego. We also engage around 60,000 youth and adult volunteers each year with their community and environment. We make change through example and we work hard every day to make a difference.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I would say that my proudest moment of my career would be working in the Recycling Department with ILACSD and all of the time I have spent making a change by being a part of this organization. ILACSD truly cares about the Earth, the many issues we face in improving the state of the world, and we take action to influence the community and positively impact our environment.
I have been most proud in my career when I come to work every day. I know that when I come to work, I am doing what’s most important and I leave every day with a sense of pride in the decisions I make and the people I have helped.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2508 Historic Decatur Rd, Suite 150
San Diego, CA 92106 - Website: http://www.wastefreesd.org
- Phone: 6197042780
- Email: nhutchins@cleansd.org
- Instagram: iloveacleansd
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iloveacleansd
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/iloveacleansd
- Other: http://www.cleansd.org
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