SSE Joins Supv Cox at IEA Earth Day

Sustainable Surplus participated in the Earth Fair sponsored by Industry Environmental Association (IEA) at the San Diego Operations Center.
SD County Supervisor Greg Cox (@SupervisorCox) presided over the presentations, recognizing the participants for their work in the conservation of our natural resources. The theme this year was for water conservation.

Did you know every time you buy a used or repurposed item you contribute to water conservation?Yep!  Water is saved by not having to manufacture something new!

SD County Supv Greg Cox addresses attendees

Sandy Atkinson, SSE Board Advisor, tends to our table

Hundreds of visitors came to learn about SSE

VOTE FOR SUSTAINABLE SURPLUS in Grant Competition

Please vote for Sustainable Surplus in its quest for this Grant & to Change the world for sustainability & social equity!

All-in 4 Change
gifted by
Harrah's Resort Southern CA

$100,000 to support nonprofits that make Southern California a more vibrant place to live and work.  

12 Nonprofit Organizations to share this prize:
1st Place: $40,000        
2nd Place: $20,000
3rd Place: $10,000        
4th Place: $5,000
5th Place: $4,000
7 Honorable Mentions - $3,000 each

If you love our mission -- supporting local schools and nonprofits with much-needed items, repurposed from local companies... Please Vote for Us!

VOTE: All-In4 Change

Just click on the link, enter Sustainable Surplus in the search bar and vote!

Voting closes April 25th

SSE Board Director's Son Becomes Eagle Scout

Board Director, and retired US Marine officer, Brian Grana celebrates with his son, Jacob, as he is inducted as an Eagle Scout.  Only about 5% of Boy Scouts earn this rank, the highest achievement rank in Scouting.  

According to the National Eagle Scout Association, it takes several years  to achieve and a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. To advance, a Boy Scout must pass specific tests that are organized by requirements and merit badges.
 Of the 130+ merit badges available, 21 must be earned to qualify for Eagle Scout, including: First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Cooking, Environmental Science, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Camping, and Family Life. 

Join us in congratulating Jacob!  According to dad, Brian, "It's one done, one to go," as they prepare his other son, Luke, for this same achievement.

Brian Grana Celebrates with sons Jacob (right) and Luke (left)

SSE Executive Director Cited in Local Book

The newly released book, "Legendary Locals of Carlsbad," by Cynthia Johnson, features Sustainable Surplus' executive director, Sue Prelozni.  The book, which hit the shelves April 4th, is an historical recapitulation of the creation of Carlsbad, its visionaries and evolution as a tourist hub, and fast-forwards to present-day Carlsbad.

"Legendary Locals" presents several contemporary citizens who are contributing to the culture, economic growth and sustainability of Carlsbad.   "I am honored to be included with so many people who are really making a difference in this community," said Prelozni.

There will be a book signing Sunday, April 10 at the Carlsbad Historical Society. 

Women Leadership Day Thursday March 24

Womens Leadership Day Hosted by The Servant Leadership Institute and LPGA

This event aims to create business and professional relationships by providing an exclusive and engaging forum for like-minded professional women. And our leader, Sue Prelozni, will be attending!

Keynote speaker and motivator is  Collette Carson  @ColetteCarlson

Energy Saving Apps on Your Phone

There’s an app for just about everything these days. Our smartphones have a variety of sensors and meters in them that make all sorts of innovative functionality possible. There are a variety of apps that make monitoring your energy consumption as easy as opening an app on your phone. Here are two apps that are designed to make being a homeowner a little bit easier.

WattBuddy for iOS 

Available for free for iOS only, WattBuddy is an incredibly useful, intuitive, and user-friendly electricity meter reader. By taking a picture of your electricity meter and connecting with your account through your electricity provider, WattBuddy can show your daily, monthly, and annual usage as well as ways you can save on electricity. 

Standby Energy Cost Calculator for Android

 While it’s true that the name isn’t very catchy, this app can definitely catch you some savings. Did you know that leaving appliances and even your cell phone charger plugged into the wall while they are not in use allows them to continue consuming energy? Some call this ‘trickling’ while others have termed this ‘vampire energy.' 

This app can estimate all the trickled energy your appliances, electronics, and chargers are wasting when you’re not using them. The figure can actually be quite alarming. The good news is that this app can help you to eliminate that unnecessary pull on your electricity, and it’s available for your Android smartphone for free.

Content provided by Modernize

Valentine's BYOB with a Twist Raises $8000

More than 120 teachers and nonprofit staff showed up for the “Valentine’s BYOB – With a Twist.”  The event was so named because in addition to the ritual Bring-Your-Own-Box for free office supplies, there were hundreds of fun home décor and furnishings available.

A recent donation of more than 1200 line items from a popular retailer drew in the crowds.  Items included pillows, lanterns, patio furniture and candles.

The warehouse looked extraordinarily bright and colorful, according to SSE executive director Sue Prelozni. 

Items were priced up to 90% off of their normal retail price.  Knowing this, the attendees lined up at the door – making BYOB look more like Black Friday at Macy’s.  All revenue goes directly to support the operations of SSE.
In addition, Milton's donated cases of its new gluten-free chips and cookies for everyone to imbibe while "shopping."  All made for a memorable event.