Solana Center’s Eco Container unveiled at San Diego County Fair

The Solana Center introduced its Eco Container on opening day of the San Diego County Fair.

The re-purposed shipping container, which has been transformed into a center for environmental innovation featuring solar energy, a greywater demo system, rain barrels, composting, drought-tolerant landscaping and California-friendly gardens, was officially unveiled on June 3 with County Supervisor Dave Roberts cutting the ribbon. Roberts also spoke and Encinitas Deputy Mayor Catherine Blakespear was in attendance.

Creaters of the Eco Container, sponsored by Kashi, say it is designed to educate and inspire visitors about sustainability, and demonstrates how to incorporate energy-saving, water-efficient and eco-friendly practices into our daily lives.

The container is set in the fair’s Infield Farm. Fairgoers can see vegetable gardens, watch worms turn food scraps into rich soil amendment, visit a butterfly garden, see a colony of bees in action. In addition, the Center’s interactive booth, sponsored by the city of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department, features free composting demonstrations 2:30 p.m. on Sundays through the end of June.