Welcome to Waste Not Consulting!

News and Achievements

Our Founder on FOX 5!

Want to do more to cut down on waste at your workplace? Our CEO, Ashlee Baker, offered some insightful, real-world strategies in a Fox 5 'Earth Day' segment. She breaks down straightforward steps businesses can take to reduce waste, support employees, and build a more sustainable work environment.

Articles & Blog

News Segment on Fox 5

Our founder proudly represented Waste Not Consulting as a host on the Earth Day news segment at Fox 5, sharing tips on how to create and maintain a zero waste office.

San Diego Business Journal "2025 CEO of the Year Awards"

Our CEO, Ashlee Baker, was nominated!

https://www.sdbj.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SDBJ-CEO-of-the-Year-Awards-2025-Finalists.pdf

Carlsbad Business Journal "Most Influential Women in Carlsbad"

https://carlsbad.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/CBJ_0324_web_v2.pdf

Newsletters

You don’t wanna miss this 🍀 be sure to register (it’s free!), bring a friend, and say hi to WNC 🙌🏼 we’ve got something new to share with you 🌈✨

As 2025 comes to a close… what new sustainable actions will you commit to building next year? ♻️✨🪩🎊

We are excited to see some new CA regulations take effect (bye bye plastic bags 🛍️), help our clients increase diversion and reach their waste goals, and continue to be inspired by the Earth-loving community around us!

#zerowaste #sustainability #uselessplastic #greenbusiness lowwastelife

How do you zero waste your holiday? 🎊🥂♻️

We went waste free (and low emissions) by going full veggie 🌱setting the table with cloth napkins, reusable dishware (even for leftovers!) and @toogoodtogo.usa surprise pastries were used for our dessert!

We’ll be sharing more sustainable holiday inspiration throughout the season - comment or @ us on anything that inspires you!

Warm wishes to all and a warm welcome to our newest full time team members Devin and Nicole 👩🏼‍🍳👩🏻‍🍳 - who may be moonlighting as chefs because that Mac & bruschetta…👏🏼!

#zerowaste #sustainablelifestyle #ecofriendly #wastefree #partytips #uselessplastic #sustainability #greenbusiness #plantpower

San Diego 📣 Climate Week begins on WEDNESDAY🤩

Head over to @sdclimateweek for the 100+ incredible gatherings online & around the county! 🌮 Take a midday break on Tuesday the 7th & Talk Trash with us - we're hosting online!

Only 20 spots total - use the link in bio to snag yours!

One lucky winner will get a gift card to their local refillery... Do you see yours?

🌎@earthwellrefill
🌈@vesselrefill
💫@shine__naturalmarket
🌀@originsgrocer

We took a little train ride to...
🚂🚂
235 Santa Clara Street aka... Patagonia Great Pacific Iron Works! Where we joined the Ventura 1% For the Planet Session to mingle with business partners and environmental organizations.

Patagonia's a company we look up to, and can't say enough good things about. If you want to be inspired too: highly recommend starting with reading #LetMyPeopeGoSurfing.

Had such a great time connecting over the shared goal to "work hand in hand with the communities we serve" and proud to say we did it 100% Car Free (thanks @amtrakcalifornia)... Not pictured: "team bonding" AKA scouring the vintage shop & getting our reusable cups topped up with delicious local coffee and chai ☕️🤩thank you @1percentftp and @patagoniavta

We are a proud partner of the 2025 Net Zero Conference!✌️Hosted by @verdicalgroup at the Los Angeles Convention Center on October 1, this event will feature global sustainability experts in Climate, Net Zero, ESG, Equity, Carbon, and Resilience.

Join us for zero carbon learning opportunities, exciting keynotes, an in-person Expo, and more!

🌇✨🪩Visit NetZeroConference.com to register and use code NZMP15 for 15% off! #NetZeroFuture

💻Register today for the National Zero Waste Conference, a two-day virtual education and networking event! https://zwconference.org/
📅Oct 22: Zero Waste Businesses and Institutions
📅Oct 23: Zero Waste Communities
🌻General Ticket $200
🌎ZWIA & Zero Waste USA Affiliate $100
🧑‍🎓Student $50
👉Register Here: https://events.humanitix.com/nzwc2025
@zero_waste_usa
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#zerowaste #zerowasteusa #zwconference2025 #compost #reuse #repair #climatechange #reduce #circulareconomy #zerowastecommunity #zerowastebusiness #greenjobs #Jobs

Did you know: WNC is Certified 1% For the Planet! By contributing 1% of our annual sales alongside thousands of 1% for the Planet members: over $700 million has been raised to support environmental partners around the globe. This year, our team chose all local, San Diego County-based environmental organizations! Swipe to see the organizations we chose this year ➡️

🐋 Wildcoast / Costasalvaje
@wildcoastcostasalvaje

🫜 Second Chance Youth Garden
@scyouthgarden

🌏 Sustainability is Sexy
@sis_sandiego

#OnePercentForThePlanet, #BeOnePercentBetter

Unbox an open box with us!

We avoid “NEW” items when there is a perfectly good option secondhand. We save some $$ and communicate to companies that programs that promote REUSE are good for their bottom line and our home planet, too! 💸🌎🧩

What about you? Where can you choose secondhand over new?

PS— we will even save and reuse the bubble wrap before recycling through @terracycle or @itsplastic_beach 🫧

#sustainability #secondhand #zerowaste #greenbusiness #unboxing

Spoiler alert: Recycling plastic isn’t the sustainable solution the industry claims it to be🥴 BUT it’s a great day to remember we can REFUSE before the other ‘3 R’s’! 🤩

Inspired? Confused? A bit of both? The WNC Zero Waste Tuesday Series can help: Our Director, Ashlee, dives into the challenges of recycling, and provides 5 weeks of actionable tips and tricks to refuse and rethink - so you can minimize recycling and waste of all kinds! After all #zerowaste doesn’t happen overnight.

Leave us a 💚 in the comments and we’ll DM you access to the full series in honor and celebration of #plasticfreejuly!

🎇Happy Plastic Free July!🎇 How do we keep our #PlasticFreePledge ? So glad you asked!

🍽️Supplying our break area with reusables
🫙Using our own bags, mugs, and containers when we go out
📍Supporting businesses that offer plastic-free options or return systems (hello @choicejuicery 🥒)
🪴And of course, composting!

Many more habits & strategies to be shared, but we're most excited to hear what others are doing to celebrate #plasticfreejuly ! 🤝 Remember: starting small is better than not at all! 💙

#refuseplastic #reduce #reuse #recycle #compost #zerowaste
#sustainablebuilding #sustainability

In the Wonderful World of Waste Not:

♻️Diversion refers to how much discarded materials are saved from landfilling via recycling and other methods.

Diverting waste means materials have a higher, better compared to landfill or incineration.

California sets minimum diversion levels for various materials, projects, and businesses…

Learn WHY on our blog, linked in bio!

#diversion #diversionrate #recycling #compost #zerowaste
#sustainablebuilding #seattle

Do you believe that #foodwaste is a problem that can be solved? Us too! Excited to be in Seattle with @refed_fightsfoodwaste for the #FoodWasteSummit25, the premier food waste event in the U.S. 🥑🍉🥗

#greenevents #sustainability #climateaction

Wonderful news! The highly impactful California Green Business Network has a new board member… it’s WNC Co-founder and Director of Sustainability, Ashlee!

She brings a deep, multi-generational commitment to sustainability to this role.

Did you know? Each year @greenbusinessca collectively save:

>36 MILLION pounds of waste
>100 MILLION gallons of water
>50 MILLION kWh of energy, and
>37K TONS of GHG emissions

Can’t wait to watch this impact grow!
♻️💧⚡️☁️

#sustainability #zerowaste #greenbusiness #carlsbad

Have you ever wondered what happens to everything that goes “away”? Us too!

Most “trash” is made up of valuable materials which we:
📷 Document
📊 Analyze
✍️ Identify ways to reduce, reuse and better recycle

♻️Conclusion: A world without waste is possible! Check out our blog featured on @usgbcca on how our clients use these insights! #lowwastelife #uselessplastic #sustainability #zerowaste

🐄 Turns out cow farts aren’t the only source of methane pollution in our atmosphere… Did you know: 20% of California’s methane is from FOOD rotting in landfills!

Our beneficial worm and microbe friends can’t do their decomposition jobs in that kind of environment but, thanks to #sb1383 : green bins have rolled out across the state and composting infrastructure continues to grow. 🪱💪🏽🚛

Comment with a food emoji & we’ll tell you if it’s a GO✅ or NO❌ for the compost 🫐🥝🍥

Happy #internationalcompostawarenessweek and remember ~~ think before you toss🍃🚮

We’re thrilled to share that our cofounder Ashlee reached the finals for 2025 CEO of the Year! A huge congratulations to all the honorees 🎉

Ashlee's transformed the way businesses approach waste management, helping businesses adopt zero waste strategies that are both financially and environmentally beneficial. Her expertise has led to tangible results, with thousands of tons of material diverted away from landfills. Beyond her professional achievements, Ashlee is dedicated to education and community engagement.

We are blessed to have such an exceptional CEO with an unending commitment to sustainability, philanthropy, and business innovation. HUGE thank you to @nadi_marketing & @sdbusinessjournal for the recognition 🙏 We appreciate you!

#sdbj #CEO #TopLeaders #SanDiegoCEO #Leaders #EcoEntrepreneur #PlanetOverProfit #WasteLess #CircularEconomy #SustainableDevelopment

Some small moments from our most favorite time of year, Earth Month!
🤝 connecting with new and familiar friends
👀 innovative and interactive sustainable activities
💡insightful conversations

Thanks to all the amazing event organizers, vendors, and attendees and cheers to going green and celebrating Mother Earth this April and Beyond 💫🌎🌲

♻️ 5 Easy Tips for a Zero Waste Party for Kids of All Ages 🎉🌱⁣

1️⃣ Prep ahead = less packaging, less stress!⁣ 🙌
2️⃣ Colorful snacks + tongs = no mess, no trash✨⁣
3️⃣ DIY buffet = happy tummies & no wasted food 🍽️⁣
4️⃣ Ditch the disposables — go compostable or washable/reusable 🌴
5️⃣ Sort it out! Clear signs, color-coded bins = zero confusion ✅⁣
⁣
Small swaps = big impact for the planet 💚
Which tip would you try first — or do you have your own zero waste party hack? 👇
#ZeroWasteParty #SustainableLiving #EcoKids #LowWasteLife #PartyTips #UseLessPlastic #plasticfreejuly

How do you know a company isn’t very earth friendly? They go all out for Earth Day... and go quiet the rest of the year... 🤐

At WNC, we exist to drive zero waste initiatives for our clients because we see USING LESS & WASTING LESS as a way of GIVING BACK to the Earth, every single day.

We know we aren’t alone in this work to give back to Mother Nature so 3 years ago, we became a Certified 1% For the Planet business.

🌎What does that mean?
At least 1% of annual sales revenue is donated to approved, nonprofit environmental partners. We submit annual documentation to 1%FTP for review and recertification - accountability is key!

🌍How does that look for a small business?
It depends! The 1% can be monetary or nonmonetary giving like volunteer time, product/services, or a combination of both. Like every act of activism: you do what you can, with what you have.

🌏In 2024 we chose to donate to and volunteer with Surfrider San Diego as our 1% environmental partner and in 2025: the entire team at WNC will have a say in where our donation goes. Are you a 1% FTP environmental partner or business? Tell us how you celebrate Earth Day Every Day!

#onepercentfortheplanet #earthmonth #earthday

Happy Monday! Hard to believe Earth Day 2025 is just around the corner! Sharing these tips from our appearance on @fox5sandiegomorningnews last year so your workplace can head toward zero waste! It's easier than you think! 📺🌱💡

Why Waste Audits Matter: The Key to Reducing Waste at the Source 🌎

If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it. Waste audits provide the critical data needed to understand what’s really being thrown away—and more importantly, what shouldn’t be.

By conducting waste audits, businesses can:
♻ Identify Waste Streams – See exactly what materials are being discarded and uncover opportunities for recycling, composting, reduce, and reuse.
📉 Reduce Overall Waste Generation – Find ways to eliminate unnecessary waste at the source, cutting costs and environmental impact.
💰 Optimize Waste Services – Right-size collection services to avoid overpaying for unnecessary pickups or excess landfill disposal.
✅ Ensure Compliance – Stay ahead of regulations like SB 1383 by tracking diversion rates and improving waste sorting practices.

At Waste Not Consulting, we help businesses turn waste audits into actionable strategies that drive sustainability and cost savings. Because the best way to manage waste is to create less of it in the first place.

Have you ever been surprised by what a waste audit uncovered? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

Another Trip Around the Sun! 🌎♻️🎉

Grateful for another year of life, love, and the opportunity to make a positive impact! As I celebrate my birthday, I’m reflecting on the many blessings I’ve had and the ways I can continue to contribute to a more sustainable future.

This year, I’m celebrating waste-free by:
🎁 Asking for experiences, not things
🎂 Skipping disposable partyware & choosing reusable alternatives
🍽️ Enjoying a delicious meal with locally sourced ingredients
🎟️ Supporting a cause that matters instead of receiving gifts (1% FTP)
🌱 Planting something to give back to the earth

Every year is a gift, and I want to spend mine making a difference! Here’s to many more years of learning, growing, and creating a world with less waste and more impact. 💚

Join me in celebrating sustainably—what’s your favorite low-waste way to mark a special occasion? Drop your ideas below! ⬇️♻️

🌎✨ April is almost here, and we’re gearing up for an exciting Earth Month! Waste Not Consulting is thrilled to participate in a variety of events focused on sustainability, waste reduction, and community engagement. Stay tuned as we share where we’ll be, how you can get involved, and ways to make a positive impact for the planet! ♻️🌿 #EarthMonth #WasteNotConsulting #Sustainability #ZeroWaste

2024 in 24-ish seconds!
🍏 WNC became a Certified Green Business! Did you know @carlsbadcagov was the first city in San Diego County to join the California Green Business Network? There are now over 4,000 certified businesses in 40 cities that are committed to environmentally sustainable practices. WNC proudly represents in Carlsbad at the Innovator Level.
🌊 We celebrated 5 years in business by donating to @surfridersandiego, our 1% For the Planet partner & hosting a cleanup with the community!
🤓 We attended a record number of events, from Net Zero to CRRA to the Zero Waste Symposium and more. We always walk away inspired after the @sdfoodsys Annual Gathering where stewards of the planet from across the San Diego food landscape come together to learn, listen and collaborate!

Here's to another year full of learning, zero waste ways, and milestones in 2025!

Hello, Instagram! We are Waste Not Consulting. Our passion is providing zero waste solutions to businesses, commercial properties, municipalities and more. We make sense of the wide world of waste for you, help clients save money & do a little kindness to the planet in the process. Swipe through & get to know our team!

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News and Achievements

Articles & Blog

Why Waste Audits are Essential for Smarter Property Management

Don’t Waste- Donate!

Understanding Landfill Diversion: What It Is & Why Diversion Rate

California Compost Law: What Businesses Need to Know

How to Make Earth Day a Year-Round Commitment

News Segment on Fox 5

San Diego Business Journal "2025 CEO of the Year Awards"

Carlsbad Business Journal "Most Influential Women in Carlsbad"

Newsletters

Earth Day Newsletter

Waste Not Consulting Monthly Newsletter Highlights CEO Message and Featured Services

Follow us on Instagram at @wastenotconsulting

News and Achievements

Articles & Blog

Why Waste Audits are Essential for Smarter Property Management

Don’t Waste- Donate!

Understanding Landfill Diversion: What It Is & Why Diversion Rate

California Compost Law: What Businesses Need to Know

How to Make Earth Day a Year-Round Commitment

News Segment on Fox 5

San Diego Business Journal "2025 CEO of the Year Awards"

Carlsbad Business Journal "Most Influential Women in Carlsbad"

Newsletters

Earth Day Newsletter

Waste Not Consulting Monthly Newsletter Highlights CEO Message and Featured Services

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Follow us on Instagram at @wastenotconsulting