Here at Deep Blue we spend a lot of time playing out in our environment.  And we know that our actions as a business impact where we spend so much of our time when we aren’t in the shop.  As such, we try our best to negatively impact the world as little as possible (and we’re always looking for more and better ways to help); here are some of the things we’re doing: 

Ozone Pool – Having a pool on site creates many great advantages to both scuba classes and swim classes. However, it can also be a drain on resources. We have an ozone-sanitized pool. Ozone is a most effective cleaning agent - produced from air. It is more effective than chlorine, producing only non-harmful debris and oxygen as its only byproducts. We use only the minimum amount of chlorine as mandated by the health code drinking water standards. 

Battery Recycling Center – As one of the only Suunto Computer Repair Centers, we go through a lot of batteries. Instead of throwing them all in the trash, we collect and send them out for recycling.

Recycled Neoprene – There are a lot of discarded wetsuits just sitting in landfills. Our store mats are made from recycled wetsuits - and we've also got recycled coasters and bag tags! 

Original, refurbished, acid stained floor – When Pacific Sporting Goods became Deep Blue Scuba and Swim Center the shop was basically gutted. As much of the original architecture that could be salvaged was, including the cement floor that was acid-stained creating the unique, ever lasting effect that you see today.  

LED Lighting – By now, most people know that florescent lights use require less energy than their incandescent counterparts and LED lighting using even less than florescents. All of the lighting at Deep Blue is LED throughout the store, repair area, pool deck - everywhere. They last longer and use even less energy than fluorescents.

Waste Materials – In addition to recycling bottles and cans, all of our waste is taken by Serv-Wel Disposal and Recycling to SERRF where they check for toxic materials and recyclable materials before burning it. During that process they generate enough electricity to power the plant and sell the excess to Southern California Edison. The waste steam is condensed and recycled back through the boilers while the waste ash is back-end recycled and used as road base materials at local landfills.   

Dive Against Debris – As local divers, we’re very aware of the debris and pollution that enters our waters from the San Gabriel & LA Rivers –as well as our own beaches- so we hold bi-monthly Project AWARE Dive Against Debris dives by the Belmont Pier. Every dive we’ve sorted and logged the debris, and this has started to paint a picture of how much debris enters our waters. Having collected over 4,000 pieces of trash so far we’ve realized it’s going to be a constant battle to keep our waters clean and are excited about giving people the opportunity to participate in their community with these regular outings and free rentals. You can check out Project AWARE's debris map right here.

BYOC / #laststraw – Bring Your Own Cup. At our dive club meetings we'll supply the beverage, but you've got to supply your own reusable cup. We noticed how much waste was created at the meetings and decided to cut back by being rid of single use cups.
     At all of the cleanups we've noticed that plastic straws are far and away the most common thing we find so we ask that you start asking your favorite restaurants for no straw to lessen the use/demand for them. It saves the restaurant resources and we're less likely to find the straw at one of our cleanups. No straw, please. Or, as we learned in Cozumel - "No Popote" (rhymes with Cenote)!