 | GET A GREAT DEAL ON RAIN BARRELS - SUPPLIES LIMITED!
by Christine Wied
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A rain barrel discount program for City of Ventura residents is now available through Environmental Sustainability and Ventura Water. Working in cooperation with Smith Pipe and Supply at 3060 Sherwin Avenue in Ventura, the Channel/Bushman 60-gallon rain barrel with a retail value of $85.oo will be available for $42.oo plus tax at their store with a Rain Barrel Discount Voucher. Discount on up to two units per customer or residential address.
READ MORE.
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Green Business Certification
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Become a State Certified
Green Business
The Green Business Certification Program is currently available to office/retail and restaurant businesses within the City of Ventura, but other sectors will be added as the program gains traction. Although the certification requirements differ for each sector, the main environmental categories are waste, energy, water, pollution prevention, wastewater, and general staff education.
to set up your FREE consultation.
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Commercial Business Recycling It's THE LAW
as of
July 1, 2012
What every Ventura Business Needs to know!
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Conserving our natural resources is essential for the health and wellbeing of our community and our planet.
In keeping with this sentiment, beginning July 1, 2012, the State of California has made business recycling mandatory. According to the newly enacted legislation (AB341), businesses that generate 4 cubic yards or more of trash per week (the equivalent of a large commercial dumpster) and all multifamily complexes with five or more units (regardless of the amount of trash they generate), will be required to recycle.
Compliance is determined by solid waste service capacity. Businesses that share trash service accumulating the 4 cubic yards or more of trash per week must comply even if individually, the businesses do not generate that amount of trash. READ MORE.
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What Can YOU Do To Help Preserve Ventura's Environment?
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A Zero Waste Program
to reduce unwanted
mail & phone books
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Did you know that 11 billion pounds of mail was delivered in the US in 2008? That equals 900 pieces (100 lbs) for every household. Out of that amount, only 40% is recycled.
Over 660,000 tons of phone books enter the waste stream annually. Only 20% get recycled. Nearly 70% of adults in the U.S. "rarely or never" use the phone book.
If you are tired of getting tons of junk mail in your mailbox and would like to save trees, reduce the waste that goes into our landfills and care about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, there is a way you can make a difference.
Join along with the City of Ventura's Environmental Sustainability Division and sign up with Catalog Choice to opt-out of getting junk mail deliveries to your home and business.
Catalog Choice is the largest independent mail preference registry in the United States. When you sign up, it's FREE and you get to opt-out of receiving all forms of advertising mail and unwanted phone book deliveries. The great thing about Catalog Choice is that with a database of more than 5,500 titles (and increasing daily) that you choose what you want to opt-out of receiving.
Under the Fair Information Practice (FTC), your information will also be kept private and be protected.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN!
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Stormwater:
Best Management Practices
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Proper Fueling for Vehicles & Equipment
Spilled fuel can contribute contaminants to runoff from your facility. Improperly stored rags used to clean up spilled fuel may also result in an illegal discharge.
Implement Best Management Practices.- Cover fueling areas.
- Install perimeter drains or slope the surrounding pavement inward with drainage to a sump or an oil-water separator.
- Pave fueling areas with concrete rather than asphalt, or apply a sealant to protect asphalt from spilled fuels.
- Install vapor recovery nozzles to control drips.
- Discourage "topping off" fuel tanks.
- Use secondary containment when transferring fuel from tank trunks to tanks.
- Use absorbent materials or mop up small spills rather than hosing down the area. Remove the absorbent materials promptly.
- Use a rag cleaning service for contaminated rags used to clean up spills, which can not be disposed of in the regular trash.
- Transport industrial equipment to a designated fueling area rather than using mobile fueling.
- Clean up spills immediately to minimize safety hazards and prevent discharge to the storm drain system.
- Train all employees. Your success depends on a well-trained staff.
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Tree Lighting at Mission San Buenaventura
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Ventura's Natural Beauty
Let's keep it that way!
December 2012
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Spotlight On: Environmental Excellence Award Winners for 2012
Harrison & Sons and Red Brick Pizza
On December 13th, 2012, at the Annual Chamber of Commerce Poinsettia Awards Ceremony, Mayor Mike Tracy presented two local businesses, Harrison & Sons and Red Brick Pizza, with the 2012 Environmental Excellence Award.
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PATAGONIA: Green Visionaries
By Maryann Ridini Spencer
Patagonia Clothing is a Ventura-based company and designer of durable, multi-functional, quality, outdoor clothing and gear. In 2013, Patagonia celebrates their 40th anniversary and commitment to providing superior products as well as their ongoing commitment to the environment. 
"Patagonia has had a corporate culture focused on environmental preservation since it was founded by the Chouinards in the early 70s," said Elissa Loughman, Corporate Environmental Specialist for Patagonia. "The company works hard to make sure the business is as environmentally responsible as possible. That responsibility spans from our products and the factories we work with, to shipping and operations at our Ventura headquarters, and other offices, warehouses and stores worldwide."
READ MORE.
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An LED Wonderland ...
at the San Buenaventura Mission
For more than 70 years, the twin, 120-feet tall Norfolk pine trees outside the historic San Buenaventura Mission has been have been lit for the holidays. But while the trees, planted in the early 1880s, have stood the test of time, the decades-old incandescent light bulbs were in dire need of replacement.
This year, the Downtown Ventura Partners/Organization and the San Buenaventura Mission joined forces in celebration of a greener Christmas, raising money to purchase outdoor, LED lights to allow these magnificent trees to continue shine in multiple colors. The canopy of new lights use around 1,600 watts when lit. In contrast, the former strands of incandescent bulbs required heavy maintenance and consumed more than 20,000 watts when lit.
"It's a dramatic reduction, and will allow the trees to shine for special events, year-round," said Kevin Clerici, Executive Director of Downtown Ventura Partners. "We're proud and grateful the community stepped up to support such an energy-saving project."
The lights and the lighting design, which can be seen from Highway 101, were created by Holiday Technologies, which specializes in LED displays.
This year's tree-lighting ceremony on Nov. 30 pulled out all the stops - with seven local community choirs singing Christmas carols, refreshments, a live nativity scene presented by Holy Cross students, a visit from Santa and even falling snow.
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LIVIN' GREEN AT THE HOLIDAYS
By Christine Wied
The big feasts and holidays are upon us. This is a prime time for waste but with a little thought and planning, you can have a "greener" or lighter environmental footprint this year. Below are some great tips to green your holidays!
1. Plan the menu carefully. Before shopping, take an inventory of what you already have on hand so you don't duplicate. Buy only what you really need for your menu. Check your list twice so you don't forget something and have to make another trip to the store.
2. Shop locally and organic when possible. Don't forget your reusable shopping bags.
READ MORE!
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GREEN SAVERS: Maintain your HVAC heating equipment to save money and for lower utility bills
When the temperatures dip, the heating bills rise. Maintain your heating equipment to lower your utility bills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),  heating and cooling costs account for nearly half of a home's annual energy bill.
Dirt and neglect impact efficiency and operations of your HAVC system. They also cause heating system failure. Schedule an HVAC checkup with a licensed contractor to make sure your system is operating at peak performance.
Check your systems air filter every month and change it when it's dirty (every 3 months at a minimum). Dirty filters slow down air flow and make the system work hard to keep you either warm or cool and that wastes energy!
Find out how to improve your home using ENERGY STAR. CLICK HERE.
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THIS MONTH ON THE Sustainable Ventura TV SERIES 
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This month's Sustainable Ventura TV show takes a look at Ventura Water's Water Supply - where our drinking water comes from, what's in our water, how it is treated, why it tastes the way it does and certain water challenges impacting Ventura. The show talks with Ventura Water's Water Utility Manager Omar Castro and Luis Coccillos, Water Treatment Operator 3. Also on the show, a short history of Ventura Water, tips on keeping our water safe and clean and a behind-the-scenes look at the Water Take 1 Online Short Film Contest Awards.
 | "Sustainable Ventura"
November /December 2012 Show
Ventura Water's Water Supply |
Also watch the show weekly on Caps-TV!
  Sustainable Ventura airs on Caps-TV VTV's Channel 15, Thursdays at 8:30pm. It rebroadcasts Monday-Thursday and Saturdays at 9:00am, Sundays at 8:30pm and every other Wednesday at 8:30pm. LIKE US on Facebook, CLICK HERE!WATCH & SUBSCRIBE TO US ON YouTube, CLICK on the icon below! |
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NEWS Highlights from November 2012
| | November 8 - Water Take 1 Online Short Film Contest Awards - Watch the behind-the-scenes video at the November 8, 2012 ceremony at Brooks Institute of Photography's Ventura campus.
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Water: Take 1 Online Short Film Contest Awards News Story (short version)
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November 17 - Household Hazardous Waste Event
Every third Saturday of the month (except in December), the City hosts Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Events at Gold Coast Recycling. Appointments are required. To make an appointment, call (805) 652-4525, Monday-Thursday between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm. Also visit:
 If you happen to be wandering down the isles at Green Thumb Nursery at 1899 Victoria
Avenue, take notice of the "Less Toxic Pest Management" tags (for ants, snails and weeds), that direct consumers to more eco-friendly choices for their home, lawn and garden maintenance.
 LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE to Sustainable Ventura Podcasts on iTunes. CLICK HERE!
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Environmental Sustainability
is
Everyone's Responsibility!
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