 | 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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Ventura's Natural Beauty
Let's keep it that way!
January 2013
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YES! You can Recycle Cartons in Ventura 
Juice, milk, soup, wine and other carton packaging made from high-quality paper is now acceptable in residential (in the blue bin) and commercial establishments (in the white commercial bin) in the City of Ventura.
To recycle, all you need to do is simply rinse, then place empty cartons in your recycling bin with your plastic, metal and glass containers. READ MORE.
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SIDECAR RESTAURANT: Delicious & Sustainable
By Maryann Ridini Spencer
 | | Chef Tim Kilcoyne Executive Chef and Owner of Sidecar Restaurant in Ventura |
"Simple, Seasonal and Fresh" is Chef Tim Kilcoyne's philosophy when it comes the cuisine at his popular Ventura-based restaurant Sidecar, now entering its tenth year.
"Simplicity is what drives my cuisine," said Chef Tim. "My ingredients are the stars that I want to shine. I'm also a big advocate of keeping sustainable by shopping local."
Chef Tim also believes in getting his produce right here in Ventura - at the local farmer's markets. "It helps the local economy," said Chef Tim. "Buying what's in season, whether it be blood oranges in the winter or heirloom tomatoes in the summer, also gives my customers the freshest product, literally from the farm to their table.
 | SideCar Restaurant
3929 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93003 |
While it's no secret that while shopping local cuts down on transportation costs and green house gas emissions when food is purchased locally vs. transported across county and state lines, in Chef Tim's case, growing up on his family's ranch in an agricultural community in the Antelope Valley gave him his sustainable start. On the ranch, Tim developed a deep love and respect for farming, and the result that dedicated farming produced. Protecting the environment that nurtures us also instilled him with a sense of pride. Chef Tim takes what he's learned incorporating eco-friendly practices at Sidecar. READ MORE.
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City of Ventura Helps Schools and Non-Profits to Shine Bright & Green!
The City of Ventura Public Works Department has completed its Energy Efficient Lighting Retrofit Program that will save local non-profit organizations and schools an estimated $82,000 each year. Free energy efficient lights were installed at 19 non-profit agencies and 6 school gymnasiums in Ventura to replace old technology lighting and reduce energy costs. The program assisted schools and community organizations such as preschools, youth facilities and churches by reducing electric bills so that more of their funds can be used for essential community programs. READ MORE.
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LIVIN' GREEN: New Year's Resolutions That Make A Difference
By Maryann Ridini Spencer
While your making your New Year's  resolutions in your personal and professional life. Keep the environment in mind! Here are some green tips to help save the planet that can also help you save on your pocketbook! READ MORE!
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GREEN SAVERS: Program your home thermostat to save on utility costs
 When you lower the temperature in your home by pre-programming your thermostat settings, you can save up to 12% a year on your heating utility bill. Programming the thermostat to turn the temperature down 8 degrees for 7 hours each night and an additional 7 hours each weekday could result in a seasonal heating savings of approximately 12 percent. For the average home, this could result in savings of about $180. READ MORE.
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THIS MONTH ON THE Sustainable Ventura TV SERIES
| This month's Sustainable Ventura TV show takes a look at FREE Green Business Certification by the City of Ventura.
Green Business is Smart Business. Part of being smart business means incorporating environmentally friendly practices that take care of your company's bottom line and that help preserve the environment. The show interviews Ventura Councilmember Brian Brennan and Environmental Specialist Courtney Lindberg about the FREE Green Business Certification process. Green Business Profiles include visits to Patagonia and restaurants Red Brick Pizza and Himalaya.
 | | Become A Certified Green Business: "Sustainable Ventura's"January 2013 Show |
Also watch the show weekly on Caps-TV!
  Sustainable Ventura, hosted by Maryann Ridini Spencer and Ray Olson, 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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Stormwater:
Best Management Practices
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Building Repair, Remodeling & Construction
Areas where building repair, remodeling and minor construction are conducted can contribute to contaminants to runoff when measures have not been taken to prevent discharges.
Implement Best Management Practices- Use soil erosion control techniques when bare ground is temporarily or permanently exposed.
- Enclose painting operations, consistent with local air quality operations.
- Properly store and dispose of generated waste materials.
- Properly store materials that are normally used in repair and remodeling such as paints and solvents.
- Sweep paved surfaces, rather than hosing down or using blowers.
- Properly contain and dispose of wastewater, sweepings and sediments.
- Use non-toxic substitutes for chemicals when possible.
- Regularly inspect and clean storm drains.
- Maintain good housekeeping practices while work is underway.
- Control litter by sweeping and picking up trash on a regular basis.
- 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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Environmental Sustainability
is
Everyone's Responsibility!
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