 | 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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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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Stormwater:
Best Management Practices
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Waste Management & Disposal
Your facility can contribute contaminants to stormwater runoff if wastes are not managed and disposed of properly. Poor waste management may result in an illegal discharge.
Implement Best Management Practices
- Cover and berm waste storage areas.
- Keep outside areas (dumpsters, parking lots, etc.) free of trash and debris.
- Store wastes indoors when possible.
- Keep waste containers covered.
- Regularly inspect and clean grease traps.
- Use non-toxic substitute for chemicals when possible.
- Recycle food grease, cleaning solutions, oil, antifreeze, batteries and fluids.
- Sweep parking lots or other surfaces to remove debris blown on-site.
- Store liquids in a designated area on a paved impervious surface within a covered secondary containment. Keep outdoor storage containers in good condition.
- Regularly inspect and clean storm drains.
- Regularly control litter by sweeping and picking up trash and litter.
- 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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Ventura's Natural Beauty
Let's keep it that way!
February 2013
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SPOTLIGHT: Green Businesses in Ventura
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 | | LtoR: James Panagoti, Mike Bitola, Elissa Loughman and Anup Rimal |
Red Brick Pizza Café owners James Panagoti and Mike Bitola, Patagonia Corporate Environmental Specialist Elissa Loughman and Anup Rimal, owner of
Himalaya Restaurant, receive Green Business certificates for being the first Green Certified Businesses in the City of Ventura. The certificates were presented at City Council on Monday, January 28, 2013, by Mayor Mike Tracy.
If you're interested in becoming a certified Green Business, Contact: Courtney Lindberg at clindberg@cityofventura.net
 LISTEN to the Sustainable Ventura " How to Become A Green Certified Business in Ventura" Podcast with Courtney Lindberg, CLICK HERE.
 | | Become A Certified Green Business: "Sustainable Ventura's"January 2013 Show |
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GREEN BUSINESS PROFILE: TotallyLocalVC.com Supports Sustainability by Fostering a "Buy Local" Philosophy
Eat. Shop. Play. Connect. TotallyLocalVC.com
brings together local businesses, food, art, music and community, through an online website and local events dedicated to "buying local" in order to foster economic growth and sustainability for those living in Ventura County.
"I've always believed that 'buying local,' builds a strong community," said Kat Merrick, founder of TotallyLocalVC.com, a two and a half year old online resource. "Through our website and events, our mission is to take on a larger role as environmental stewards. Shopping and spending locally has a dramatic impact on our local environment and economy." 
Kat knows from whence she speaks. Before founding TotallyLocalVC.com, she worked in several successful high-profile executive positions in the apparel industry; even designing and marketing one of her own prominent brands a line of surf wear, Surf Chick (1990-2000).
"When I worked in apparel," said Kat, "I witnessed firsthand the outsourcing of jobs, leaving the United States for other countries. As a result, I saw many small towns in the U.S. dependent upon work in garment factories, implode." READ MORE.
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STOP Household Hazardous Waste Items From Getting into the Trash
Did you know that it's illegal for certain household items to be tossed in the trash? Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) items include: aerosol cans, adhesives, fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), household cleaning solutions (ammonia and bleach), fertilizers, pesticides, batteries, and paint.
In July 2005, the City acquired grant funds from the State of California, to construct a permanent household hazardous waste (HHW) collection facility at Gold Coast Recycling, 5275 Colt Street in Ventura.
"Substances that are considered Household Hazardous Wastes are prohibited by state regulations from disposal to landfills. If disposed of improperly, they pose a serious threat to human, plant, animal, aquatic life, and the environment." said Karen
Sedlacek, City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability Supervisor, "If it's mistakenly placed in a trash bin, and ends up going into a landfill, there's the potential to pollute both soil and ground water. Additionally, if items such as fertilizers or pesticides, for example, find their way into the street and go through the storm drain system untreated, they'll pollute our rivers, beaches, and ocean." READ MORE.
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LIVIN' GREEN: THINK GREEN
In order to "live" green, one must THINK green.
Want to get a greener consciousness? Follow some of these easy tips! READ MORE.
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GREEN SAVERS: Download EPA's FREE Apps to help protect your health
The AIRNow app allows users to enter a zip code and get current particle pollution and ozone levels and forecasts for more than 400 cities across the country. The Ultraviolet (UV) Index provides an hourly forecast of the UV radiation levels from the sun. Both are available for Apple and Android phones. Learn about these apps and the others. READ MORE.
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THIS MONTH ON THE Sustainable Ventura TV SERIES
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This month's Sustainable Ventura TV show showcases the 2012 Environmental Excellence Award Winners - E.J. Harrison & Sons and Red Brick Pizza Cafe.
The show also visits with the 2012 Green School Award Winner - The Ventura School of Arts & Global Education.
 | | Sustainable Ventura - February 2013 Show |
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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Environmental Sustainability
is
Everyone's Responsibility!
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