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.

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.

Everyone loves the 4^th of July celebrations.  They conjure up images of barbecues, pool parties, family and friend gatherings and fireworks.  This holiday, let's celebrate the day, our country and our earth -by living red, white, blue and green!    

*Say "NO" to plastic and Styrofoam tableware

For a more eco-friendly alternative, use dinnerware that can be washed and reused.  If you must go disposable, often times disposable can also be washable.

Always remember to recycle your plastics when you can't use them any longer.  Check that the resin number is #1-#7, to make sure it's acceptable in curbside recycling.

*Carpool:  Cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and save on gas

Going to a party?  Save on greenhouse gas emissions by forming carpools with your family, friends and neighbors. If you can, also carpool when you're shopping for items leading up to the celebrations.

*Shop Local

Visit your local farmer's market for fresh, sustainable produce in season.  Eating fresh, local and organic is tastier and healthier for you, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports out local economy. 

*Carry reusable bags

When shopping for decorations, groceries and other celebratory items, always remember to have a stash of reusable bags in the car.

*Reuse old decorations

Go through your closets and cabinets and take out your old July 4^th streamers, hats, horns, and other decorative items.  Also check for what you might have lying around that could be made into and/or fit a red, white and blue motif.  If you don't have the right items at home, perhaps you can borrow from a friend or neighbor.  Also visit your local thrift store to find cost-effective items and to reduce, reuse and recycle.

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Beach season is getting into high gear. Ever wonder why you might see a beach closure sign after it rains? That's because of storm pollution caused by urban runoff. That's why when it comes to preventing stormwater pollution, the City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability promotes, "only rain down the drain."

Unlike the waste water from our kitchens, tubs and sinks, which travels through miles of infrastructure to Ventura's wastewater plant, where it gets treated before it's released back into the ocean, stormwater that flows when it rains, picks up debris and toxins from our yards and gardens and travels, untreated, into the storm drain system directly into our waterways and oceans.

"The 'only rain down the drain' slogan is easy for people to remember and it gets rid of any misconceptions that what goes into the storm drain system gets treated," said City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Courtney Lindberg. "Being cognicent of how the storm drain system works, and making small changes in our behavior, is how we can each do our part in preventing stormwater pollution."

So, even though you personally may have never "physically" put anything in the storm drain system, it's important to remember, that even if you wash your car on the driveway, use pesticides in your lawn and garden and/or sweep debris from your driveway into the street, when it rains, these items along with other debris, dog waste, car oils, and small items like cigarette butts and plastic wraps, all collect and travel by rain water into the untreated storm drain system.

Here are some great tips to get you started on being proactive with fighting stormwater pollution.   

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Only Rain Down The Drain: Stormwater Pollution Prevention

Creeping Red Fescue (Botanical name: Festuca rubra 'Molate')

When most people think of the dream lawn they'd like for their home, they often think "sprawling green" and "park-like."  However, according to Landscape Designer Laura Bauer, that's not really practical living in Southern California.  Furthermore, there are many beautiful grasses native to Ventura's climate that make a gorgeous "green" lawn and that utilize half the resources required of a traditional lawn.

"There's a lot of experimentation going on with low-water, low-care grass substitutes," said Bauer. "Right now these options are more expensive compared to standard sod grass, however, these lawns require less maintenance (mowing), less water and less fertilizers and pesticides.  It's been documented that 40-70% of a person's water bill goes to taking care of outside landscape, so over time, homeowners can see a significant savings."

Bauer knows of what she speaks. She ran a garden maintenance company for 10 years in Pasadena and also taught and gave workshops for the non-profit Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants, Inc. (theodorepayne.org). Last year, Bauer moved back to Ventura to provide consultation and design services through her company, Bauer Fine Gardening, using California native and drought-tolerant plants.

Blue Gramma Grass (Botanical name: Bouteloua gracilis)

Great Grass Alternatives

Bauer recommends Field Sedge (Botanical name:  Carex praegracilis), a low-growing, bright green creeper that grows into a dense lawn.  It can be mowed, or left to grow as long as you see fit.

"Creeping Red Fescue (Botanical name:  Festuca rubra 'Molate') which is dark green with very fine blades, also makes a great lawn, especially for shadier areas," adds Bauer.  "It can be mowed or left natural."