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In This Issue
The City of Ventura and E.J. Harrison & Sons Help Property Owners Improve Recycling and Comply with AB 341
Enter Your Business for a CoolCalifornia Award
SAVE THE DATE: 29th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day, September 21, 2013
Green School Award Nominations
Green Savers
July News Highlights
QUICK LINKS




 

August 2013 

 

 

GET A GREAT DEAL ON RAIN BARRELS - SUPPLIES LIMITED!
by Christine Wied

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. 
  
Green Business Certification
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.

SET UP YOUR FREE CONSULTATION,
Contact: Courtney Lindberg,
805-667-6502 or email: [email protected]  

 

Commercial Business Recycling

It's THE LAW 

What every Ventura Business Needs to know!
Conserving our natural resources is essential for the health and well-being 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.  

 

 

What Can YOU Do To Help Preserve Ventura's Environment?

 
A Zero Waste Program
to reduce unwanted
mail & phone books
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!
Get GREEN TIPS on your Mobile
To get our GREEN TIPS
text
VENTURA to 39798

Message & Data Rates May Apply.  Up to 3 msgs/mo. Reply STOP to stop.  Terms & conditions at 805insider.com/terms

 

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. 


THIS MONTH ON Sustainable Ventura



This month's Sustainable Ventura TV series (August 2013 show), talks with Javier Saucedo,  Enrgconservation.com, about ways to increase energy efficiency in the home and Landscape Designer Laura Bauer, Bauerfinegardening.com, talks to the show about waterwise, native gardens and takes us on a tour of her newly planted native Ventura garden.

 WATCH THE SHOW

Sustainable Ventura August 2013 Show 
Sustainable Ventura August 2013 Show
 
Also watch Sustainable Ventura 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.

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Stormwater:
Best Management Practices
 
Storm Drains & Discharge Points
 
You are responsible for preventing runoff from contacting pollutants and avoiding spills in areas where hazardous and non-hazardous materials are loaded, unloaded (e.g. delivery or shipping docks) or stored (bulk storage areas, etc.), especially outside where they may be exposed to stormwater. 

 

Implement Best Management Practices 
 
  • Protect materials from rainfall, run-on, run-off and wind dispersal. For example, cover loading docks to reduce the exposure of materials to rain.
  • Use seals or door skirts between trailers and buildings to prevent exposure to rain and use grading or berming to prevent stormwater run-on.
  • Position roof downspouts to direct stormwater away from loading, unloading and storage areas.
  • Use drip pans under areas that may leak (hose connections, filler nozzles, etc.)
  • Sweep parking lots or other surfaces to remove debris blown or washed from loading, unloading and storage areas.
  • Store liquids in a designated area on a paved impervious surface within a secondary containment. Keep outdoor storage containers in good condition.
  • 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.

For more information on preventing stormwater pollution, visit:  vcstormwater.org 

WATCH SustainableVentura.TV Video News and LISTEN to our PODCASTS


Sustainable Ventura.TV News Stories
For mid-August:  How to Prevent Urban Runoff with Ocean Friendly Gardens



SustainableVentura.TV News with Maryann Ridini Spencer is featured at VCStar.com on the NEWS pages and covers environmental and sustainable news, practices, programs, happenings and events in the City of Ventura. 



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Ventura's Natural Beauty
Let's keep it that way!

August 2013 
The City of Ventura and E.J. Harrison & Sons Help Property Owners Improve Recycling and Comply with New State Law
By Maryann Ridini Spencer


 
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s most recent data, Americans generate about 250 million tons of trash a year -- or about 4.5 pounds per person, per day! Much of this trash by single-family and multi-family homes.  Although Ventura's single-family homes do a good job of recycling - over 45% of household waste is recycled in the blue barrels or yard waste barrels - multi-family households could use some improving.

"Recycling at multi-family complexes tends to be more challenging," said Jill Sarick, Environmental Specialist with the City of Ventura.  "Many of our multi-family complexes have space constraints, which makes it difficult to place recycle bins in convenient locations.  Multi-family residents also tend to move more frequently, making recycling education more difficult." 

Recognizing the potential to improve multi-family recycling, the State passed Assembly Bill 341 making
making recycling mandatory for all multi-family complexes with 5 units or more. To help property
The FREE Tote the City of Ventura provides to multi-family property families
owners comply with this new legislation, the City of Ventura and E. J. Harrison & Sons,
are providing free
on-site waste assessments and educational resources to property owners 
to help residents improve their recycling efforts. The program includes free "eco-kits"
for residents, which includes a recycling tote, energy efficient light bulb, water efficiency devices, and more.

"Participating in this program is really a win-win for multi-family complex managers and owners," said Sarick. "Their participation allows residents to receive these valuable kits. Plus, improving recycling in their complexes can help reduce trash costs since recycling is already included in their service rate."

 

"From the beginning, before it was a law, the Harrison's thought that it was their duty to treat single family home residents and condo and apartment residents the same, believing that everyone wants to do the right thing. It's also our job to make it as easy as possible to recycle. We call it the equal rights to recycle," said Nan Drake, Government Affairs and Public Relations for Harrison Industries.  READ MORE. 


 

 



Small Business are leading the way: Enter your Business to WIN a "CoolCalifornia Award" starting August 1
 
 
  

CoolCalifornia.org's mission is to provide all Californians with the tools and resources they need to take action to protect the environment and keep California cool. Comprised of partner organizations seeking to empower small business and improve the State's environment and future, CoolCalifornia was founded by State Government Agencies, Universities and the non-profit organization Next10.

 

Award applications can be submitted from  August 1 through November 1, 2013,  for the 4th CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards program. Application can be submitted online at CoolCalifornia.org.  The CoolCalifornia Business Awards recognizes California small businesses that take action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, promote climate friendly practices and integrate the tools on CoolCalifornia.org into their business operations during 2012-2013.  READ MORE.


SAVE THE DATE: September 21, 2013, 9:00am-Noon - The 29th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day Needs YOU!
 By Maryann Ridini Spencer


Historically, California's coast and waterways have been collection spots for trash and debris.  It's important to remove all litter, which can be harmful, even fatal to marine wildlife.

 

How does this happen?

 

Let's look at some specific examples starting with plastic in the water.  Marine life can get caught in the debris and also consume it.  Plastic bags found in ocean debris, is not biodegradable. It photodegrades, which means it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, but it does not go away.  These small pieces absorb oil and other toxins that may be in the water, making them saturated in chemicals. Plankton feeders ingest these small pieces, along with their normal food sources.  In some areas of the ocean, the ratio of plastic to plankton is 10 to 1!  In addition to impacting the marine creature that eats the plastic, plastic may cause genetic mutations that can impact future generations. Fish eat other fish with some working up the food chain all the way to human consumption. Think what this means to humans who ingest fish!

 

Broken glass, sharp metal items or discarded syringes can pose an immediate threat to those walking on the beach or swimming in the water, as do medical and personal hygiene debris, pet waste, fertilizer and pesticide runoff that get into the water through stormdrains.  READ MORE. 

 

 


It's Green School Award Nomination time:  7th Annual Green School Award Nominations for 2013
 

Do you go to a school or know about a school that implements environmental programs and initiatives that benefit the school as well as the community?

 

If you do, NOMINATE this school for a 2013 GREEN SCHOOL AWARD!

 

Each year the Green School Award Program, sponsored by the City of Ventura's Environmental Sustainability Division in partnership with Agromin Premium Soil Products, recognizes a school that demonstrates exemplary efforts to help the environment.  The Mayor will present the award to the deserving school at a special ceremony in front of the Ventura City Council on November 15, 2013, in recognition of America Recycles Day.  

 

"There are so many schools that have got on board with programs that reduce waste, increase recycling and reuse materials. There are even schools that are composting in their gardens," said Sarick.  "It's important to be aware of our collective footprint on this earth, and to make a difference individually.  With this award, it is our intent to celebrate a Green School Award winner who sets an example for other schools to follow."

 

Agromin Premium Soil Products, (the company that processes the residential and commercial green waste from the City of Ventura into compost to replenish our local soil), has been a valuable partner by providing a financial prize for the award.

 

Schools that may not be selected for the top prize may qualify for an Eco Hero Award in specific areas such as recycling or environmental education.  Submissions are being accepted NOW.  Check out previous WINNERS and DOWNLOAD an application at:   CityofVentura.net/GreenSchool  

GREEN SAVERS:  Reduce Fertilizer and Pesticide Use

Test your home for radon gas!  1 in 15 homes may have elevated levels of radon.  
 
Radon is a colorless, ordorless
gas and the leading
cause of lung cancer
among non-smokers and levels can increase during colder months. 
 
Radon Gets in to your home through:

*Cracks in solid floors
*Construction joins
*Cracks in walls
*Gaps in suspended floors
*Gaps around service pipes
*Cavities inside walls
*The water supply

Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. are estimated to have elevated radon levels!

Purchase an affordable Do-It-Yourself test kit online or at a local hardware store to determine the level in your home. Addressing high levels often costs the same as other minor home repairs. Visit: epa.gov/radon
 



NEWS Highlights from July 2013


VCREA's July 2013 newsletter delves into how water has always been linked to energy and examines how this is now a topic of emerging importance.  READ HERE.
 
July 20
Household Hazardous Waste Event  

Every third Saturday of the month, except in December, make an appointment for the FREE Household Hazardous Waste events.  Visit:
CityofVentura.net/HHW




Listen to the "FREE Waterwise Garden Class Series" (Starting Saturdays, September 14, 2013 10:00-11:30am) Podcast with Environmental Specialist Jill Sarick, CLICK HERE.


 
Listen to the "Grasscycling: It's Good for your Lawn and the Environment,"  PODCAST with the Manager, Environmental Sustainability Divsion, Ray Olson. CLICK HERE.




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Environmental Sustainability  
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