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In This Issue
And the Winner is...2013 Green School Awards Announced
Ventura's New Green Certified Businesses: RetailTherapy and RNT Architects
Water: Take 1 Short Film Contest Awards
Livin' Green: Christmas Tree Recycling
Green Savers: Winter Heating Tips for Safety and Savings
November 2013 News Highlights
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January 2013

 

Also Visit the City of Ventura Calendar of Events 

 

 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:
   clindberg@cityofventura.net    
 

 

FREE Waterwise Workshops 
 
 
  

Ventura Water, Aqua-flo and Green Thumb Nursery are presenting a series of six FREE Water Wise classes, one Saturday a month from 10:00am-11:30am. Classes began on September 14, 2013 and are currently planned through early 2014.  READ MORE.  

 


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.  

 

 

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.  READ MORE.

 
THIS MONTH ON Sustainable Ventura




Watch Sustainable Ventura  weekly on Caps-TV!

                       
Sustainable Ventura News, reported by Maryann Ridini Spencer,  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. Also watch at VenturaCountyStar.com.

Stormwater:
Best Management Practices
  Clean Working in our Watershed
 
The watershed is the total land area from which rainwater drains into a stream, river or body of water.  The watershed includes all of the natural terrain and neighborhoods surrounding these major water bodies, including your business.  When it rains, stormwater moves quickly, transporting untreated pollutants directly into our watershed.  A simple rain event can result in one big "illicit discharge."

Implement Best Management Practices 

*Storage - Appropriate storage of liquids and solids can help prevent pollutants from getting into the stormdrain system.  Inside or under cover is best.

*Cleaners - Store cleaning products where they are protected from rain, and prevent spills from reaching the stormdrain system.

*Chemicals - Any material used or waste generated must be managed according to state regulations.  Use secondary containment to prevent accidental  discharges or leaks.

*Equipment - Store materials like batteries and machinery in trays or with drip pans to contain potential leaks and spills.

*Trash - Keep dumpster lids closed and place covers on all waste containers.  NEVER put liquid waste into a dumpster.  Store outdoor waste receptacles under cover to reduce exposure to rain that could wash pollutants into the stormdrain system.

*Recycling & Disposal - For general information on Ventura County recycling and disposal programs for businesses, call (805) 289-3333 or visit:   Wasteless.org.





 

Keep Ventura Clean and Beautiful! 

 

 



Environmental Sustainability  
is  
Everyone's Responsibility!
  

 

Happy Holidays! 

December  2013 
And the Winner is...2013 Green School Awards Announced
by Maryann Ridini Spencer


      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.

     This year, on November 18, 2013, in recognition of America Recycles Day, Mayor Mike Tracy presented the award to two deserving schools at a special ceremony before the Ventura City Council.

 

Left to Right: EP Foster Elementary School Custodian Judy Melton and Lynn Harrison, EJ Harrison. Not pictured: EP Foster Principal Carlos Covarrubias

     The winner of the 2013 Green School Award went to EP Foster Elementary School and Will Rogers Elementary School received the new Watershed Hero Award presented by Ventura Water. READ MORE. 

 
Left to Right : Will Rogers Elementary School teachers Daniel Flores and Ricardo Pinedo,  Principal Danielle Cortes, teacher Kris Guzman and Ventura Water GM Shana Epstein
 

 

Ventura's New Green Certified Businesses:  RetailTherapy and RNT Architects - A Passion for Green

     Being "green" promotes community sustainability. Smart businesses know that in addition to ensuring a thriving local economy, adopting environmentally friendly practices helps save money and builds customer pride. 

     Two of the City of Ventura's newest Green Certified Businesses,
RetailTherapy and Roesling, Nakamura, Terada (RNT) Architects, are proud to employ a sustainable philosophy that is actually an extension of their staff and owner's personal beliefs.  READ MORE.

 

 

 

RNT Architects
RetailTherapy
Water: Take 1 Short Film Contest Awards is Standing Room Only
2013 Water: Take 1 Awards - Standing Room Only
2013 Water: Take 1 Awards
 Standing Room Only

     More than 150 attendees packed a soundstage at Brooks Institute  as Ventura Water and partners Pagatonia and iThentic presented the 2013 Water: Take 1 Short Film Contest Awards on Thursday, November 14 from 6 to 8 pm.

     Grand Jury Award

     A jury-awarded Grand Prize of $1,500 sponsored by Patagonia, was presented to "Water Collaborations," directed by Crelis Rammelt (Netherlands).

     "We all recognize how valuable our water resources are," said City of Ventura Mayor Mike Tracy.  "This contest is one way to encourage the public to think about water and to evaluate where we are going. The films are thought provoking and just terrific."

     Best Student Film Award

     The Best Student Short Film Award, sponsored by Carollo Engineers and Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, went to "Bottle vs. Tap," directed by Danica Brown, Denise Torres, Jai Litman and Jason Schwien (USA), who received a Go Pro Camera for their win.

     Ventura Vision Award

     Also awarded by the jury, the NEW Ventura Vision Award sponsored by the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach went to "The Big Ventura River Bottom Clean Up," directed by Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura (USA). In this category, the winner will receive spotlight profile on a Local TV Show.

     "This year we added the Ventura Vision Award," said Ventura Water General Manager Shana Epstein.   "We have a great response from filmmakers internationally, and the Vision Award is another great way to connect with our local community."

     Audience Choice Award

     The recipient of the Audience Choice Award, sponsored by EJ Harrison & Sons, was "Water ... The Lifeline of Life," directed by Aniruddha Dhanaji Mane (India).  This film received the most votes by the October 3 deadline at watertake1.com, the online website for the program.  READ MORE. 

 

 

Livin' Green:  Christmas Tree Recycling



    

Deck the Halls with Christmas trees, holly and other beautiful greens this holiday season!  When it's time to take your tree down, here's an easy 1-2-3- guide of how to recycle post holiday!  READ MORE. 

 

GREEN SAVERS:  Winter Heating Tips for Safety and Savings
    

     Winter heating bills high?  Here are some great heating tips for safety and savings, READ MORE. 
NEWS Highlights from November 2013

November 9
FREE Water Wise Class - "Urban Gold"


At the November 9, 2013 FREE Water Wise Class "Urban Gold," Ben Faber, Farm Advisor, UCCE Ventura Co., spoke about how to improve the biology of your soil to create a thriving garden and more at the FREE "Urban Gold" Water Wise Class held Saturday, November 9, 2013, 10am-11:30am, at the City of Ventura's Sanjon Maintenance Yard. 

View More Event Photos 
 
Find out more and REGISTER at:

November 14

Water: Take 1 Short Film Contest Awards 

More than 150 attendees packed a soundstage at Brooks Institute  as Ventura Water and partners Pagatonia and iThentic presented the 2013 Water: Take 1 Short Film Contest Awards on Thursday, November 14 from 6 to 8 pm. READ MORE. 

 
(Left to Right) Ed Wehan, CAPS Board Member, Mike Tracy, Ventura Mayor, Elizabeth Rodeno, CAPS Project Coordinator, Donald McConnell, CAPS Operations Supervisor, Darryl Dunn, CAPS Board Chairman & Gary Kohler, Crowne Plaza Hotel Marketing Director at the Second Annual Water: Take 1 Awards.
 

November 16 
Household Hazardous Waste Event 



PLEASE NOTE: There are  NO Household Hazardous Waste Events in December.

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