March/April 2016

It's the Law! Mandatory Food Waste Recycling Requirements for Businesses
 
      Beginning April 1, 2016, Assembly Bill (AB) 1826 California's Commercial Organics Recycling Law  goes into effect requiring commercial businesses, multifamily dwellings (5+units), schools, hospitals, restaurants, government buildings, and other establishments to begin separating and recycling organic waste, which includes food waste, landscape waste, non-hazardous wood waste, food-soiled paper waste (napkins, tissues, paper plates and cups, fast food wrappers, used pizza boxes), wax-coated cardboard, and other similar paper or compostable packaging (no paper products with a plastic coating).

     In California, 30% of the 30 million tons of waste sent to landfills each year is comprised of organic waste. AB 1826 will require businesses and multifamily dwellings to separate that material for composting, instead of sending it to landfills. READ MORE.

GREEN BUSINESS: Flying Green with the Aerial Studio

    
     "Running on the treadmill day after day can be a very boring form of fitness," said Carmen Curtis,Co-Founder of The Aerial Studio in Ventura, a new City of Ventura Green Certified Business. "At the studio, which is a modern professional and recreational aerial arts space, we make working out fun! Students of all ages, from children to seniors, can come in and swing on the trapeze, climb up a silk, and take a variety of aerial arts classes that make working out seem like play. "
 
     Yoga is also taught at the studio and enjoyed for its many healing benefits and classes are given in a special yoga discipline practiced in a hammock suspended from the ceiling that Curtis founded entitled, AIReal Yoga™,  the first and only form of aerial yoga accredited by the Yoga Alliance. READ MORE. 
SAVE OUR WATER: The NEW 2016 Water Wise Class Series  
      
     "At least 50% percent of the water used in a home
is used outdoors for landscaping, and there's a lot  we can do to minimize water waste and maximize water efficiency," said Jill Santos, City of Ventura Environmental Specialist. "Being water-conscious is especially important in times of drought, and moving forward, its essential we all act as protectors of water, our most precious natural resource, and strive to manage it effectively."

     To that end, the new 2016 water wise class series mixes up its schedule offerings to engage and inspire Ventura residents. READ MORE.  

Livin' Green:   Clean it Green! Green Cleaning Practices Protecting Your Health and the Environment 
     
     "Caution," "Danger," "Poison," "Keep Out of Reach of Children," "Toxic" - We've all read these   words on traditional cleaning product labels that we purchase off the store shelf, and while exposure to harsh chemicals can potentially irritate our skin and burn our eyes, the long-term exposure and subsequent health consequences can be significant.
 
     Furthermore, when you purchase products labeled "all natural" or "biodegradable," these too may not always be "safe."  READ MORE. 

Environmental Sustainability News & Events
 


Washing Machine Rebates
Get your washing machine rebate while supplies last. Visit: cityofventura.net/waterwise
or click the rebate image screen right. 



SV News Report:
Green School Award Nominations




Green School Award Nominations are OPEN!
Watch the Sustainable Ventura News segment to find out more.  Also visit, cityofventura.net/greenschool

 
 
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        Green Certification       Watch SV News            Free Classes               Text "Tips"        Free Sustainability Kits
Rain Barrel Discount
Rain Barrel Discount program for City of Ventura residents is available through Environmental Sustainability and Ventura Water.  Working in cooperation with Smith Pipe and Supply at 3060 Sherwin Avenue in Ventura, the Channel/Bushman 50-gallon rain barrel (with a retail value of $92.00), will be available for $45.00 plus tax at their store with a Rain Barrel Discount Voucher.  Two rain barrel discounts are available per residential address with the voucher. READ MORE.

$92.00 Rain Barrel available for $45.00 plus tax with Discount Voucher