Keepin' Summer Sustainable

For many of us, summer means basking in the sun with friends and family, enjoying the great outdoors. This summer, let's also show some love to our environment with these zero-waste sustainability tips!

What does zero-waste mean?

Zero-waste means diverting at least 90% of our waste from landfills. By following the 3 R’s—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle—we can create a circular economy where waste becomes valuable resources.

Restaurants are bound to generate a lot of waste – food, takeout containers, napkins. But accessible, innovative solutions can easily turn any restaurant into a beacon of sustainability!

The Twist on Main in downtown Ventura uses agave straws as an easy alternative to plastic, 100% recycled fiber hand towels and takeout cartons, and sources from local distilleries such as Ventura Spirits and Atost to reduce their carbon emissions while supporting local farmers and producers.

For food establishments looking to promote eco-conscious consumption, The Twist recommends Chaz Distributing. Sustainable business practices through efficiencies in resource use, waste reduction, and energy conservation have helped The Twist to not only reduce their bottom line, but increased patronage as consumers are increasingly conscious of environmental issues. 

Join the Green Business Movement

If you are a local business owner interested in becoming a Certified Green Business or want to find more local Green Businesses, visit the link below for more information.

A Year of Green Schools 🤸‍♂️

Our Green Schools team wrapped up the 2023-2024 school year, reaching almost 6,000 students across 21 schools in Ventura for in-class environmental science lessons and waste sorting education assemblies. If you are a Ventura educator and would like Green Schools to visit your classroom next school year, please contact Logan Babcock at lbabcock@cityofventura.ca.gov

2025 Student Art Calendar Contest 🎨

In collaboration with Ventura Water, the Environmental Sustainability Division hosted a city-wide student art contest for the 2025 Watershed Awareness calendar. Students showcased creative and thoughtful artwork on various watershed awareness topics, such as water conservation, storm drain pollution, and respecting our oceans and beaches. A record 81 submissions were received, with 14 winners who will be featured in the 2025 calendar.

Congratulations and thank you Ventura students! 😊

Pollinator Palooza at Barranca Vista Park 🐝

As of July 1, 2021 the City of Ventura prohibits businesses selling food and beverages from using Styrofoam containers such as cups, plates, bowls, meat trays, clamshells and coolers. Styrofoam is a prevalent form of litter found in storm drains, creeks, rivers, beaches, parks, and open spaces. For more information and resources, please visit: EPS Ban

You can help support our community's efforts to preserve the health and beauty of Ventura's open spaces for the enjoyment of all!

The world’s warm water coral reefs are undergoing the 4th mass coral bleaching event in 25 years.

• Corals turn white due to expelling symbiotic algae when stressed, like when ocean temperatures rise. But it’s not fatal – corals can return to a healthy state under the right conditions.
• Supporting about a quarter of all marine life, coral reefs are one of the planet’s most important ecosystems.

Iron has been shown to be a viable alternative to nickel and cobalt in electric vehicle batteries.

• Iron is one of the world's cheapest and most abundant metals, making it a great alternative to nickel and cobalt which face potential global shortages as demand for electric vehicles increases.
• Energy storage efficiency needs to be improved however, and requires more investment in research before commercial usage.

View employment opportunities with the City of Ventura here.

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