County Issue Recycling : Earth...

Jim Jevens, Project manager, Waste Management of California

Based on discussions with other members of the Waste Management Recycle America staff here in California, I believe that Ventura County is essentially way ahead of the vast majority of California counties in this effort. Specifically, the county Solid Waste Department has formed the county recycling consortium, which is a gathering of public and private entities both in waste disposal and recycling. Our main mission has been to promote countywide interest in “reuse, reduce and recycle.” The consortium works with the Ventura County Economic Development Assn. in providing seminars for businesses that specifically encourage the use of recycled products and finding substitute processing products, such as chemicals of less environmental impact. Ventura County has established the benchmark attitude countywide, and the results are significant.

Victoria Hand, Ventura County Solid Waste Management recycling manager

We’re all aware of the Assembly Bill 939 goals of 25% and 50% diversion by 1995 and the year 2000. In light of those goals Ventura County is doing a very, very good job. Nine of the 10 cities in Ventura County are operating curbside recycling programs. Five out of the nine are citywide. We’re well on our way to achieving the 25% goal by 1995. My initial feedback from state agencies is that Ventura County is very progressive, not only in its recycling program but also in its long-term strategies to develop markets. The Ventura County Economic Development Assn. will be sponsoring, in cooperation with our department, a procurement fair for recycled products and conservation devices for the homeowner and business persons on June 15. I think our cities should be commended for their efforts.

Mindy Lorenz, Green Party activist

I think this community is setting a good example. I think the overall commitment on the part of business and local government and the residents is clearly in the direction of having as full a recycling program as we can. There is more to go. Until we have every single household in a curbside pickup program, I would not feel we are able to let up our pressure. Recycling is absolutely the basis of a conservation effort, and we have to stop using up new materials whenever there is recycled material available. And while I think it is important for city government to encourage recycling, I think we also have to have federal and state assistance. I would like to see something like a federal recycling act where, mandated within the federal government and hopefully state governments, we would be required not only to recycle but to purchase recycled materials, thus providing a greater market for them.

Eric Werbalowsky, City of Ventura recycling coordinator

Recently several state recycling officials were in Ventura County to review the cities’ recycling efforts. They were impressed with how advanced Ventura cities were in their development of easy-to-use recycling systems and processing capabilities. The city of Ventura WAVE (Waste Alternatives for Ventura’s Environment) program is the largest recycling program in the county. It includes a citywide curbside recycling program and growing multifamily housing and commercial recycling programs. The other nine cities all have curbside recycling programs and many are in states of implementing multifamily housing and commercial recycling programs. Countywide we are just starting to implement major programs for wood and green-waste recycling. Together with a determined and enthusiastic public and a sincerely committed staff countywide, Ventura will continue to be a recycling leader in the state.

Kitty Dill, Ventura Regional Sanitation District spokeswoman

From my personal perspective I see significant, hopeful progress. The Ventura Regional Sanitation District, a public waste-management agency, has recently conducted four studies to profile the trash stream from most Ventura County cities. In the last year alone, our extensive research of the county’s business community--everything from Goodwill and health-care facilities to diaper services--shows us that more businesses are environmentally conscious. Businesses tell us they are switching from disposable to durable goods and creating purchasing programs for recycled products. At the district-operated landfills we’ve seen a decrease in the waste stream, in part due to the drought and less green waste, but also due to a decrease in the amount of trash. One survey from a homes-management company said it has reduced its waste by over 500,000 pounds with on-site mulching of green waste.