THOUSAND OAKS : Business Owners to Discuss Recycling

Thousand Oaks will host an environmental awareness symposium for Ventura County business owners from 8 a.m. to noon Friday in the library on East Janss Road.

Participants will learn how to apply for state grants or low-interest loans from a $10-million fund that rewards businesses for using recycled materials. They will also hear from local corporations, including Southern California Edison, that successfully reduced waste and increased the use of recycled goods.

Funded by the California Department of Conservation, the symposium will feature speeches by several recycling and trash experts, including the regional manager of the Californians Against Waste Foundation and a Ventura County economic development specialist.

The speakers will provide information on tax credits, business start-up assistance and other financial incentives for waste reduction, said Grahame Watts, the Thousand Oaks recycling coordinator.

The 100 to 150 business owners expected to attend the workshop will split into small discussion groups after the speeches.

“This is a great networking opportunity for representatives of the public and private sector to work together to discuss ways to stimulate economic activity” and boost the market for recycled goods, Thousand Oaks Councilman Frank Schillo said.

The conference is free to members of the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley or Moorpark chambers of commerce and costs $5 for other participants. To register, call 499-1993 or 497-8611, ext. 333.