VC Star 12/14/24 Two opposing perspectives on the future of plastic clashed at the United Nations summit on plastics, which ended this month in Busan, South Korea. Over 3,300 participants, representing 170 nations and more than 440 observer organizations, vigorously debated a variety of options to craft an “internationally legally binding instrument on plastic pollution,…
Moorpark Acorn December 7, 2024 Residents suffered horrible losses of homes and property during the recent Mountain fire, but luckily no lives were lost. Also, all 44 dogs and 35 cats evacuated from fire areas and left for safekeeping at the Ventura County Animal Shelter have been reunited with their owners. Although some pets are…
VC Reporter December 5, 2024 Do you still have Thanksgiving leftovers, and are you wondering how long food lasts before it should be moved from your refrigerator to your curbside organics cart? Perhaps the tradition of overeating at Thanksgiving feasts can be tied to the age of the holiday. Thanksgiving commemorates a 1621 feast shared…
VC Star December 8, 2024 Christmas trees have something in common with trees cut to make paper: Replacing them with other materials does not really save trees. Both types of trees are grown on managed land, essentially tree farms, and few of these sites would exist were it not for the market demand caused by…
VC Star November 16, 2024 Some dogs pull sleds, some sniff for drugs at the border. Even some nonworking dogs have jobs, such as my little cocker spaniel who used to drag in the newspaper every morning. But all dogs can contribute to the household by eating food waste. Dogs are most helpful when food…
Moorpark Acorn November 23, 2024 An unexpected problem arose on California’s way to a better recycling future. Buyback centers disappeared. Those who recycle only through their curbside programs may not have noticed, but many people need their California Redemption Value money back, and many more see convenient buyback recycling as a matter of basic fairness.…
Camarillo Acorn October 26, 2024 If you have not yet bought a costume for Halloween, you still have time and options. A fast solution is to order a cheap, plastic costume online or pick one up at a big box store. Beware, though: Many of these single-use, disposable costumes may look adequate on the packaging…
VC Star October 12, 2024 David Goldstein Special to Ventura County Star California’s 2023-24 legislative session wrapped up last month with some new laws to reduce waste. The governor also vetoed related bills but provided explanations sure to give lawmakers reason to adjust proposals and try again next year. Assembly member Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks,…
Moorpark Acorn September 20, 2024 California celebrates its 40th annual Coastal Cleanup Day on Sat., Sept. 21, and one local city got a head start by cleaning one of its own streams leading to the ocean. The City of Agoura Hills hosted its annual Lindero Creek cleanup on Sept. 14 and, judging by the photos…
VC Star September 15th, 2024 David Goldstein Special to Ventura County Star When Coastal Cleanup Day volunteers mass along beaches from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 21, they could find less litter than they did in the previous 39 years of the event. Mechanical devices treating captured water prevent trash from washing down storm…