Ventura College Foundation Marketplace Bans Single-Use Plastic Bags

    VENTURA, CA, September 11, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Ventura College Foundation is taking a proactive stance on environmental sustainability by banning plastic bags at the Foundation's Marketplace, the weekend open-air market held on the Campus's east parking lot at Telegraph and Day roads. The ban, which went into effect Aug. 1, is in support of the city of Ventura's Environmental Stability Strategy that seeks to reduce solid and hazardous waste and increase consumers' purchases of environmentally preferable products.

In lieu of plastic bags, the approximately 700 vendors per weekend have been encouraged to buy and sell reusable bags to other vendors and customers.

"The city of Ventura compiled information about the staggering amount of marine debris that is plastic and from urban runoff. We believe that the ban makes sense for our area's environmental health," said Norbert Tan, executive director of the Ventura College Foundation. "We alerted the Marketplace vendors several months ago and they have been very supportive."

"According to a 2008 L.A. County report, single-use plastic bags are a common garbage item on coastal beaches and make up as much as 25 percent of all the garbage flowing out to sea," notes the city of Ventura's website.

A statewide ban of single-use plastic bags was to go into effect in stores with a specified dollar volume or location size starting July 1. The California Plastic Bag Ban is on hold through November 2016, when election results of a plastic bag referendum will be available.

Revenue from the space rentals at the Marketplace helps the Ventura College Foundation fund many programs including the Textbook Lending Library and the Ventura College Promise. Since 1985, the Marketplace has raised more than $10 million in program support.

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset. The Foundation also hosts the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace, an outdoor shopping experience held every weekend on the Ventura College campus east parking lot. For more information, contact Norbert Tan at (805) 289-6160 or [email protected]. Also visit http://www.venturacollege.edu/foundation, and the Foundation on Facebook and Twitter (@VC_Foundation).

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