Ventura County is sponsoring a "Reuse, Donate, Recycle" waste reduction program that encourages residents and business owners to browse through "Available for Reuse" and "Wanted for Reuse" ads posted free of charge on the website.

VCMAX, the Ventura County Materials Exchange program, operates like Craigslist. The major difference between the programs is all ads and photographs on the VCMAX website are approved by county staff before posting. It is a "safe" site, and there is no charge to place ads. Everything posted on the website is free or reasonably priced. To receive something in an ad, contact the listing party by email or phone, arrange for the swap and then log back on the VCMAX.org site to confirm the match.

Confirmation of matches is important as it provides the county with the weight of the items swapped for reuse. The information is totaled at the end of the year and included in mandatory reports to the California Integrated Waste Management Board to document the county's waste reduction efforts.

The sidebar also links to the Habitat for Humanity's ReStore, a building materials thrift store in Oxnard which provides free pickup for donated tools, building supplies, cabinets, sinks and household items.

The Countywide Recycling Center Guide provides information about local Buy Back Centers and recycling businesses where community members can recycle cardboard, magazines, paper, metal, and bottles and cans for cash.

For more information, call Pandee Leachman at (805) 658-4315.

The VCMAX program is provided by Ventura County's Integrated Waste Management Division.