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Residential Services
New Food Waste Recycling Program for Residents
The City of Ventura now offers a Food Waste Recycling Program in support of new statewide requirements, known as Senate Bill (SB) 1383. The program is being gradually rolled out citywide - first with residents with yard waste carts and then to residents without.
Residents with a yard waste cart must place food waste in a bag of their choice, secure the bag, and place it in the yard waste cart.
Residents without a yard waste cart will also bag and secure their food waste, but will place it in a dedicated food waste container when instructed by their property manager.
To help encourage participation, the City of Ventura is providing all residents with a free food waste recycling pail and instructions on how to participate. Pails are provided courtesy of E.J. Harrison & Sons. If you are a City of Ventura resident, you can request a pail by emailing your name and residential address.
All food waste can be collected in the program. This includes, but is not limited to, meat, bones, fish, shells, dairy, bread, fruits, vegetables, peels, pits, cobs, and coffee grounds.
This new program is part of a statewide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and curb climate change. When organic material, such as food and yard waste, is landfilled, it decomposes and produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.
Resources
- More information for residents of single-family homes / Más información para residentes de viviendas unifamiliares
- More information for residents of apartments or multi-family properties / Más información para residentes de apartamentos o propiedades multifamiliares
- Recording of the November 16, 2021 Food Waste Recycling Workshop for Residents
- More information on SB 1383 from CalRecycle
The residential collection containers (trash, recycle, and yard waste,) provided by E.J. Harrison & Sons, will be swapped out for new, different colored containers over the next few years. E.J. Harrison & Sons is getting an early start on delivering new containers that will comply with California’s Senate Bill 1383, which creates a statewide uniform color container system.
The next generation of 32-, 64- and 96-gallon fully automated carts are wider, heavier, and slightly shorter than existing carts. This should make them more stable during wind events.
E.J. Harrison & Sons now offers weekly collection of all three curbside collection containers.
Curbside trash and recyclables are hauled to Gold Coast Recycling and Transfer Station in Ventura. Trash is hauled to the Toland Landfill near Santa Paula. It’s important to note that no recyclable items are sorted or removed from the landfill-bound waste stream. This means that everything that goes in your trash barrel will end up in the landfill, so be sure to consider what type of material you’re throwing away before you dispose of it.
Recyclable materials are hauled to the Materials Recovery Facility at Gold Coast Inc. in Ventura. Here, items are sorted, bailed, and transported to various recycling markets. It is important to know what can and cannot be placed into the recycling barrels to ensure efficient processing of materials and to protect the machinery and workers from harm.
Learn how to properly dispose of different items with Recycle Coach's What Goes Where Search Tool.
Residential customers may arrange for service of four bulky items during two pick-ups per year without charge. Bulky items are defined as discarded, large household appliances, furniture, tires, carpets, mattresses, and similar large items which require special handling due to their size. To request a pick-up call E.J. Harrison at 647-1414 or submit a request online.
Learn more about Bulky Item Collection.
Backyard Composting
Backyard composting is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint. Scraps from your kitchen and yard trimmings can be turned into a healthy soil amendment and used in your garden. When you compost food scraps and/or yard waste at home, you also reduce the energy and transportation costs associated with processing these items at an industrial facility.
The City sponsors a discount program in partnership with Green Thumb Nursery where you can purchase either a worm bin or a compost bin at 50% the retail price. Just show proof of City residence. Free mulch is also available on a first come basis at Cornucopia Gardens, located just off Telephone Road, across from Kimball Community Park. Using mulch and organic compost are great ways to reduce waste, conserve water, reduce need for application of pesticides or fertilizers and help with pest management.
Learn more about backyard composting and the City's compost bin rebate program.
- What laws require food waste recycling?
- What is food waste?
- What is organic waste?
- How do I separate my food waste?
- Can I place my food waste directly in my yard waste container without bagging it?
- Why do we need to bag food waste?
- Do the bags have to be made of plastic?
- What happens to the bag of food waste after it's collected?
- Can I add compostable materials, like compostable plates, cups, utensils and napkins, to my yard waste bin?
- Will separating food waste cause odor or pests?
Sole Provider of Services
The City of Ventura and E.J. Harrison and Sons have an exclusive franchise agreement, which means that E.J. Harrison and Son’s, Inc. is the sole provider of solid waste and recycling collection services in the City. This arrangement ensures competitive rates and quality service for residents and businesses. By eliminating duplicate trash collection services, we reduce large vehicle traffic and prevent excess wear and tear on our streets. The agreement also requires E.J. Harrison to meet stringent recycling standards, which is one of the reasons Ventura’s landfill diversion rate is an impressive 74%. Current rates are available on the latest related Administrative Resolution.
To inquire about residential trash, yard waste, and recycling service please call 1-800-418-7274 or 805-647-1414. To submit a service request, please visit the E.J. Harrison & Sons Website.
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Environmental Sustainability
Physical Address
336 Sanjon Rd
Ventura, CA 93002
Phone: 805-652-4525