Each September, communities across California come together to protect our beaches, waterways, and oceans during California Coastal Cleanup Day. This year, the event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to noon, and E.J. Harrison & Sons team members will proudly join thousands of volunteers in Ventura County and beyond.

Our beaches, creeks, and watersheds are part of what makes living here so special. Coastal Cleanup Day is a chance to give back and help ensure that these natural spaces remain clean and beautiful for generations to come.

A Tradition of Success in Ventura County

For decades, Ventura County has been a leader in Coastal Cleanup efforts. Last year alone:

• 1,162 volunteers participated in the cleanup.

• Together, they collected 12,725 pounds of trash and recyclables.

With your help, we can make 2025’s cleanup even more successful!

Two Ways to Get Involved

Whether you have time on Sept. 20 or want to participate on your own schedule, there are flexible ways to take part in Coastal Cleanup Day.

1. Join a Local Cleanup Site

• Choose a site near you and volunteer on Sept. 20, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Bring your own supplies if possible — bucket, gloves, water bottle, and a hat — to help reduce waste.

• Don’t forget to print and sign the waiver at vccoastcleanup.org/get-involved.

• Pre-registration is not required! Find cleanup locations at vccoastcleanup.org/cleanup-sites.

2. Organize a Self-Guided Cleanup

Can’t make it on Sept. 20? No problem. You can still make a difference:

• Host a cleanup in your neighborhood, local park, or favorite trail anytime in September.

• Track and report your progress with the free CleanSwell app.

• Access additional self-guided cleanup tips at vccoastcleanup.org/get-involved.

Why Your Participation Matters

Every piece of litter collected prevents harmful materials from reaching the ocean, where they can threaten marine life and ecosystems. Small actions, when multiplied across our community, create a powerful impact.

By volunteering for Coastal Cleanup Day in Ventura County, you’re joining a global movement to protect our environment.

Join Us This September

E.J. Harrison & Sons is proud to continue supporting this important tradition, and we invite you to participate with us. Together, we can keep our beaches and waterways clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.

Learn more and find your cleanup site at vccoastcleanup.org.

Each week, you place your trash, recyclables, green waste, and food waste into the proper E.J. Harrison & Sons carts, close the lids, and roll them to the curb. Your part is simple — but what happens next is worth celebrating.

For more than 35 years, Harrison Industries, Gold Coast Recycling, and Agromin have worked together to keep Ventura County and surrounding communities at the forefront of California’s recycling movement.

How Harrison Industries Helped Lead California’s Recycling Movement

In 1989, California Assembly Bill 939 introduced bold recycling mandates, requiring cities and counties to divert 25% of solid waste from landfills by 1995 and 50% by 2000.

That same year, Gold Coast Recycling (GCR) opened its doors in Ventura with the purpose of helping cities meet those mandates. GCR was the first facility in the state permitted under the new law, setting the stage for decades of progress.

The Role of Agromin in Organics Recycling

While GCR was pioneering recycling processing, Agromin was building a future for organics. Having started in 1972 as a small soil company, Agromin expanded in 1990 to produce rich, chemical-free compost and mulch from community green waste and food scraps.

Today, Agromin transforms thousands of tons of organics each year into healthy soil products used in landscaping and agriculture across California.

Where Your Recyclables and Organics Go

• Recyclables: The items in your blue cart are collected by Harrison trucks and processed at GCR’s 7.8-acre Colt Street facility in Ventura, which handles more than 90,000 tons annually.

• Green waste: Yard trimmings from your organics cart are sorted at GCR, then transported to Limoneira in Santa Paula for composting.

• Food waste: Bagged food scraps are sent to Agromin’s facility at the Simi Valley Landfill, where they are decontaminated, blended with mulch, and composted in Kern County.

Instead of ending up in landfills, these materials return to the environment as valuable soil amendments.

Communities Served

Together, Harrison, GCR, and Agromin proudly serve:

• The unincorporated areas of Ventura County

• The cities of Ventura, Ojai, Camarillo, Fillmore

• Channel Islands Beach Community Services District

• CSU Channel Islands

• The city of Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County

Your Role in the Recycling Partnership

By simply putting waste in the right cart, you are a vital part of this partnership. Every bag of food scraps and every bin of recyclables contributes to cleaner communities, reduced landfill use, and healthier soil for agriculture.

Together, we’ve built one of California’s most effective recycling systems — and with your continued participation, the future is even brighter.

Learn More

👉 Residential Food Waste Recycling Instructions