Expanded regional food waste recycling is now operational for Ventura commercial customers.

A major step forward in Ventura County’s food waste recycling system is now fully operational.

Just months after opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Mountain View Organic Waste Processing Facility is already receiving commercial food waste collected by E.J. Harrison trucks directly from local routes. That means material is now moving faster through the recycling process, improving efficiency and helping businesses comply with California organic waste laws.

According to Agromin CEO Bill Camarillo, the facility is currently processing about 40 tons of material per day and producing a clean food waste slurry designed for multiple beneficial uses.

Why This Facility Matters

California Senate Bill 1383 requires businesses to divert food waste and other organic materials away from landfills in order to reduce methane emissions.

The Mountain View facility improves local capacity to process commercial food waste while reducing contamination issues that often slow recycling systems down.

One of the facility’s biggest strengths is contamination removal. Equipment is designed to separate food from common nonfood materials such as:

• plastic containers

• clamshell packaging

• bags

• glass

• metal

More than 95% of food material is being recovered from collected waste streams.

What Happens to the Recovered Material?

Once processed, the resulting clean slurry can be used for:

• animal feed

• fertilizer

• energy production

This creates a stronger circular waste system where commercial food waste becomes a usable resource instead of landfill material.

Trash Collection Schedule to Remain Unchanged for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Regular Trash, Recycling, and Organics Pickup in Ventura County

Harrison Industries will maintain its regular trash, recycling, and yard/organics waste collection schedule throughout Ventura County during the week of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 18–24, 2026.

There will be no service delays or changes due to the holiday. Customers should place their carts curbside on their regularly scheduled collection day.

Weekly Collection for All Three Residential Carts

Harrison Industries provides weekly residential collection for trash, recycling, and organics carts. This includes weekly food waste pickup, which is required under California law.

Residents may place all three carts curbside every week, even if one or more carts are only partially full. Consistent participation supports efficient service and keeps recyclable materials out of landfills.

How to Properly Dispose of Food Waste

Bag Food Waste Before Placing It in the Organics Cart

All food waste must be placed in closed paper or plastic bags before being added to the organics waste cart. Bagging food waste helps reduce odors, prevents spills, and keeps carts clean.

Even if you do not have yard waste, you should still place bagged food waste in your organics cart and set it out for weekly collection.

Accepted Food Waste Materials

Examples of acceptable food waste include:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Meat, poultry, and fish (raw or cooked)
• Dairy products
• Leftover or spoiled food
• Food-soiled paper such as napkins and paper towels

If the item came from the kitchen and is not liquid, it likely belongs in the organics cart when properly bagged.

Why Food Waste Recycling Is Important

Food waste recycling helps protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

When food waste breaks down in landfills, it produces methane gas, a powerful contributor to climate change. Recycling food waste diverts organic material from landfills and allows it to be processed into compost or renewable energy.

Environmental benefits include:

• Reduced methane emissions
• Improved soil health
• Extended landfill lifespan
• A more sustainable local waste system

Thank You for Supporting Ventura County’s Food Waste Recycling Program

Harrison Industries thanks its residential customers for their continued participation. Every correctly sorted cart helps create a cleaner, healthier Ventura County.

If you have questions about sorting, acceptable materials, or your trash collection schedule, please contact Harrison Industries customer service or visit the request services link for more information.

Follow Us to Learn More 

Trash, recycling, and organics pickup will continue as scheduled during the week of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Ventura County. Learn how to properly dispose of food waste and keep your collection on track by signing up for our newsletter or following us on social media at the links below. 

Holiday Trash Collection Schedule Changes

E.J. Harrison & Sons is reminding customers of minor trash collection schedule changes during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. In observance of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, Harrison employees will be off on Thursday, Dec. 25, and Thursday, Jan. 1.

As a result, trash, recycling, and yard or organics waste will be collected one day later than usual during both holiday weeks for Thursday and Friday customers only. Customers with Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday service will not experience any delay. All routes will return to their regular schedule the following week.

See our full 2025 Holiday Schedule here.

Extra Holiday Trash Pickup at No Charge

To help customers manage additional waste during the holidays, Harrison is offering an extra holiday service. For two weeks following Christmas, customers may place up to twice the usual amount of residential trash at the curb at no additional cost.

From Friday, Dec. 26, through Monday, Jan. 16, extra trash bags may be placed alongside the regular trash cart on your scheduled pickup day. All extra trash must be bagged. Customers may also place additional recyclables next to their blue recycling cart, and all cardboard boxes should be flattened.

Easy Christmas Tree Recycling Program

Harrison also makes it easy to recycle Christmas trees after the holidays. From Dec. 26 through Jan. 16, customers can recycle their trees alongside their normal trash, recycling and organic waste pick-up.

The preferred method is to remove all decorations, including ornaments, hooks, lights, tinsel, and stands, then cut the tree into four-foot sections and place the pieces inside the organics or yard waste cart. Whole trees may also be placed at the curb on collection day if needed and flocked trees are also accepted.

Recycled Christmas trees are processed into mulch by Harrison’s partner, Agromin. The finished products support local farms, orchards, nurseries, landscaping projects, and home gardens, making tree recycling a simple way to give back to the environment.

Weekly Organics and Food Waste Collection Reminder

Remember, Harrison residential customers may place all three carts at the curb every week. Trash, recycling, and organics are collected weekly, including food waste.

Food waste should be placed in closed paper or plastic bags and then put into the organics waste cart. This helps prevent contamination, as food waste and yard waste are processed separately. Even if you only have food waste and no yard waste, the organics cart should still be placed curbside for weekly pickup.

Harrison thanks its customers, partners Agromin and Gold Coast Recycling, and local municipalities for participating in these holiday programs and helping keep Ventura County clean and sustainable.

Learn more about Food Waste Recycling here!

Thanksgiving Week Trash Collection Schedule for Harrison Customers

Harrison Industries will adjust service schedules for the Thanksgiving holiday. In observance of the holiday, employees will have Thursday, November 27 off. Because of this closure, customers with Thursday or Friday service will have their trash, recycling, and yard or organics collection delayed by one day during the week of November 23 to 29.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday customers will not experience any changes. Normal collection schedules for all customers will resume the following week.

Holiday Reminder: Keep Recycling Your Food Waste

As we enter the holiday season, Harrison encourages all customers to continue recycling their food waste. This time of year traditionally produces a significant increase in food waste from Thanksgiving through the new year, making proper disposal more important than ever.

Residential customers can place all three carts at the curb each week. Harrison collects trash, recyclables, and yard or organics waste weekly, including food scraps. All food waste should be placed inside paper or plastic bags, securely tied, and then placed in the yard or organics cart.

Recycling food waste is required by state law and is one of the most effective ways to reduce harmful methane emissions from landfills. When food waste decomposes at a landfill, it emits methane, a major contributor to climate change. By participating in food waste recycling, you help protect the environment and keep our communities sustainable.

Harrison Industries appreciates your continued commitment to proper recycling and waste reduction. Your efforts directly support the success of our food waste recycling program and help create a cleaner future for Ventura County.

For more information on Food Waste Recycling guidelines and tips, visit https://ejharrison.com/food-waste/.