Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for San Buenaventura (Ventura)
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday, depending on your street address.
Recycling
Weekly, picked up on the same day as trash.
Yard Waste
Weekly, picked up on the same day as trash (includes bagged food waste).
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling services in Ventura are provided by franchise hauler E.J. Harrison & Sons and are billed directly through their payment portal.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Gray (or Dark Green transitioning to Gray) Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be securely bagged before being placed in the cart to prevent loose litter. The cart lid must close completely, as overflow materials are not collected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Diapers and pet waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam and foam products
- ✓Broken ceramics and window glass
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Keep all recyclables loose, clean, and dry inside the blue cart. Never bag your clean recyclables in plastic garbage bags, as they easily tangle the local sorting machinery at Gold Coast Recycling.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper, mail, and flattened cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Rigid plastic containers and milk jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags and film wrap
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Tanglers (cords, wires, hoses)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Standard yard waste must remain loose in the green cart. However, all food scraps and kitchen waste must be sealed in a bag of your choice before being tossed into the bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged food waste (meat, dairy, produce, bones)
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Leaves and small branches
- ✓Prunings and untreated wood
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
2 free pick-ups per 12-month period (up to 4 items total)
Placement
Once confirmed, place approved bulky items safely at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled pick-up day, ensuring they do not block traffic, sidewalks, or your automated carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Broken or old furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Household appliances
- ✓ Water heaters
- ✓ Tires
- ✓ Carpet
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid waste
- ✕ Automotive parts (other than tires)
The allowance of two pick-ups (maximum 4 items) is free annually. Additional items or pick-ups can be easily arranged with E.J. Harrison for an extra fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collection for that day and the remainder of the week will be pushed back by exactly one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Your green organics cart follows the exact same one-day delay schedule as standard trash and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no disruptions to the regular E.J. Harrison collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter (Post-Holiday)
Late December through Mid-JanuaryTo help residents manage holiday excess, E.J. Harrison allows customers to place up to twice their usual amount of bagged trash next to their bin at no extra charge. Bare, unflocked Christmas trees can also be left at the curb for recycling during this window.
Spring/Summer
Year-RoundThe City of Ventura offers free community mulch on a first-come, first-served basis at Cornucopia Gardens off Telephone Road. Residents can also purchase discounted worm bins and composters at Green Thumb Nursery by showing proof of residency.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turning Your Cans into Cash in Ventura: Where to Get Paid for Your Recyclables!
Hey Ventura neighbors! Did you know some of those bottles and cans you’re collecting can actually put a few bucks back in your pocket? While Ventura itself might not have a direct city-run buyback center, you're in luck because California has a fantastic CRV (California Redemption Value) program. This means you can take your empty beverage containers (like soda and water bottles and cans) to participating recycling centers. Look for places like Bottle & Can Redemption Centers or even some grocery stores that offer this service. It's a win-win – you help the environment and earn some cash. For scrap metal or other recyclables, you'll want to search for local scrap yards in the wider Ventura County area. They often pay based on the weight and type of metal you bring in.
Giving Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in San Buenaventura!
Before you toss perfectly good items, think about donating them! For clothing, furniture, household goods, and even books, consider checking out the National Council of Jewish Women Thrift Store right here in Ventura. They do a great job of helping out the community with their proceeds. Another fantastic option is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Camarillo, which is just a short drive away and accepts furniture, appliances, building materials, and home decor. It’s a wonderful way to declutter your home and support local causes at the same time.
Keeping Our Ventura Shores and Streets Clean: Tackling Dumping and Finding Clean-Up Fun!
Nobody likes seeing trash where it doesn't belong in our beautiful city of San Buenaventura. If you ever spot illegal dumping, the best way to help is to report it. You can usually do this directly through the City of San Buenaventura's website or by calling their public works department at (805) 658-4321. They're equipped to handle these situations. Keep an eye out for community clean-up events advertised by local organizations or the city itself; these are great opportunities to get involved, meet neighbors, and make a real difference in keeping Ventura looking its best.
Drop-off Facilities
Gold Coast Recycling & Transfer Station
5275 Colt St., Ventura, CA 93003
Materials Accepted
City of Ventura Monthly HHW Collection Event
Pollution Prevention Center, 5777 N Ventura Ave, Ventura CA 93001
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I properly dispose of food waste in the City of Ventura?
To comply with California's SB 1383, Ventura residents must place all food waste into their green yard waste cart. However, you must first seal your food scraps in a bag of your choice before tossing it in with your loose yard trimmings.
Who is the residential trash hauler for Ventura, and what are their hours?
E.J. Harrison & Sons holds the exclusive franchise agreement for residential solid waste in San Buenaventura. You can reach their customer service at (805) 647-1414 to schedule bulk pickups or handle billing inquiries.
How many bulky items can I throw away for free?
Residents are entitled to dispose of up to four (4) bulky items per 12-month period at no extra charge. This allowance is divided across two scheduled pick-ups per year. You must contact E.J. Harrison in advance to schedule the service.
Where can I drop off hazardous waste like motor oil or old paint?
Ventura residents can take limited hazardous items (like antifreeze, batteries, oil, latex paint, and e-waste) to Gold Coast Recycling at 5275 Colt Street during business hours. For highly toxic items like pesticides and solvents, you must schedule an appointment for the city's monthly HHW event held on the third Saturday of the month.