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
!Contamination Tips
Bag the Food, Leave the Yard Waste Loose
Ventura's organics rule is unique: while grass clippings and leaves must go into the green cart loose, you are required to bag and seal all of your kitchen food scraps before tossing them in.
Keep the Blue Cart Free of Film
Never bundle your clean recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag. Plastic grocery bags and film wrap cannot be processed in the blue bin and will shut down the sorting equipment at the Gold Coast Materials Recovery Facility.
E-Waste Does Not Belong in the Trash
Old computers, cell phones, and televisions contain heavy metals and should never go in your gray cart. Ventura residents can drop off electronic waste completely free of charge at Gold Coast Recycling.
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.
About San Buenaventura (Ventura) Waste Management
Streamlined Curbside Collection with E.J. Harrison & Sons
In the City of San Buenaventura, commonly known as Ventura, residential solid waste and recycling services are managed through an exclusive franchise agreement with E.J. Harrison & Sons [1.2.3]. This long-standing partnership minimizes heavy truck traffic on coastal streets while keeping collection rates competitive. To guarantee a smooth automated pickup, residents must wheel their carts to the curb by 7:00 a.m. on their scheduled collection day. Bins should be placed two to three feet apart from one another and kept clear of parked cars, mailboxes, and overhanging trees, with the wheels resting directly against the curb.
SB 1383 Compliance: The Unique Bagged Food Waste Rule
Ventura has fully embraced California's SB 1383 organics recycling mandate, but with a highly specific local rule. Unlike many neighboring jurisdictions that require food scraps to be thrown in loose, the City of Ventura specifically requires residents to place all food waste into a sealed bag of their choice before tossing it into the green yard waste cart. To assist with this transition, the city provides free kitchen recycling pails, which can be picked up at the Maintenance Yard on Sanjon Road. Traditional yard trimmings like grass and leaves should continue to be placed loosely in the same green cart.
Year-Round Free Mulch and Composting Incentives
For residents looking to maintain vibrant coastal gardens while reducing their environmental footprint, Ventura offers excellent local incentives. High-quality, free mulch is available on a first-come, first-served basis at Cornucopia Gardens, conveniently located off Telephone Road across from Kimball Community Park. Additionally, the city sponsors a unique partnership with Green Thumb Nursery, allowing Ventura residents to purchase premium worm bins and backyard composters at a 50% discount simply by showing proof of residency.
Gold Coast Recycling and the Local ABOP Program
Improper disposal of hazardous materials poses severe risks to local waterways and collection crews. Fortunately, Ventura residents have free, year-round access to Gold Coast Recycling on Colt Street. Operating as an ABOP facility, they safely accept Antifreeze, Batteries, Oil, and Paint (latex only, up to 15 gallons). For highly toxic chemicals like pesticides, pool solvents, or oil-based paints that Gold Coast cannot process, the city hosts a specialized Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off event on the third Saturday of every month (except December) by appointment.
Taking Advantage of Free Bulky Item Pickups
Instead of paying high dump fees or contributing to illegal dumping, Ventura households can utilize E.J. Harrison's generous bulky item collection program. Residential customers are entitled to dispose of up to four large items over the course of two scheduled pick-ups every 12 months at no extra charge. Acceptable items range from broken furniture and mattresses to old appliances and tires. Simply contact E.J. Harrison customer service to schedule a date, and place the items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the confirmed morning.
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.