50 Years and Counting:

E.J. Harrison & Sons and the Ojai Valley

Did you know our local trash and recycling hauler, E.J. Harrison & Sons, is celebrating its 50th year of servicing the Ojai Valley this month? The locally based company was founded in 1932 and is one of the oldest and largest privately owned collection businesses in the U.S. - serving over 90,000 customers. Maybe it's their company motto, "Service is Everything" that has ensured their success and longevity. Or maybe the fact that it's still a family run business with Ralph Harrison as President, and his brothers Jim and Myron serving as Vice Presidents.

Along with company partners Gold Coast Recycling and Transfer Station and Agromin, Harrison offers Ojai commercial and residential trash removal, recycling, green waste recycling, roll-off trash bins, and bulk item removal.

E.J. Harrison & Sons is also our "In Pursuit of Zero Waste" educational series sponsor this year:

• Sunday, November 8 - Ojai Film Festival screening, panel discussion and mini-expo
• Monday, November 9 - Harrison Recycling Facility Tour
• Thursday, November 12 - Harrison Recycling Facility Tour

If you've lived in the Ojai area most of your life you probably don't really think about your trash removal. It works. However, if you visit other areas across the U.S. you may discover how lucky we are to be offered all these conveniences and green services available at curbside. Much of the rest of the country is only now thinking about recycling and green waste options. Harrison has allowed Ojai and the surrounding areas to be ahead of the game in waste management.

to read more click here.

Speaking of Zero Waste...

It's time to start thinking about how we can reduce, reuse and recycle for the holidays AND in our gift giving. The Coalition is your one-stop shop for tips and guidelines for 'greening' your holidays, and we suggest a gift membership to the Coalition as a great gift because:

• It isn't a 'thing' made outside our Valley, much less overseas;
• It supports a local organization, doing local environmental work;
• Doesn't take up space or have to be stored­, or wrapped!
• No chance of it being re-gifted

Whatever road you travel this holiday season the Board and Staff of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition wish you safe, healthy and happy times.

Deborah, Ched,
David, Chris, Noel,
Joanie, & Margaret

p.s. If you could gift us with time this week, that would be awesome, too. We're envelope stuffing through Friday. Details here.

2016 is Going to Be Awesome!

Our annual membership drive is on - November 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016. For the 4th year we are so grateful to have an Ojai family come forward to offer a $10,000 matching challenge. This means your membership, membership renewal, and/or extra year-end gift will be doubled! Look for us in your mailbox (if we have your address) and please support the Coalition's good work on behalf of all of us. Or you can renew right now, while you're thinking about it.

To also help the Coalition move forward the City of Ojai has recently awarded us $50,000 for its fiscal year July 2015 to June 2016. We are so excited to expand our services, educational offerings and projects.

And with the City's support, we will be able to hire a new Executive Director in 2016, so I can focus on program work - my real passion. As we go into our 10th year, the Coalition is positioned to move to the next level as an organization.

Please join us as we move forward, together - it's going to be an awesome year!

Thank you,

Deborah

Deborah Pendrey
Executive Director
Ojai Valley Green Coalition

Green Living Tour & Home Show
is Moving to Springtime!

"Before" shot of El Toro Estate in 2014; the "after" tour in 2016 will be amazing!

Please send a message if you: would like to consider being a site coordinator (worth a $250 level sponsorship); would like to consider sponsoring; or, have a home and/or site you think would be a good candidate for the tour.

Thank you!

Your tour co-chairs: Hildegard & Deborah