Gold Coast Recycling celebrates 30 years in Ventura

VENTURA, Calif. -- Gold Coast Recycling celebrates 30 years in business on Monday in Ventura.

Gold Coast Recycling welcomed local dignitaries and other to see the facility and to officially cut the ribbon on its new state-of-the-art sorting, picking and baling systems.

The event brought out 150 invited guests to the facility at 5275 Colt Street in Ventura.

The event had brief speeches and commemorations, the ribbon-cutting and hard-hat tours through the massive recycling operation followed by lunch from In-N-Out burger and cake.

Gold Coast Recycling was produced by the E.J. Harrison & Sons trash company which was founded by E.J. and Myra Harrison in 1989. Their three sons Ralph, Jim and Myron continue to run E.J. Harrison & Sons today.

During the event, George Harrison, the Gold Coast General Manager, addressed the recent downturn in the recycling industry generated by the recent loss of China as the world's premier buyer of recycled materials.

“China’s decision to no longer accept material for recycling has sent the marketplace into a downward spiral. Other countries are trying to accept recycled material, but they have the tough requirement of 1.5% contamination. However, because of this new equipment you will view today, we can meet their tough requirement. We did the right thing and invested millions to upgrade our equipment so that we can produce the material that meets this new tough standard, so that we can survive in this down market. Today we can produce the material quicker and cleaner AND we are selling it – not for the same higher prices but for GCR it is (landfill) diversion that counts.”"

Gold Coast General Manager George Harrison

Officials in attendance were Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, Ventura County Supervisor Kelly Long, Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere, Ventura City Councilmembers Cheryl Heitmann and Jim Friedman, Ventura Police Chief Ken Corney and Assistant Police Chief Darrin Schindler, Ojai Mayor Johnny Johnston, Camarillo Mayor Kevin Kildee, Fillmore City Councilman Manuel Minjares, and representatives for state Assemblywomen Monique Limon (Angela Cisneros) and Jacqui Irwin (Ryan Mundy) and U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (Sasha Davidson).

These officials presented Gold Coast with official proclamations for their remarkable work over 30 years.

For more info on Gold Coast Recycling click here.