Harrison and Agromin’s Food Waste Program Continues to Grow

Feb. 21, 2013 - PRLog -- Ventura, Calif.--In April 2012, Harrison Industries, a Ventura-based trash and recycling hauler, and strategic partner and organics recycler Agromin launched an innovative pilot program that is designed to one day virtually eliminate food waste from local landfills. In less than a year, Harrison trucks have collected more than 700 tons of food waste from restaurants, grocery stores, schools and other businesses with Agromin turning the waste into compost.

   Albertsons supermarkets in Ventura, Camarillo and Carpinteria were the first Harrison commercial customers to join the food waste program. Previously, food scraps from Albertsons’ meat, produce, deli, dairy, bakery and floral departments ended up in the trash. Now, the food scraps are placed in specially marked recycling barrels that Harrison trucks collect and deliver to Agromin. The Oxnard-based organics recovery company employs a Covered Aerated Static Pile System that mixes organic yard waste with food waste to create enriched compost and alternative fuels.

   In the year since it was launched, the food waste recycling program has grown to include over 30 Harrison commercial customers--from restaurants and supermarkets to hospitals, hotels and schools. Ventura County Jail’s Todd Road facility in the Santa Clara Valley has even joined the program.

   Participating Harrison customers are:

Ventura:  Albertsons; Community Memorial Hospital; Ventura County Medical Center;   Smart & Final; Brophy Bros. Restaurant & Clam Bar; Andria’s Seafood Restaurant; Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill;  Ventura Beach Marriott; Mimi’s Café; Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach; Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort;  Margarita Villa Mexican Restaurant; Harbor Sushi; The Greek At The Harbor; Christy’s Deli;  Milano’s Italian Restaurant; and Patagonia.

Camarillo: Albertsons; Marie Callender’s; Smart & Final; California State University, Channel Islands; and Solar World.

Ojai: Ojai Valley Community Hospital; St. Joseph’s Health and Retirement Center; Westridge Market; and Ojai Valley School.

Carpinteria: Albertsons and Sly’s.

   "It’s been a big success,” said Donald Sealund, food waste program coordinator for Harrison Industries. “Everyone’s been doing a great job, and we hope to keep adding customers to the program.”

   According to Natural Resources Defense Council, Americans throw away 40 percent of the food supply each year. "Millions of tons of food end up in landfills," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. "If we can transform just a small percentage of this waste into rich compost or biofuel, we can make better use of our resources and create a healthier planet. The participants in the food waste recycling program are at the forefront of these efforts."

   Harrison’s goal is to expand the program to include more businesses. For more information, call Sealund at 647-1414, ext. 4318.