We all have a shared responsibility to protect the environment and it’s vital to explore sustainable ways to deal with items that are no longer needed.

While it’s generally easy to learn what should be placed in the trash, blue bin and green bin (which includes food waste), some other items require more consideration. 

Donations:

Ramona has two local thrift stores, Ramona Food & Clothes Closet and Goodwill, that accept many donations.  

Your old unwanted vehicle, running or not, is a potential tax write-off. Ask your favorite nonprofit or visit https://www.careasy.org/  for more information on how to dispose of it.             

It can take a little more effort to determine how to properly handle some items.

I Love a Clean San Diego/Waste Free SD has a searchable database at https://wastefreesd.org/. Here are some other helpful resources:

Recycling:

Ramona Disposal offers many recycling services to the community.  Here’s an overview; visit RamonaDisposal.com for details.  The “What Goes Where” section on their home page is particularly helpful. 

Electronic Waste Recycling: Small electronic items and batteries can be dropped off at no charge. 
Household Hazardous Waste includes items such as paint, motor oil, and pesticides. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility operates on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month, by appointment only: https://www.ramonadisposal.com/residential-waste-services/curbside-pickup/household-hazardous-waste/. 
Bulky Item Pickup is available for large residential items such as mattresses, water heaters, and furniture. This is currently free of charge to Ramona residents twice a year, limited to three items, with a reasonable fee charged for each additional item. 

In addition, electronic waste recycling events are often held at local churches and schools. 

Repair, Reuse, Repurpose options are becoming more popular not just due to environmental but also financial concerns.

Fix-It clinics. Sustainable Ramona supports Zero Waste San Diego’s annual San Diego Fix-It Clinic held at the Ramona Community Library.  These events provide experts to help fix an item such as a coffeemaker, vacuum, or bicycle.  Mobile clinics operate year-round; find one at zerowastesandiego.org. Zero Waste San Diego also has a Reuse & Repair Collective in downtown San Diego.
Repurpose before recycling: While these items can go in your blue bin, many can be reused. Here are just a couple: toilet tissue/paper towel rolls can be used to make bird feeders, seed starters, drawer organizers, wrapping paper holders, to organize cables, and much more. Plastic tubs such as those from coffee and yogurt make great storage containers for crafts and tools.
Seasonal items such as pumpkins & Christmas trees can be recycled in a curbside green bin or dropped off at a collection site, but why not ask a local farmer or animal sanctuary if their goats, pigs, and other animals might enjoy them? Many of them do!   

Boxes – Ask a local small business if they ship their products.  Resale shops and eBay sellers can often use a wide variety of sizes.

Worn flags:  Our VFW and the Ramona library accept worn flags for proper disposal. 

Plastic film can be dropped off at Stater Bros and Goodwill in Ramona.

Old towels, bedding, and fur coats: Many animal shelters and rescues appreciate these.

Clothing and textiles. Unwanted clothing and textiles can contribute significantly to landfill waste. If they aren’t donation-worthy, repurposing textiles into rags, quilts, or crafts can extend their life cycle.

By actively participating in these waste management strategies, we can all contribute to a cleaner, healthier Ramona. The key is awareness and action. Collaborate with neighbors and friends, spread the word about recycling events, and make a difference in our community.

Michelle Sund is secretary of the board of Sustainable Ramona.