SDCEA Clean and Green: Powered by Community

Many homeowners participated in the SDCEA's Spring Clean-up and Jan Ryan's SDCE Yard Sale last month. These were community-wide efforts to recycle and reuse locally, and we would like to introduce Ramona Disposal, Ramona Food & Clothes Closet, and Sustainable Ramona as our key local collaborators in the Clean Green Day for all to Recycle, Reuse, and Be Earth Friendly this summer.

Recycle

The Ramona Disposal  team is proudly family-owned and operated, serving the integrated waste and recycling needs of Ramona, Julian, and the backcountry of San Diego County. Built on a "We'll Take Care of It" philosophy, they combine superior customer service with innovative solutions to keep communities clean and green.

With a strong emphasis on recycling, Ramona Disposal operates a network of specialized facilities—a Material Recovery Facility, a Construction & Demolition Processing Facility, a Buyback Center, and a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center—to maximize resource recovery. Their tailored collection programs, supported by dedicated team members and state-of-the-art equipment, address the unique needs of local neighborhoods.

Recognized as an industry pioneer, Ramona Disposal also gives back through community partnerships and volunteer efforts. Their mission is to efficiently meet customers' waste, disposal, and recycling needs while fostering a safe and rewarding workplace—and consistently delivering with integrity and commitment. Learn more at ramonadisposal.com.

Reuse

The Ramona Food & Clothes Closet (RFCC) is more than just a thrift store—it's a vital community resource. Their mission is to provide emergency food, clothing, and household essentials to low-income individuals and families across Ramona and nearby rural communities, including Julian, Santa Ysabel, Borrego Springs, and beyond.

Thanks to generous donations and the efforts of volunteers, the RFCC supports a wide range of programs—from scholarships and community grants to free medical equipment loans and disaster relief. Net profits from thrift store sales are reinvested directly into the community, supporting local nonprofits like the library, senior center, and others.



They also offer monthly food distributions through partnerships with the San Diego Food Bank and Feeding San Diego and run the heartwarming "Share Your Christmas" program each holiday season. Learn more, donate, or get involved at www.foodandclothescloset.org.

Be Earth Friendly

Sustainable Ramona is leading our town's shift toward a land- and people-friendly future, complete with a thriving local economy and its own community microgrid. Their mission? To guide Ramona's transition to a sustainable climate through education, connections, hands-on projects, advocacy, and ultimately, a profitable, independent, electricity-producing microgrid.

Key goals include advancing community knowledge on green jobs, homeowner opportunities, water management, and agricultural best practices; forging partnerships with county and state initiatives; and launching visible projects such as community gardens, tree-planting events, and neighborhood compost "drives." They also champion successes already underway in Ramona and work to harness our abundant sun and wind to power—and profit—the region.

Concrete objectives are to host an impactful Earth Day event, establish a community garden by year's end, and offer monthly presentations on renewable energy, electrified buildings, transportation, fire safety, water use, and waste reduction. By spotlighting career and business opportunities in climate technology, Sustainable Ramona equips residents for tomorrow's green economy. Learn more or get involved at sustainableramona.com.