Mountain View, CA
Home MenuComposting
Residents can get free compost, take a workshop and get a compost bin, join gardening clubs, and learn about yard trimmings and food scraps programs. Looking for food scraps? Visit the Food Scraps page.
Free Ready-To-Use Compost and Mulch
Mountain View residents may pick up free finished compost and tan mini-mulch at the SMaRT Station seven days a week, which is located at 301 Carl Road at the intersection of Caribbean Drive and Borregas Avenue in Sunnyvale (408-752-8530).
**NEW** DOUBLE YOUR COMPOST MULCH!!! The amount of compost and mulch you can pick-up per visit has increased from 96 gallons to 200 gallons each. See the SMaRT Station compost and mulch flyer for more information.
Compost Product
The free compost available at the SMaRT Station is from Greenwaste Recovery. It is their Z-Best Organic Compost produced from 100% recycled yard trimings. The organic compost product is certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) and the U.S. Composting Council.
The compost is also an SB 1383 compliant product which means every time you use free compost from the SMaRT Station you are helping the City of Mountain View reach its organic waste product procurement target set by the State of California.
How to Prepare for Your Visit
- Please bring your own shovel and container(s) to load and transport the material.
- Bring proof of Mountain View residency (e.g., driver's license, utility bill).
- There is a limit of 200 gallons per visit each for compost and mulch.
- Follow the SMaRT Station's tarping requirements to avoid fees.
Compost Workshops & Bins
Learn how to turn your grass, leaves and kitchen scraps into nutritious soil for your garden.
The Santa Clara County Home Composting Education Program offers workshops in Mountain View and throughout the county. In 2024, Mountain View workshops will be on the following dates:
- Saturday, May 18 from 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
- Saturday, October 5 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Composting Education Program registration is required.
See the full list of classes in Mountain View and other locations. You must pre-register for the workshop and can also learn how to get a compost bin by contacting the Rotline at 408-918-4640 or online at the Composting Education Program website.
In addition, you can also join neighborhood composters or learn more by searching the web or visiting these websites:
- Bay Area Recycling Outreach Coalition "Food Too Good To Waste" has lots of tips.
- Peninsula Composting Club is a peer-to-peer email support network of Bay Area composting enthusiasts eager to share their experiences and learn from others' experiences.
- Mountain View Neighborhood Associations or neighborhood composting groups or blogs.
- South Bay Green Gardens for one-stop information about water conservation, composting, integrated pest management, plant selection and classes and events related to sustainable gardening. Program is funded by a collaboration of governmental agencies in Santa Clara and San Mateo County.
- Water Conservation for more information about how to save water in Mountain View.
Master Composters
Learn more about how to compost in your back yard and teach others by becoming a Master Composter in Santa Clara County. Call 408-918-4640 or visit the Composting Education Program website for more information.
Training includes workshops on the art and science of basic and worm composting, field trips, certification and all training materials. Master Composter training enhances the skills of community leaders, activists, educators, environmentalists, gardeners, and recyclers. We encourage adults of all ages and abilities to apply. If you have ideas and energy for community participation, this class is for you.
Yard Trimmings Service
Visit the Food Scraps Composting website page for collection service information.
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