San Diego County Compost and Mulch Resource Hub

A pile of food scraps like potato peels, carrot peels, and egg shells next to processed compost and 2 hands holding finished compost.

From food scraps to garden gold! 

Healthy soils and healthy communities start with simple everyday actions. When we properly separate food scraps, food-soiled paper napkins and towels, and yard trimmings, we transform everyday materials into nutrient‑rich soil that supports healthier plants, conserves water, and strengthens our environment. This hub connects residents across San Diego County with local compost and mulch resources so you can nuture your farms and gardens and grow something great.

Find Compost and Mulch Near Me

Expand All | Collapse All

  • City of Chula Vista

    September 12 | Otay Sustainability Park

    • WHEN: Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
    • WHERE: Otay Sustainability Park - 1700 Maxwell Road, Chula Vista, 91911
    • WHAT: Compost available (FREE)
    • HOW: This is a self-serve and self-loading event so please bring your own buckets, shovels, containers, and tarps for truck beds.
    • For questions or more information, call 619-691-5122

    ........................................

    November 14 | Otay Sustainability Park

    • WHEN: Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
    • WHERE: Otay Sustainability Park - 1700 Maxwell Road, Chula Vista, 91911
    • WHAT: Compost available (FREE)
    • HOW: This is a self-serve and self-loading event so please bring your own buckets, shovels, containers, and tarps for truck beds.
    • For questions or more information, call 619-691-5122

     

  • City of La Mesa

    Summer | La Mesa Public Works Yard

    • WHEN: Available during the summertime only (typically May - October). 7 days a week from Sunrise - Sunset.
    • WHERE:  La Mesa Public Works Yard - 8152 Commercial St., La Mesa, CA 91942 (near gas pumps)
    • WHAT: Community compost pile available (FREE)! Compost is available for City of La Mesa community members and is being restocked almost every week. 
    • HOW: This is a self-serve, self-loading, and self-haul service, so please bring your own cans/bags, gloves, and shovel. If loading the bed of a truck, bring a tarp to cover the compost. Please do not block the gas pumps. 
    • For more information visit the City of La Mesa's website. 

     

  • City of Oceanside

    Year-Round | El Corazon Compost Facility

    • WHEN: Available year round! 
      • Monday - Friday, from 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
      • Saturdays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
      • Closed on Sundays
    • WHERE:  El Corazon Compost Facility - 3210 Oceanside Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92056
    • WHAT: Compost and Mulch available for City of Oceanside residents (FREE)
    • HOW: This is a self-serve, self-loading, and self-haul service, so please bring your own shovels, containers, and tarps for truck beds. 

     

  • City of San Diego

    Year-Round | Miramar Greenery

    • WHEN: Available all year. Monday - Saturday from 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Some closures for holidays and inclement weather.
    • WHERE: Miramar Greenery - 5180 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
    • WHAT: Up to two cubic yards of Compost and Mulch available for City of San Diego residents per visit (FREE). *Must bring proof of City of San Diego residency.
    • HOW: This is a self-serve, self-loading, and self-haul service, so please bring your own shovel, gloves, containers, and tarps/bungees for truck beds. All truck beds must be covered. 
    • For more information, please visit the City of San Diego Free Compost and Mulch page.

    ........................................

    October 3 | Chollas Lake, Glorias Mesa Park 

    • WHEN: Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    • WHERE: Chollas Lake, Glorias Mesa Park - 6350 College Grove Drive, San Diego, CA 92115
    • WHAT: Compost and Mulch available for City of San Diego residents (FREE)
    • HOW: This is a self-serve, self-loading, and self-haul service, so please bring your own shovel, gloves, containers, and tarps/bungees for truck beds. All truck beds must be covered. 
    • For more information, please visit the City of San Diego Compost Giveaway Event Page.

    ........................................

    October 31 | Los Peñasquitos Ranch House

    • WHEN: Saturday, October 31, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    • WHERE: Los Peñasquitos Ranch House - 2122 Canyonside Park Drive, San Diego, CA 92129
    • WHAT: Compost and Mulch available for City of San Diego residents (FREE)
    • HOW: This is a self-serve, self-loading, and self-haul service, so please bring your own shovel, gloves, containers, and tarps/bungees for truck beds. All truck beds must be covered. 
    • For more information, please visit the City of San Diego Compost Giveaway Event Page.

     

  • City of Solana Beach

    Year-Round | Solana Beach Public Works Yard

    Pick up free compost at Solana Beach's Community Compost Hub! Provided by EDCO, the compost at this hub started off at home in your green bin. The City of Solana Beach's local waste hauler, EDCO, collects organic waste and transforms it into a nutrient rich compost for your garden through their anaerobic digester. Adding compost to your plants and garden enhances soil fertility, increases water retention, and reduces erosion.

    • WHEN: Available year-round!  Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
    • WHERE: Solana Beach Public Works Yard - 1764 Highland Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075
    • WHAT: Compost available for City of Solana Beach residents (FREE)
    • HOW: Please bring your own container. Small scoops are available on site.
    • For additional details, visit the City of Solana Beach event webpage.

     

  • Republic Services Customers

    September 12 | Otay Sustainability Park

    • WHEN: Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
    • WHERE: Otay Sustainability Park - 1700 Maxwell Road, Chula Vista, 91911
    • WHAT: Compost available to all Republic Services customers (FREE). *A Republic bill/invoice is required to participate.
    • HOW: This is a self-serve and self-loading event so please bring your own buckets, shovels, containers, and tarps for truck beds.
    • For questions or more information, call 619-691-5122

    ........................................

    November 14 | Otay Sustainability Park

    • WHEN: Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
    • WHERE: Otay Sustainability Park - 1700 Maxwell Road, Chula Vista, 91911
    • WHAT: Compost available to all Republic Services customers (FREE). *A Republic bill/invoice is required to participate.
    • HOW: This is a self-serve and self-loading event so please bring your own buckets, shovels, containers, and tarps for truck beds.
    • For questions or more information, call 619-691-5122

     

  • Unincorporated County of San Diego

    October 1 - 8 | San Dieguito County Park

    • WHEN: Thursday, October 1 - Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (or while supplies last)
    • WHERE: San Dieguito County Park - 15936 El Camino Real, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
    • WHAT: Compost and mulch available (FREE)
    • HOW: This is a self-loading event, so bring your own tools, tarps, and containers.

    ........................................

    October 2 - 12 | Pine Valley County Park

    • WHEN: Friday, October 2 - Monday, October 12, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (or while supplies last)
    • WHERE: Pine Valley County Park - 28810 Old Hwy 80, Pine Valley, CA 91962
    • WHAT: Compost and mulch available (FREE)
    • HOW: This is a self-loading event, so bring your own tools, tarps, and containers.

     

Recycling Programs

Have a recycling question? Email Recycle@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 877-713-2784.