Compost is a nutrient-rich soil amendment made of decomposed organic matter. It can be applied to soil improve moisture retention, promote plant growth, and draw down (sequester) carbon dioxide down from the atmosphere. 

Where can you find some nutrient-rich compost for your garden or house plants? 

Albany Compost Hub

Annual Compost Giveaway

Sorting and Composting at Home

 

Albany Compost Hub at Gill Tract

Free Compost for All!

NOTICE: The Compost Hub has moved to a new location at the Gill Tract Farm and can be accessed from Jackson St. 


The Albany Compost Hub at Gill Tract is now open every Sunday 12-4! The Compost Hub offers free, self-serve compost to all visitors.  The hub is funded by the City of Albany and is a partnership of the City, UC Berkeley, the Gill Tract Farmer's Coalition, and StopWaste.

Instructions for using the hub

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The hub is open on Sundays from 12PM-4PM.  Please note that the hub recently moved locations.  It can now be accessed by entering the farm from Jackson St. Burlap sacks are available on site, although you are encouraged to bring your own containers. 

The compost is self-serve, meaning you must load your containers yourself. You can bring your own containers or use the burlap sacks located next to the pile.

On your first visit, please fill out the Gill Tract waiver form. At every visit, please fill out the compost hub user survey. This helps us track usage and support future funding for the hub! 

Q&A

About the Hub
What is compost?
What kind of compost is at the hub?
Is there a limit to how much I can take?
Can I use the hub if I'm not an Albany resident?

Annual Compost Giveaway

Compost Bag

 

 Annually in April or May, the City of Albany, in partnership with Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC), provides 40 cubic yards of bagged compost to the Albany community. The bagged compost is WM EarthCare Homegrown Compost™ which is 100% local, and made from your own Bay Area yard trimmings and residential food scraps. Learn more at www.wmearthcare.com.

 

Sorting and Composting at Home

In Albany, the waste hauler picks up organic materials disposed of in curbside carts or bins and then takes the organic materials to a processing facility where it is turned into compost. Separating organic materials (food scraps, food-soiled paper, plant and yard waste) from trash and placing the organic materials in the organics cart or bin is now the law in California and in Albany. 

 To ensure that your organic materials are processed into nutrient-rich compost, only put the following items into your green cart or compost bin:

  • Food products: fruit, vegetables, breads, cereal, dairy, meat and bones, coffee grounds and coffee filters
  • Uncoated food-soiled paper: paper towels, paper plates without plastic coating (not glossy), napkins, pizza boxes
  • Plant and yard waste: wilted flowers, dead plants, twigs, leaves, hedge trimmings

Not sure if something is compostable? Search it using the RE:Source Guide!

Want to start your own compost pile? Learn how to start your own compost pile or worm compost bin!