Urban Tilth is exploring a new partnership that could bring free compost pick up to the North Richmond Farm Monday through Friday, creating a new resource for local gardeners, residents, and community spaces.
RecycleMore, the recycling and solid waste authority that serves Richmond, Hercules, San Pablo, El Cerrito, and Pinole, collects green waste and food scraps from residents across these cities. This organic material is processed and turned into compost that can be used to enrich soil, support plant growth, and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.
RecycleMore is a joint powers authority formed by these cities to work together on managing solid waste and increasing recycling and composting efforts across the region. Their programs help divert organic materials from landfills while turning those materials into a resource that can support healthier soils and more resilient local ecosystems.
As California continues to expand policies encouraging residents to recycle organic waste and reduce landfill use, more green waste is being collected and processed than ever before. This has resulted in a growing supply of compost that needs to be distributed back into the community.
In the past, RecycleMore has shared compost with residents through special events such as Earth Day celebrations and other community gatherings. While these events have been successful, they do not distribute nearly enough of the compost that is produced throughout the year.
To help address this need, RecycleMore has reached out to Urban Tilth to explore creating a permanent compost distribution site at the North Richmond Farm. The goal is to establish a consistent location where residents can pick up compost throughout the week and use it in their gardens, yards, and community growing spaces.
Urban Tilth is currently working with RecycleMore and Contra Costa County to design and develop a dedicated area at the farm where compost can be safely stored and distributed. This process includes applying for the necessary permits, creating simple site plans for managing the material, and planning clear signage so visitors know exactly where to go when they arrive.
Accessibility and clarity are important priorities for this project. The team is working to ensure that the distribution area is easy to navigate and that instructions are clearly communicated so residents can easily pick up compost and bring it home.
If approved and constructed as planned, this new program could launch later this summer, making the North Richmond Farm an even stronger hub for community resources.
This offering would join several other free resources currently available through the farm, including the free nursery stand where plants are given away, the seed saving library, and seasonal plant and produce giveaways. Residents in the Iron Triangle, Santa Fe, and Coronado neighborhoods can also receive free fruit trees by appointment, all available five days a week at the farm. Together, these programs help increase access to gardening materials and support residents in growing their own food and caring for local green spaces.
Urban Tilth will continue to share updates as plans move forward. Community members interested in receiving information about this program and other farm offerings are encouraged to sign up for our newsletters to stay informed.