Media Advisory: New Compost Hub in San José Will Provide Residents with Free Compost, Mulch for Home Gardening and Landscaping
Post Date:07/30/2026 9:00 AMMedia Contact
Carlos Velazquez, Public Information Manager, Environmental Services Department
408-535-8168; carlos.velazquez@sanjoseca.gov
Advisory
Detail
What:
The City of San José’s Environmental Services Department is partnering with Veggielution to celebrate the opening of the City’s first self-serve compost hub, a new monthly compost and mulch giveaway for San José residents.
When:
Saturday, August 1, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. Compost and mulch giveaway
10:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. Gardening Resource Fair
10:45 – 11 a.m. Remarks by Mayor Matt Mahan and guests
11 – 11:15 a.m. Photo opportunity with Mayor Mahan and Councilmember Peter Ortiz
Where:
Emma Prusch Farm Park
647 S. King Road San José
For free compost and mulch giveaway enter the park at 1044 Knox Ave. San José.
Remarks will take place at the Veggielution Pavilion and will coincide with Veggielution’s First Saturday community event at the same location and a gardening resource fair organized by the City’s Environmental Services Department.
Who:
Mayor Matt Mahan
Councilmember Peter Ortiz, District 5
Judy Erlandson, Deputy Director, Integrated Waste Management, Environmental Services Department
Background:
Residential yard trimmings and food scraps collected by the City’s contracted hauler, GreenWaste Recovery, are processed into high-quality compost and mulch. Residents can pick up these materials at no cost at our brand-new self-service compost hub. Compost can be used for home gardening and landscaping projects.
The compost hub will be available to residents most first Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Emma Prusch Farm Park. Visit SJEnvironment.org/Compost to confirm dates and check for additional sites as we work to establish more hubs around San José.
Our inaugural compost pick-up date coincides with Veggielution’s first Saturday Community Event at the farm, where the City will also be hosting a Gardening Resource Fair, with free California native plant seeds and valuable information on gardening and water efficiency. Participating organizations include: Valley Water, Loaves and Fishes, UCCE/Master Gardeners, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space, Pollinator Partnership, Our City Forest, and the California Native Plant Society Santa Clara Valley Chapter.
Guidelines for compost/mulch giveaway include:
City of San José residents ONLY.
This service is only for residents — no commercial use is allowed.
Bring your own containers, gloves, and shovels.
The self-serve compost hub is open on a first-come, first-serve basis. Material are provided “as is” and with all faults.
