Recycling Events
Free Workshops & Events
Compost & Mulch Giveaway Event
8:00am - 12:00pm, Chollas Lake Gloria Park
To increase opportunities for residents to pick up compost and mulch, I Love A Clean San Diego and the City of San Diego are partnering to host Compost & Mulch Giveaways. Get your hands on some nutrient-rich compost and mulch for your garden or landscaping at no cost. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, this event is perfect for anyone looking to give their plants a boost. Stop by and pick up some compost to help your yard thrive!
Miramar Greenery Open House
8:00am - 12:00pm
Tour. Learn. Take home free compost and mulch!
Join the City of San Diego for the Miramar Greenery Open House, a free community event highlighting how the Miramar Landfill and Greenery support resource recovery, climate action goals and sustainable landscaping practices across San Diego.
This event will give residents an inside look at landfill and composting operations, provide an opportunity to take home FREE compost and mulch, and offer educational activities to help residents better understand how to use compost and mulch in their home landscapes and gardens, as well as how everyday actions can become environmental solutions.
The event will include three main experiences:
- Guided Charter Bus Facility Tours
- Mulch & Compost Giveaway
- Interactive Education Station
REGISTER
sandiego.gov/miramargreeneryopenhouse
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Facility Tours
- Residents will have the opportunity to board a one-hour bus tour of the Miramar Landfill and Greenery to better understand what happens after materials are placed in trash or organic waste bins.
- Tour stops will include key operational areas, such as:
- The area of the landfill where trash is received and managed
- The Miramar Greenery, where plant and food materials are processed into compost and mulch
- Landfill gas collection system, which captures methane created as waste materials decompose, for energy generation or to safely burn off
- Tours are first-come, first-served and space is limited to 50 participants per tour
- Tour boarding times:
- 8 a.m.
- 9:30 a.m.
- 11 a.m.
- Open to residents of all ages, recommended for ages 10+. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- All tour participants must sign a safety waiver at tour check-in before boarding.
Compost and Mulch Giveaway
- City of San Diego residents may self-load up to two cubic yards of compost or 4-inch mulch for FREE with proof of residency and receipt (obtained at fee collection booth at landfill entrance).
- Compost and mulch can support healthy soils, improve moisture retention, reduce erosion, and give organic material a second life instead of ending up in the landfill.
- Residents should bring their own loading materials, such as:
- Shovels
- Buckets or containers
- Tarp or liner for their vehicle
- Cover/tarp for open-bed trucks (required)
Education Station
- The Education Station will offer family-friendly opportunities to learn more about the benefits of compost and mulch; what goes in trash, recycling and organic waste bins; waste reduction; and local sustainability programs.
- Activities include:
- Tips for using compost and mulch at home
- Seedling giveaways (while supplies last)
- Hands-on seed ball activity and giveaway
- Photo opportunities with trash trucks and equipment
- Compost storytime
- Drawing activities
IMPORTANT SAFETY AND FACILITY INFORMATION
The Miramar Landfill and Greenery is an active operations site. For everyone’s safety, residents must follow all posted signs, staff instructions and designated traffic routes. Participants should only perform tasks within their physical capability.
If vehicles are carrying ANY waste or items for disposal, standard landfill fees apply. Vehicles carrying items that may appear to be landfill waste may be subject to inspection and/or standard landfill fees.
COMPOST, MULCH AND GREENERY PRODUCT FEES
- City of San Diego residents may self-load up to two cubic yards of compost or 4-inch mulch for FREE with proof of residency and receipt (obtained at the fee collection booth at the landfill entrance). Additional material, staff-loaded material (into open-bed trucks or trailers), or specialty products are available to all customers and will require payment at the fee collection booth. Free and paid products are available six days a week during regular Miramar Greenery hours. Visit the City of San Diego’s website for more information on products and pricing: https://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/miramar/greenery/cmw
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
The following is required:
- Proof of City of San Diego residency
- Closed-toe shoes
- Cover or tarp for any truck bed (if loading compost/mulch)
Recommended:
- Shovel
- Buckets/containers
- Gloves
- Long pants
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
- Reusable water bottle
DIRECTIONS
The Miramar Landfill and Greenery is located off SR-52 at Convoy Street. Enter through the gate at the north end of Convoy Street.
Proceed to the fee collection booths and line up in any lane. Expect to present proof of residency. If purchasing paid Greenery products or bringing trash or other items to dispose of at the landfill, standard fees apply.
Follow event signage to the Facility Tour staging area or Miramar Greenery. After the fee collection booth, continue for approximately 1 mile along the haul road. Continue past an intersection at the top of the hill. Continue driving forward as the road curves toward the left (west).
Parking for the Facility Tour will be in a gravel lot on the right (north), across from the Greenery entrance.
The entrance to the Greenery for compost and mulch pickup and the Education Station will be on the left (south).
CONTACT
If you have questions about this event, please email trash@sandiego.gov or call 858-694-7000.
Fixit Clinic
12:00 - 3:00pm, Nobel Recreation Center
