Free Compost

The City of Cupertino offers free bulk compost to all Cupertino residents at two different sites: Stevens Creek Quarry and Sunnyvale's SMaRT station. The compost is made from residential food scraps and yard waste collected from Cupertino’s organics recycling program.

Each compost site requires you bring a driver's license or valid California ID to verify Cupertino residency. Please see hours of operation and more details about each compost site below.

Compost at Stevens Creek Quarry

Schedule & Hours of Operation

The compost site closed for the 2023 season on October 28th. Please check back on this webpage for 2024 opening and close dates. Compost is still available for pickup at Sunnyvale's SMaRT Station year round. Please see below for more details.

Location

12100 Stevens Canyon Rd
across from Stevens Creek Reservoir dam parking lot.

Follow directions from the attendant on site regarding parking.

Please bring your own shovel and container/bag and a helper as there are no staff or tools available to help you.

Residents are limited to 15 minutes of shoveling if other cars are waiting.

Compost can be loaded into any of the following:

  • The bed of a resident's pickup truck (Be sure to bring a tarp that can cover the compost. You could be cited by the California Highway Patrol if you are transporting uncovered loose materials)
  • A heavy tarp spread in the trunk of a car
  • An empty trash can or 5-gallon bucket

Compost and Mulch at the Sunnyvale SMaRT Station

Schedule & Hours of Operation

Beginning on March 21, 2022, Cupertino residents can pick up compost and mulch at Sunnyvale's SMaRT Station. Compost is available during the SMaRT Station's normal hours of operation, 8a.m. – 5p.m. seven days per week. The SMaRT Station is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Location

301 Carl Road
Sunnyvale, CA 94089

Details

Cupertino residents will need to show proof of residency, must provide their own shovels and containers, and are limited to 96 gallons of compost or mulch per week. No appointment is needed.

Cupertino residents may not bring items for disposal at the SMaRT Station, as the agreement between Cupertino and Sunnyvale is limited to compost and mulch. However, Cupertino residents can use the CRV Buy-Back Center, which is open to the general public regardless of residency. Please note: the CRV Buy-Back Center is now appointment only. Schedule an appointment online or call 408.752.8530. The SMaRT Station Center Buy-Back Center hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week

Gardening: Design Inspiration, Saving Water, and Less Toxic Pest Control

Visit the South Bay Green Gardens website for extensive resources:

South Bay Gardens banner

  • varieties of native plants
  • landscaping rebates
  • greywater use
  • rainwater capture
  • using mulch
  • pest management
  • choosing the right trees

Not only is the information all in one place, it is vetted by experts in Santa Clara County, specifically the South Bay Green Gardens Subcommittee, part of the Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission's Technical Advisory Committee. It is also co-sponsored the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program, a collaboration of 15 stormwater managing agencies including the City of Cupertino.

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