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.

Stevens Creek Quarry

Schedule & Hours of Operation

The compost site closes for the 2024 season on October 26. Please check back on this webpage for 2025 opening and closing dates. Compost is available for pickup at Sunnyvale's SMaRT Station year round. Please see below for more details.Location

Location

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

Details

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

The Sunnyvale SMaRT Station offers year-round compost and mulch collection to Cupertino residents.

Schedule & Hours of Operation

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 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.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

South Bay Gardens banner

The South Bay Green Gardens website offers expert-vetted information on native plants, landscaping rebates, greywater use, rainwater capture, mulch application, pest management, and tree selection. This comprehensive resource is curated by the South Bay Green Gardens Subcommittee, part of the Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission's Technical Advisory Committee. It's co-sponsored by the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program, a collaboration of 15 stormwater management agencies, including the City of Cupertino.

Visit South Bay Green Gardens for information on the following topics:

  • Varieties of native plants
  • Landscaping rebates
  • Greywater use
  • Rainwater capture
  • Using mulch
  • Pest management
  • Choosing the right trees
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