Portland's Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is getting its hands dirty for the Earth Day festivities this year. They have an excess of compost—over 5,000 tons of leaves gathered from the city's streets last fall—and they're making it available to locals for free. Known for their Leaf Day program which keeps the roads safe from flooding and dangers related to clogged drains, PBOT's compost heap has grown so large that they've decided to give back to the community in a green way.
The compost giveaway is running from April 20 through April 22 at the Sunderland Maintenance Yard, located at 9325 NE Sunderland Road, with operation hours from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., as long as the supply lasts. According to the Portland's official website, residents who want to cash in on this environmentally friendly offer should act fast, since the free compost is a hot commodity and only available until the end of Earth Day or while supplies last.
For those with the means to transport it, PBOT will happily load open-bed vehicles with compost. However, folks looking to bag their own need to bring their own shovels and bags. The city stresses the quality of their compost, which is regularly checked for maturity and size against the United States Compost Council guidelines, with the facility proudly part of this eco-conscious council since 2007, as stated on their website.
PBOT does remind Portlanders that partaking in the Free Compost Program means taking and using the product at one's own risk, with all the products being offered "as is." And for those itching to avoid the rush of free compost day or busy during the giveaway, Sunderland Yard has leaf compost available for purchase since early March at $24 per cubic yard. Supporting local initiatives, the purchase of compost before the giveaway not only backs sustainable practices but also contributes to Portland's environmental health.
But compost isn't the only thing on the menu at Sunderland Yard. An environmental steward, the facility is also engaged in minimizing construction waste, processing construction spoils, and producing valuable recycled rock, which goes right back into the community for various construction projects. They don't just stop at composting but extend their green thumb to include asphalt and concrete rock crushing, dirt screening, and even cleaning street sand for snow and ice operations—all processed under the umbrella of the Sunderland Yard Recycling Facility, the city's website heralds.
