The City of Tracy partners with the Tracy Material Recovery Facility (MRF) to offer free compost events for residents.  On the days of the scheduled compost giveaway, the following guidelines apply:

• Customers must receive Utility services from the City of Tracy.
• Each customer/household is allowed up to one cubic yard of compost in a single trip.  Multiple trips are not allowed.
• The giveaway is on a first come, first serve basis.  There are no reservations.
• There is a daily giveaway limit of 50 cubic yards.
• A notice will be posted at the gate of the Tracy MRF once the 50 cubic yard maximum is reached.
• Tracy MRF is located at 30703 S. MacArthur Drive, Tracy.
• Pickup hours are from 8:00 am until 3:30 pm.

 The scheduled compost giveaways for 2024 are scheduled for:

• May 10^th and 11^th
• August 16^th and 17^th
• October 4^th and 5^th

Compost is also available for purchase year-round during regular Tracy MRF business hours.  Please visit https://tracymaterialrecovery.com/sales-delivery for the cost per cubic yard.

 

---

The compost at the Tracy MRF is produced from organic waste received from curbside programs, self-haul customers, landscapers, and the agricultural community.  With appropriate levels of moisture and aeration, the composting process occurs naturally.  Each day, the organic waste is hand sorted to remove all trash, debris, and large items to prepare for grinding.  The grinder then chops the remaining organic waste into smaller pieces which is then placed into rows called "windrows."

 

The piles are aerated when the blades of a compost turner scoops the material, bringing the organic matter from the inside of the pile to the outside of the pile.  With proper monitoring and care, the windrows take seven to eight weeks to convert into compost.  Once the process is complete, the compost is sifted.  Any large pieces of organic matter are returned to the windrows for additional processing time.  The screened compost is ready for use as a nutrient rich soil amendment in flowerbeds, gardens, and agricultural land.  Adding compost to soil will also help with water retention.