Home Composting

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Home composting enables the collection of vegetative food scraps, leaves, and landscape clippings and create an incredible soil amendment called compost.

Compost provides the stabilized organic matter needed to create healthy soil which provide a balance of air, water, and nutrient levels that improve the health of our plants. Composting can be practiced almost anywhere…in your backyard, at work or at school. All you need to get started is a little bit of space, the basic ingredients, and an understanding of the process.

Composting Workshops

Sundays 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at The Living Coast Discovery Center

The City of Chula Vista provides workshops to learn from experts on how to create incredible compost in your backyard!

You'll discover the many different methods of home composting and understand how compost improves the soil while reducing water use.

Workshops offered in Spanish and English on the first Sunday of the month.

Chula Vista residents can receive free admission to the Living Coast on select Sundays! Click here to sign up.

For more information please call (619) 409-5900 or email Katharine@thelivingcoast.org

Master Composter Course

No experience necessary to join our Master Composter Training course for community members interested in gaining an advanced level of knowledge and practice with composting.

Learn the earth-friendly philosophy to a sustainable garden through this FREE seven-week course covering various methods of composting, soil health, fungus-bacteria-insects, environmental impacts, and more!

A certified Master Composter can share their experience and knowledge within the community through workshops, community event tabling, and school events after attending the course and completing an additional 30 volunteer hours of related community service.

COURSE	DATES	TIMES	REGISTRATION
Spring 2026	Tuesdays: April 7 through May 19 (7 classes)	6:00-8:30 PM	REGISTER NOW!
Summer 2026	Saturdays: August 15 through September 5 (4 classes)	12:00-4:00 PM	Registration Opens July 2026
Fall 2026	Saturdays: October 3 through October 24 (4 classes)	12:00-4:00 PM	Registration Opens September 2026

¡Traducción Disponible!

Course Location:
Living Coast Discovery Center
1000 Gunpowder Point Dr.
Chula Vista, CA

Maestro en compostaje

Hay traducciones al español disponibles. El curso de capacitación Master Composter es una clase brinda información extensiva sobre el arte y la ciencia del compostaje. El compostaje es una parte importante de la misión de Chula Vista, ayuda a reducir su huella de carbono, desviar residuos y mejorar su medio ambiente. ¡Todo con una solución sencilla!

Regístrate ahora!

For more information on the Master Composter class or to get updates about future courses, contact us for more information: environmentalservices@chulavistaca.gov | (619) 691-5122.

Compost Bins for Chula Vista Residents

Soil Saver compost bins are available for $35 to Chula Vista residents that have attended one of the City's composting/less toxic gardening workshops or the Master Composter Course.

Size: 28" x 28" x 34"

$35.00 (Chula Vista Residents)

Compost bins are available at the Living Coast Discovery Center after the in-person workshops.

FREE Composting Events

Republic Services provides Free compost to Chula Vista Residents six times per year at the Otay Landfill, Customer Convenience Area at 1700 Maxwell Road.

❑ January 10th

❑ March 14th

❑ May 9th

❑ July 11th

❑ September 12th

❑ November 14th

All events are on Saturdays from 8am – 12pm.

Event is “Load Your Own” so bring your shovels and containers. Don't forget tarps to cover your compost.

For more information, call 619-691-5122.

Save Money on Your Trash Bill

Compost 6

By recycling and composting, you may be able to downsize your trash cart – the smaller the cart, the less it costs! To change your trash cart size, call 619-421-9400. Republic Services will deliver a new cart to your house at no extra cost.