As stewards of schoolyards across our city, we’re always looking for sustainable solutions that are local, accessible, and impactful. That’s why we’re thrilled to spotlight the NYC Department of Sanitation’s generous program offering free high-quality compost and mulch to residents, nonprofits, and schools, perfect for greening projects, planting beds, playgrounds, and more.

What’s Available?

• Bagged compost – 40‑lb bags of nutrient-rich compost made from food scraps, yard waste, and paper, certified by the US Composting Council Seal of Testing Assurance.
• Mulch (woodchips/leaf mulch) – Available in bulk quantities for landscaping and play area coverage. Unfortunately, mulch is not available for delivery. See their website for more information about mulch pick-up.
• Bulk pick‑up & pallet deliveries – Nonprofits, NYC agencies, community gardens, and schoolyards can request bulk drop‑offs or pick‑ups from Staten Island Compost Facility. Submit request here! While you can’t request a specific delivery date, if your site needs a lot of compost, this can still be a great free alternative option.
• Another option available to you is our mini grant that would cover the cost of a rental pick-up truck to collect from the Staten Island facility center.

How residents can get compost

Between April and September, four seasonal “Compost Giveback Sites” operate across Staten Island, Brooklyn, Western Queens, and Eastern Queens; plus, dozens of pop‑up events citywide. Residents (including school staff and parent volunteers!) can typically register two weeks in advance to pick up free bags:

• Staten Island (Freshkills)
• Brooklyn (Greenpoint)
• Astoria, Western Queens
• East Queens (Hillside Avenue) – open Saturdays from May 17 to September 27

Why this matters for our schoolyards

1. Soil enrichment: Compost boosts nutrient levels, improves structure, and helps retain moisture, ideal for planting beds and tree pits.
2. Waste reduction: Every bag comes full circle from scraps diverted at your curb to soil ready to support growth, closing the compost loop in our communities.
3. Community connection: Participating in pop‑ups or bulk pickups fosters shared stewardship and hands-on care for green spaces.
4. Cost savings: Free, locally sourced amendments ease the strain on small landscaping and gardening budgets.

Planning for pickups

• Residents: Register online ahead of pop-up or site dates; show ID and registration confirmation. Limits vary (often two bags at events, more at seasonal sites)
• Schools & nonprofits:
  • Bulk pick‑up: Request during April–September—collection at Staten Island facility.
  • Pallet delivery: Up to 2 pallets (60 bags each) per year straight to your schoolyard.

Tips for using compost and mulch

• Prep well: Loosen soil first, then add 2–3″ compost for beds or thin layers under trees/shrubs.
• Mulch smart: Spread 2–3″ woodchips around trees and leave space from trunks to prevent rot.
• Reference our tree care guide for more information.

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Ready to grow?

We encourage every school and green‑space advocate to tap into DSNY’s free compost and mulch. It’s a simple, eco‑friendly way to enrich our green projects, teach students about waste reduction, and build vibrant, living schoolyards. If you want to get mulch delivered and need some helping hands or tools, please feel free to reach out to Katie.Lienert@tpl.org or Tiffany.Briery@tpl.org so we can help organize a successful mulch day!

Visit DSNY for registration, scheduling, and delivery requests and more.