Compost Giveaway - Curb It St. John's

Giveaway Information

The City of St. John’s is holding compost giveaways at the Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility, 340 East White Hills Road, each Saturday in October from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

For compost pickup only, follow the ‘compost’ signs on-site.
For waste disposal and compost pickup, first go to the Residential Drop Off to offload the waste and then proceed to the compost area.

City of St. John’s compost is made from yard waste collected from residents at the curb in St. John’s or dropped off at the Residential Drop Off; pumpkins from the City’s annual Pumpkin Walk are also added. The compost is made at the Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility using an open (aerobic) composting method.

We’ve been collecting and composting this since 2018 and there is LOTS of compost – we don’t expect to run out before the end of the month, so no need to rush to get some on the first day!

This compost is rich in organic matter: it enriches plant mixes and enhances the growth of turf, ornamental plants, vegetables and fruit trees. The compost was tested by an accredited lab and was shown to have no high levels of heavy metals or other unsuitable elements and is safe and suitable for residential application uses. While the composting process does generate enough heat to kill weeds, we cannot guarantee the compost is weed free as we compost at an outdoor location.

How to Get City of St. John’s Compost

City of St. John’s compost is self-serve and mechanical equipment is not permitted. Bring your own tools and supplies to collect a maximum of 250 litres, or approximately 12 five-gallon buckets, per visit.

Bring:

Shovel
Gloves
Buckets/pails/containers
For open trucks or trailers, you will be required to cover and secure your load before leaving the site.
On windy days consider wearing a dust mask and protective eyewear.

How to Use Compost

Compost adds organic matter, nutrients and microbes to soil. It balances pH and helps with soil structure, porosity and moisture retention.

Use a little, not a lot. Compost is like a slow-release fertilizer. Use 1 part compost for every 3 parts soil for best results.
Mix compost with soil. You should not plant directly into pure compost.
For topdressing and mulch, spread a thin layer of finished compost on the garden, around plants or on a lawn. Compost will slowly mix into the soil, adding nutrients for plant roots.
Wear protective gloves and wash hands after use.