Want To Learn How To Compost For Free? Here's How In Riverside County

MORENO VALLEY, CA — Riverside County residents interested in reducing waste and enriching their gardens will have a unique opportunity to learn the ins and outs of composting this Saturday, April 5.

The Riverside County Department of Waste Resources is hosting a free Backyard Composting and Make Your Own Worm Bin workshop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the department’s headquarters, located at 14310 Frederick St., Moreno Valley.

The event kicks off with a composting demonstration and instruction session at 9 a.m., where seasoned instructors will guide attendees through the science and process of turning organic scraps — like yard trimmings and produce waste — into nutrient-rich compost.

Low-cost compost bins will be available on-site for $18 but three will be limited per household.

At 10 a.m., the focus will shift to vermicomposting, the process of using worms to break down food waste. Residents can either build their own worm bins or purchase a pre-assembled bin for $35 (limit one per household). Tools will be provided, but participants must bring their own bin materials. Worms will be provided free of charge to help get each bin started.

All compost and worm bins can be pre-purchased online or bought on-site using a credit card or by calling 951-486-3200 during business hours.

For those who want to dive deeper into the world of composting, the department also offers a free virtual Master Composter Training Course. The self-paced program is open to residents of all skill levels and provides a certificate of completion. Registration for that can be found here.

If you're more interested in using compost than making it, the county also offers free compost pickup at the Lamb Canyon Landfill in Beaumont and Badlands Landfill in Moreno Valley. Both sites are open Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Visitors must check in at the Gate Fee Booth, bring their own collection tools and follow landfill rules.

The free compost is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Riverside County offers a wide range of free environmental education programs to help residents reduce waste and support sustainable living.

For more information, email Waste-CompostingRecycling@rivco.org, call 951-486-3200 or visit this link.