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Ojai launches free mulch and compost pilot under state organic‑waste rules
Summary
Ojai’s Public Works and partners will begin a pilot program offering free bulk mulch, bulk compost and (pilot) bagged compost to city residents and businesses to meet SB 1383 diversion requirements; program uses coupons and local pick‑up while delivery costs remain the resident’s responsibility.
Ojai on Monday introduced a citywide compost and mulch giveaway that officials say will help the city meet state organic‑waste diversion requirements while giving residents free landscaping materials.
Jackie Rojas, an administrative analyst in the Public Works Department, told the City Council the city has partnered with Grama (an organics recycler) and distribution partners including AquaFlow and Ackerman to offer free bulk compost, free bulk mulch and, for the first time in Ventura County, free bagged compost. “Through this partnership, Ojai residents will now have access to free bulk mulch, free bulk compost, and, for the very first time in Ventura County, free bagged compost,” Rojas said.
Ackerman’s executive vice president of sales and marketing, Cody Kane, explained how the coupon system will work. He said each physical residential address will be eligible for one coupon use to pick up up to five bags of compost; bulk orders get two coupon uses and up to 15 cubic yards per use. Kane said AquaFlow (in Ojai) will serve as a convenient local pick‑up site, while bulk material will be available at an Oxnard distribution yard; deliveries into the city are available for a flat fee paid by the resident.
City staff said the program is fully funded through a CalRecycle grant administered by Clean Power Alliance‑linked programs and related grant funding; city officials said the net cost to the city is zero for materials and that remaining grant funds will support the program through the next calendar year. Staff also told council the program launches the next day and that residents will register orders via an online couponing platform so staff can confirm addresses and track use.
Council members asked practical questions about program tracking and past loopholes in similar coupon programs; Kane said the online system records GPS coordinates and validates addresses to prevent multiple uses from one household. Rojas urged residents to watch the city website for coupon codes and distribution details.
The program does not cover truck deliveries into Ojai; Kane said delivery costs are borne by the resident because truck access in and out of the valley is more expensive. City staff said they will monitor demand and grant funding and will revisit budget conversations in the next fiscal cycle if longer‑term funding is needed.
The council did not take a vote on the presentation; staff requested and received direction to implement the pilot and report back on usage and grant status.
What’s next: Residents should consult the city website for coupon distribution and pick‑up instructions; staff will present usage statistics and grant updates to council as the pilot runs.
