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Ojai launches free compost and mulch pilot to meet state organic‑waste rules
Summary
The City of Ojai and private partners launched a pilot program giving residents free bagged and bulk compost and mulch, funded by a CalRecycle grant to help the city meet SB 1383 organic‑waste diversion requirements. Orders open Nov. 19 via a coupon system.
Ojai City officials and private partners on Tuesday unveiled a pilot program that will provide free bagged compost, bulk compost and mulch to residents and local businesses as part of a statewide push to reduce organic waste.
"Tonight, we're excited to officially introduce the free mulch and compost program," Jackie Rojas, an administrative analyst in public works, told the city council. She said the program is funded through a CalRecycle grant so the materials are provided at no net cost to the city.
The city will distribute coupons that residents redeem on a partner website. Cody Kane, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Ackerman, said the online platform will validate each order by address to prevent duplicate use: one coupon use per physical residence for up to five bagged compost bags; bulk pickups are allowed twice per address for up to 15 cubic yards per use. Bagged compost will be available at AquaFlow (1940 East Ojai Avenue); bulk material will come from an Oxnard distribution site, with deliveries into Ojai available for a $270 flat fee paid by the resident.
Rojas said the program helps Ojai comply with SB 1383, the state mandate to reduce organic waste to landfills, and that the city is the pilot site in the county for free bagged compost distribution. Kane said the product is CDFA‑certified and omits biosolids and animal byproducts.
City staff said they expect high demand and that the remaining CalRecycle funds will help operate the program through the remainder of the grant term; continuation beyond that will be evaluated during next year’s budget process.
How it works: residents will find coupon and ordering information on the city website, register and place orders at the partner portal; online registration collects an address/GPS check to ensure eligibility and prevent duplicate redemptions.
Next steps and caveats: staff recommended posting clear pickup instructions and capacity limits on the city website and tracking usage data to inform future funding requests. The delivery fee and any future costs for continuing the program would be borne by residents or covered by additional grants, not by the city’s general fund.
