Portland residents can pick up free compost during the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s annual Free Compost Days event, scheduled for April 18 and 19 at the bureau’s Sunderland Maintenance Yard in Northeast Portland.
The event, held in celebration of Earth Day, will run from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, or until supplies run out. Organizers expect large crowds, as hundreds of residents have attended similar events in recent years.
PBOT officials are urging visitors to plan ahead and follow traffic directions as crews implement temporary changes to manage congestion and maintain safety in the area.
Traffic on Northeast Sunderland Avenue will be limited to one lane with southbound travel only during the event. Visitors must enter from the northern intersection at Northeast 33rd Drive, while the southern intersection will be closed to incoming traffic and used only for exiting vehicles.
Crews and traffic control staff will be on site to monitor conditions and direct drivers.
PBOT’s compost is produced from leaves collected citywide through its Leaf Day program, which gathers more than 5,000 tons of leaves each fall. The leaves are processed at the Sunderland Yard recycling facility, where they are turned and broken down into compost used for landscaping and soil improvement.
Visitors arriving in open-bed vehicles can have compost loaded by staff, while those who prefer to bag their own should bring shovels and bags. People arriving by bicycle will be directed to the front of the line.
PBOT encourages attendees to follow posted signage, obey traffic laws and be prepared for delays due to high demand.
The Sunderland Maintenance Yard is located at 9325 N.E. Sunderland Ave. Questions about the event can be directed to PBOT at 503-823-3500.
