Compost to Be Distributed Free

Proudly billed as “L.A.’s Own,” compost culled from yard trimmings and other bio-solids will be given out free this weekend to residents who visit the city of Los Angeles’ compost site in Sun Valley.

“This is the first time we’ve done this kind of giveaway. . . . If it’s successful, we’ll do it again,” said David Mays, a spokesman for the city’s Board of Public Works.

The city’s own brand of compost, called “Topgro,” sells for about $3 to $5 for each 1 1/2-cubic-foot bag at home and garden sales centers around Los Angeles, Mays said.

Topgro, made with a combination of lawn trimmings and “bio-solids”--the organic matter left behind after waste water is treated at city plants--won’t be given out this weekend, Mays said.

A lower grade of compost will be distributed, but it can be used as a cover for growing grass and can be mixed into soils used for planting, Mays said.

Residents are encouraged to bring fresh lawn trimmings to the drop-off site at 11291 Randall St. in exchange for receiving bulk compost.

The site will be open between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. today and Sunday.

Last month alone, according to the Bureau of Sanitation, the city composted 39,000 tons of yard trimmings collected from curbside containers.

For more information, call (1-800) 773-CITY.