Student-Made Organic Compost
Since the 1990’s, Cal Poly has been home to an on-campus composting operation, turning manure from the university’s livestock and green waste generated from campus landscaping into organic soil amendments.
Today, this student run enterprise – under the guidance of department staff – processes over 7,000 cubic yards of manure and 3,500 cubic yards of green waste and wood chips into 3,500 cubic yards of finished compost available for gardens, lawns and flower beds.
Certified Organic
Since 2011 the Cal Poly composting operation has been a member of the U.S. Composting Council's Seal of Testing Assurance Program and is certified organic in California.
Available to the Public
Cal Poly’s certified organic compost is available for sale in bulk quantities or by the bag year-round.
By the bag purchases are available at the Cal Poly Plant Shop for $8 plus tax. Check the Poly Plant Shop website for availability.
Bulk compost is available for $50 per cubic yard or $30 for a half-yard. Please call ahead - 805-756-2563 - to schedule a pickup time between 8 a.m. and noon Tuesday through Thursday.
The bulk compost unit is located off of Mount Bishop Road behind the Cal Poly Rodeo Arena, see pinned location on the map below. Enter campus on Highland Drive, turn left on Mount Bishop Road, stay to the right on to dirt road and follow signs up to compost unit.