ARTICLES OF INTEREST

S.F. composters to reap what they sow today

June 3, 2006
The Chronicle/SFGate.com
Full Article

San Francisco residents can bring buckets today to pick up some of this Divine Dirt planting mix made of Four Course Compost, yard trimming compost, composted rice hulls, redwood sawdust, sandy loam, gypsum and perlite. It will be ready to use, and organizers of the giveaway will provide instructions on how to apply it.
San Franciscans who've dutifully been diverting potato peels, eggshells, coffee grounds and other biodegradables for composting, your day has finally come. Today, SF Recycling will give away more than 100 cubic yards of potting soil derived from your composting efforts in the Great Compost Giveaway. Dubbed Divine Dirt, the earthy mix is derived in part from the company's Four Course Compost -- a blend in high demand by Napa and Sonoma vineyards. Four Course is made from the leftovers of not just San Francisco residents but also 2,000 city restaurants that sort out compostable material.

Tim Quaintance, sous chef at Boulevard, is in charge of making sure his crew at the highly regarded San Francisco establishment composts. "When you hear people say, 'It's going to the vineyards,' it's like maybe you'll have that wine one day. But when people are actually going to get their hands on it and use it, I want that," says the San Francisco resident. "I compost at home. To actually get to use the product that you're helping to create, I think that's cool."

The Great Compost Giveaway is BYOB (bring your own bucket) and takes place from 8 a.m. to noon today at the following locations:
  • Stern Grove, Vale Street parking lot.
  • Golden Gate Park, 36th Avenue and Fulton Street.
  • San Francisco Dump, 401 Tunnel Ave.