Thanks to PBOT your spring gardening just got cheaper and easier!
Update as of 3:52 p.m. on Sunday, April 27: That’s a wrap! We’re officially out of compost. See you in 2026!
Update as of 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, April 27: we don’t anticipate running out of compost before 4 p.m. today, but we’ll update here if we do.
Update as of 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, April 27: We are out of compost in the truck loading area, but still have plenty in the self loading area.
Update as of 10:04 a.m. Sunday, April 27: There is still plenty of compost and currently no lines!
Update as of 4:15 p.m. Saturday, April 26: Today was a busy day at Sunderland Yard. There is only about 500 cubic yards available for self-loading and 300 cubic yards available for our crews to load trucks and trailers. We will be open tomorrow, Sunday, April 27, but will likely run out by 10 a.m.
Thank you for understanding.
Every fall PBOT composts over 5,000 tons of leaves collected annually through the city's Leaf Day program. This effort helps keep streets safe by preventing clogged storm drains, flooded intersections, and slippery roads. The leaves are taken to PBOT's Sunderland Yard Recycling Facility, where they can "cook" and become compost. This year, we have so much, we're giving it away for free!
April 26 and 27, in celebration of Earth Day, Portlanders can pick up their FREE compost at our Sunderland Maintenance Yard, 9325 NE Sunderland Avenue, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. This offer ends on April 27 or when we run out of compost. This year's event is only two days long, so we do not anticipate running out of compost.
If you have an open-bed vehicle, PBOT will load the compost for you. If you want to bag your own, please bring your own shovel and bags.
Arriving on bike? Head to the front of the line.
We are taking action on last year’s event feedback for reducing congestion and wait times. Be mindful of the traffic control and flaggers as you approach Sunderland Yard and obey traffic laws.
Questions? Call 503-823-3500. Happy gardening!
The quality, maturation, and sizing of the final compost are regularly monitored according to United States Compost Council guidelines. The facility has been a member of the USCC since 2007.
All persons using the PBOT’s Free Compost Program do so voluntarily and take and use products at their own risk. All products are offered “as is."
Skip the line
If you’ve ever been to one of our compost giveaways, you know it gets busy. Want to skip the line? Leaf compost is available for purchase from the beginning of March at $24 per cubic yard, with a minimum purchase of 0.5 cubic yards. A cubic yard typically fits into a full-size pickup truck. By purchasing compost from Sunderland Yard, you contribute to sustainable practices, support local initiatives, and enhance the environmental health of Portland.
Compost isn’t the only recycled material you’ll find at Sunderland Yard.
- Need rock? Sunderland also has 3/4"-0 Recycled Concrete Rock available for sale all year round $10 per ton. Great for pathways and driveways.
- Free fill dirt! Screened dirt is, FREE year-round. It is great for fill, but not recommended for gardens or topsoil.
Before visiting the Sunderland Yard facility, remember that they only accept cash or credit card payments—no personal checks allowed. Learn more on the Buy Compost and Gravel page.
About Sunderland Yard
The Sunderland Yard Recycling Facility minimizes construction waste by processing construction spoils and producing valuable recycled rock for construction projects.
Leaf composting, asphalt and concrete rock crushing, dirt screening, and snow and ice street sand material cleaning are all currently processed at Sunderland Yard.