LB Community Compost

LB Community Compost has been a community run organization since 2020.

Our current crew is mainly run by dedicated volunteers. We currently have 1 paid employee and 2 interns through the Youth Climate Corp (YCC).

So far we have collected and processed over 161,686 pounds of food scraps. That's over 80 tons!

2020-2021: No data collected.

2022:  In 312 community hours, we upcycled 54,284 pounds of food scraps back into local soil.

2023: We upcycled 62,282 pounds of foods scraps back into local soil. 

2024: So far we've upcycled 45,120 pounds of food scraps back into local soil and have distributed over 12,200 pounds of finished compost.

On an average weekend (Friday & Sunday) we collect and process over 1,000 pounds and receive food scraps from over 100 households. 

Field Trips/Education: 

Over the past few years, we have hosted a variety of organizations, including the City of Long Beach Composter Recycler Ambassador (CRA) Program, schools, other local nonprofits, and Girl Scouts. We have participated in many local events this past year that includes Monarch Day of Action, Poly HS 3rd Annual Festival of Gardening & Butterflies, 4th Fridays on 4th Street, Algalita & Moore Institute Lab & Learning Center Grand Opening, Green Generation Showcase (CSULB), City Nature Challenge, Exploring Deforest Wetlands (LB Utilities), The Story of Plastic Screening (Algalita), and more.

Finished Compost: 

For residents, we have provided free finished compost. Here are some examples of how our compost is used: by gardeners for their own gardens, by teachers for gardens at schools, by nonprofit leaders for collaborative gardens, by residents participating in the city's Lawn-to-Garden program.

Partnerships:

Keeping these impactful partnerships has been instrumental in raising awareness of the benefits of community composting. 1) At the DTLB Farmers Market, we collect residents' scraps every Friday. 2) The Long Beach Office of Climate Action & Sustainability provides us with a central space for food scrap collections and compost processing at Willow Springs Park.

By donating you can help keep community composting alive here in Long Beach. Support us with some cash if you'd like that too.

Where will your $ go towards. Things we pay for + our wishlist:

- General Liability Insurance: $1,210

- Workers Comp: $2,000

- PO Box: $150

- Tools: Loppers ($40 each), Pitchfork ($45 each), Shovel ($20 each). We work hard and so do our tools! 

- PPE: Nitrile Gloves ( $61 12-pack), KN95 Masks ($30)

- 47 Gal Storage Tote (Sifted Compost storage): $25 each 

- Printing: Education materials i.e. zines, flyers, etc ($400)

- 2 Industrial Scales: $338 ($169 each)

- Snacks & Water for volunteers: $520 (this is just $10 a week for the year) 

- Foldable Wagon/Cart: $85. To assist those who need to haul heavy scraps from the parking lot and are unable to use a wheelbarrow.

- Paint and painting tools: $150. We need to paint our shed.

- Professional consulting/grant writing: $2,000. We're still a new organization and learning how to work together as a group. 

Testimonials

"Everytime I have gone, I find a world I want to live in. It lifts my spirit to see people generously taking matters into their own hands to build community in the soil and with the people of Long Beach. This group has made space where there previously wasn't for this vital part of life. It is a labor of love that deserves financial support in whatever ways possible. Thank you for all that you do!" -Kayleigh

"I compost with LBCC because I believe enriching community is an essential Long Beach value that LBCC reenforces with absolute pride and abundance. They are a critical constant in the progressive thread of mutual aid building in this city and are able to bring together neighbors with sincere joy to boot." -Madison

"I compost with you because the location is convenient, you are kind, and I love being kind to planet earth by composting!!!" - B

"LBCC made me move to LB." -Kawt

"To my knowledge, LB Community Compost is the only place to compost food scraps in Long Beach, and I’m so grateful they exist. I’ve been dropping off food scraps at their DTLB farmers market for the last year. Their pick-up locations are still around because of its small but mighty team of dedicated volunteers who work weekly to compost food scraps for Long Beach free of charge!Without a more meaningful investment from the City of Long Beach supporting their programming, a one-day giving program like Long Beach Gives can significantly impact LB Community Compost’s ability to continue composting for the city and expand to more farmers’ markets throughout the city. So, give today to ensure more residents can keep their food scraps out of landfills!" - Alex Escobar, downtown Long Beach resident and lover of composting