CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency is helping Linn County residents, non-profit organizations, and schools jump start their gardening & landscaping efforts by providing compost free-of-charge.  Compost—a valuable soil amendment—is produced at the Agency’s Cedar Rapids facility, 2250 A Street SW. 

 “We are excited to be able to help with so many sustainable projects in our local community,” says Agency Executive Director Karmin McShane.

So far this spring, the Agency has donated nearly 5,000 cubic yards, valued at nearly $40,000, to Linn County residents, nonprofit organizations, and schools, as well as to the City of Cedar Rapids for lots flooded in 2008.

Among the organizations the Agency has donated to:

Czech Village/New Bohemia District (compost for planters)

Matthew 25 (urban “farm”)

Coe College (campus garden)

Cornell College (campus garden)

HACAP (city plots)

Catherine McCauley Center (garden)

Washington Elementary/Mount Vernon

Olivet Neighborhood Mission

Kirkwood Community College

Linn County residents may obtain two cubic yards per visit to 2250 A Street SW.  A standard pickup truck bed holds approximately 1.5 – 2 cubic yards.  Compost is sold to contractors and landscaping companies for $8 per cubic yard. 

Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency facilities are open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.  All Linn County residents and businesses are welcome to use Agency services and programs.  No tax dollars are used to support Agency services and programs.  All funding is generated from landfill tipping fees.