Compost Depot
Sod and dirt are not accepted. To dispose of sod or dirt, which is garbage, visit a City of Edmonton facility or place small volumes in your Brown Garbage Cart.
The City of St. Albert operates a seasonal Compost Depot for residents to drop-off yard waste. Exact opening and closing days are weather dependent.
The Compost Depot is open to residents of St. Albert only; proof of residency may be required. Non-residents and commercial vehicles will be turned away by on-site staff.
Location
The City of St. Albert's Compost Depot is located on Villeneuve Road (between Ray Gibbon Drive and Hogan Road).
Additional Information
Hours of Operation
| Monday and Statutory Holidays | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. |
Acceptable vs. Unacceptable List
ACCEPTABLE
 Branches |
Pumpkins and jack o'-lanterns |
| Diseased branches and trees |
Shrubs |
| Flowers |
Yard waste |
| Grass clippings |
Wood chips |
| Hay, leaves and straw |
UNACCEPTABLE
The Compost Depot does NOT accept the following material:
 Vegetable and fruit scraps |
Animal feces |
| Fish, poultry, bones |
Wood, lumber or any construction materials |
| Fats, greases or oils |
Ashes, charcoal |
| Coffee grounds, tea bags, bread scraps |
Non-organic materials (such as plastic bags) |
| Dairy products |
Sod and dirt |
Many of the items above are accepted in the Green Organics Cart. For more information, please visit the Green Organics Cart section.
Guidelines for Visiting the Compost Depot
- Due to traffic and large equipment on site, please keep pets and small children in your vehicle for everyone's safety
- Follow all posted signage
- Dispose of plastic bags and other garbage at the provided waste receptacles
COVID-19
- City staff are not permitted to help residents unload material
- Maintain 2 m distance from others
- Consider visiting during non-peak hours.
Sod, Dirt and Soil FAQ
Sod and dirt are not accepted at the Compost Depot. These materials are garbage and cannot be composted.
What is composting?
Composting is a natural process completed by bacteria, fungi and decomposers working together to breakdown organic materials (food scraps, leaves, grass clippings) into an earthy, soil-like material called compost.
Why are sod, dirt and soil not compostable?
Sod and dirt are mineral soils made up of varying amounts of sand, silt and clay. While these components of soil are vital for plant growth, as they provide soil structure, erosion control and store water, they do not supply plants or decomposers with nutrients the way organic materials do. Bacteria, fungi and decomposers cannot breakdown mineral soils and turn it into compost. The soil makes turning and aeration difficult and can impact achieving the required temperatures in the windrow for pathogen kill.
Why was sod and dirt previously accepted at the Compost Depot?
While sod and dirt was previously collected at the Compost Depot, it was not incorporated into organic materials for composting, but instead stored on-site. As a result, the City no longer has the capacity to store this material; hauling and landfill costs to dispose of these materials would ultimately be borne by the utility rate payers of St. Albert.
Where can I put sod, dirt and soil?
Small quantities of sod and dirt can go in the Brown Garbage Cart. Carts exceeding 200 lbs will not be collected.
Similar to other regional municipalities, we ask that residents dispose of large quantities of sod, dirt and soil at a City of Edmonton facility.
Related Pages
Last edited: July 5, 2021
