Each month, we will highlight community heroes that are making a difference in their communities and working to make their local environments cleaner and healthier.
This month, we are taking a look at Hard Core Compost in CA!
Hard Core Compost is based in Santa Cruz, California, and is a worker-owned composting collective that has built a unique food waste collection service that relies on bicycles instead of trucks, reducing emissions while helping residents divert food scraps from landfills. By collecting kitchen scraps directly from homes and businesses, Hard Core Compost transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich compost that is returned to local gardens and community projects. Their mission goes beyond waste diversion. They are committed to creating a regenerative, community-based system that reconnects people with the soil, food, and natural cycles that sustain them. The Biobag team connected with Thea at Hard Core Compost, to learn more about the organization's journey and impact.
What led you to start your composting operation?
Our operation was started by a local woman in 2014. In 2019 she sold the business to some of her employees, who turned it into a worker owned co-op. Two of those original owners are still part of the business today! Hard Core Compost has persisted for so many years because we are invested in keeping resources local in our city by transforming waste into compost.
Who do you serve and how can people get in touch with you if they want to start composting?
We serve households, businesses, and organizations in the Santa Cruz area from Westside to Live Oak with either pickup or dropoff services! We also provide food scrap disposal and collection services for weddings and events. If you would like to learn more about us and what we do or sign up for our services please visit our website compost.bike or reach out to us by email at [email protected].
How much organic material do you typically take in on a weekly basis?
We collect about 2,000 lbs. of organic material on a typical week.
Feel free to add any additional information about your operation as you see fit.
This year we initiated a partnership with the City of Santa Cruz to start our second collection and turning site at Riverside Gardens! This new partnership will allow us to increase our collection volume and provide community gardeners with compost and scrap collection.
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