Athens Services and Temple City Government held a compost giveaway event at Daines Dr parking lot in Live Oak Park on June 22 (Saturday), attracting a large number of local residents to come and collect compost, creating long lines around the park.
Around 8 a.m., Temple City residents started lining up with cars, bringing home plastic buckets, trash cans, and even whole pickup trucks to load up on compost. Prior to the event, the parking lot was filled with over 20 vehicles. Jennifer Cheng, the government affairs director of Athens Services, stated that 40 tons of organic compost were prepared for the public, and it was expected to be distributed by noon.
According to California Senate Bill 1383, all California residents are required to separate food waste into the “green” waste bin. The purpose of this event is to transform residents’ food waste into organic soil, which is distributed for free to Temple City residents, while also promoting food waste recycling and educating the public on proper waste segregation.
Athens Services and Temple City Government collaborate to hold similar compost giveaway events twice a year. Residents only need to show valid identification or proof of residence (such as a utility bill) to receive organic compost, but they are not allowed to use plastic bags for collection and must bring their own containers.
Cheng mentioned that the company’s employees, including truck drivers who work on Temple City streets daily, actively participated in the distribution event. They not only organized the event but also volunteered to provide on-site services, assisting the Public Works Department staff of Temple City to ensure the smooth progress of the event. The company even deployed a bulldozer to organize the compost piles, making it easier for residents to collect.
A Chinese woman who received the compost mentioned that California’s mild climate is ideal for growing vegetables and fruits. The compost serves as natural fertilizer, which is more environmentally friendly than using chemical fertilizers. Therefore, whenever similar events are held, she always drives to collect compost. Her trunk was filled with four large buckets, brimming with compost.
Athens Services organizes similar events regularly in 33 cities it serves each year, with the frequency determined by contracts with various municipal governments. These activities aim to promote food waste recycling, encourage residents to participate in environmental protection actions, and support sustainable practices.