How to get free EQ Compost
Delivery
Free EQ compost is available with free delivery to schools, non-profit organizations and residents with a 10 cubic yard minimum. If you can use 10 cubic yards or more, place an order here. After you place your order we will contact you to coordinate delivery.
For additional inquiries about delivery, please call 708-657-7591.
B.Y.O. Bucket
If you need a smaller amount, bring your own buckets, bags and shovels to pick up free compost at six of our water reclamation plants.
Click on a plant map for precise compost locations and time of availability.
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Calumet WRP Egan WRP Hanover Park WRP
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Kirie WRP O’Brien WRP Stickney WRP |
Dump Truck Pick Up
If you prefer to pick up a dump truck’s worth of compost, please place an order here and specify "Pick-up" under special instructions.
EQ Compost
The MWRD’s Exceptional Quality (EQ) Compost is a sustainable and environmentally beneficial product derived from the water reclamation process. The MWRD partners with the City of Chicago and other organizations by collecting woodchips from routine tree trimming programs and blending this with MWRD biosolids in open windrow machines. Woodchips, grass clippings and leaves are used as a bulking agent. The process raises the temperature of the biosolids and bulking agent mixture which destroys pathogens.
EQ Compost can be blended with topsoil and potting soil for establishing plants or used as a mulch around already established plants. EQ Compost supplies organic matter and improves the structure and porosity of soils which allows plants to more effectively utilize nutrients. Biosolids have been used to improve soil quality at popular destinations like Maggie Daley Park and the 606 Trail and on golf courses and athletic fields at both public parks and schools in the Chicago area for more than 20 years.
EQ Compost Analysis
| Parameter | Units | Range | EPA EQ Metal Limit | Parameter | Units | Range | EPA EQ Metal Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.5-7.6 | Hg | mg/kg | 0.34-0.63 | 17 | ||
| Dry Matter | % | 43-51 | Ni | mg/kg | 21-43 | 420 | |
| As | mg/kg | <5 | 41 | Pb | mg/kg | 40-51 | 300 |
| Cd | mg/kg | 1.0-2.0 | 39 | Se | mg/kg | <5 | 100 |
| Cu | mg/kg | 187-401 | 1,500 | Zn | mg/kg | 326-645 | 2,800 |
*EQ Compost meets Exceptional Quality (EQ) criteria, which is the highest quality standards for biosolids established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Please see EQ Compost Safety Data Sheet, EQ Biosolids and the Biosolids and COVID-19 Fact Sheet for more information.
EQ Compost Guidelines
State law prohibits the application of EQ Compost on snow-covered or frozen ground. Additionally, EQ Compost must be applied in a manner that follows recommended application rates when used on agricultural land, and must be applied in a manner that follows best management practices to protect water quality when used on all other land.
