this post was submitted on 10 Apr 2024
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San Francisco

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I have old soil in pots that I don't want anymore. It's full of roots and weeds, and not of any use to me anymore. How should I dispose of this soil? edit sorry for the weird photo size. i will do better next time.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 10 months ago (2 children)

That's the compost list. Dirt is already composted, and adding dirt to compost won't help much

[–] Peppycito 2 points 10 months ago

I'll put dirt in if my compost is getting slimey.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I have soil that I need to dispose of. Can I compost my soil?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Pretty sure the dirt police have bigger crimes to investigate. Compost away!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

ok thanks! I just wanna be good!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

A few pots worth of roots and weeds and some dirt is fine in the green bin

They just don't want bins full of dirt and rocks

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (2 children)

phew. that is a relief. but still puzzling why they wouldn't state that.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago

Because people take the piss

[–] talentedkiwi 2 points 10 months ago

I reckon it has to do with the weight that the workers have to pick up (usually no more than 50 lbs). If they err on the side of none, then people will likely try to put a little in at a time. Then they won't care. I imagine if they say a little is okay, then people will fill the bins/bags with soil. I can hear it now, "It's just a little!"

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Can you just dump the soil in your garden, yard, or a near by park? We're not talking a truckload, just like 2 or 3 flower pots right?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

This is an interesting idea that I hadn't considered. I could dump them out on the nearest tree on the sidewalk. Thanks for the suggestion!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Please don’t.

Your houseplants could be an invasive species.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Please don’t.

What if the OP’s houseplants are invasive species?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

OP said the flower pots are full of weeds. Sounds like even if the plants were an invasive species, 1) they're already dead, and 2) they were out-competed by the local species.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

I spoke to someone at Alameda County Industries about this years ago when I had a pile of dirt to get rid of. They suggested parceling it out in the landfill bin over time. Why? I don’t quite remember.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Recology also notes that dirt is unacceptable in the landfill. Are dirt and soil considered the same thing to Recology?