City of Philadelphia

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Trees, parks & the environment

Get organic materials

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation operates the Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center where people can get organic materials.

Available items at the Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center include:

  • Screened leaf compost.
  • Mulch.
  • Double-ground mulch.
  • Wood chips.
  • Other organic materials.

Screened leaf compost is made from leaves and herbivore manure. No sewage or sludge material is used in the processing of the compost.

Who

City residents can get up to 30 gallons of compost, mulch, or manure at no charge. They may do this one time per day and two days per week.

Residents who want more than 30 gallons must buy the extra material. View the rates on the Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center price sheet.

Businesses can buy:

  • Screened leaf compost.
  • Shredded wood mulch.
  • Herbivore manure.
  • Wood chips.

Money from compost purchases supports the efforts of the Recycling Center.

Where and when

The Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center
3850 Ford Rd.
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Work Phone:

April through October:

Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Saturdays: 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Closed Sundays.

November through March:

Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Closed Saturdays and Sundays.

How

For Residents

Residents must:

1
Bring their own tools.

Residents must bring their own containers for holding materials. A shovel is also recommended.

A chain saw and splitter are recommended for cutting logs into firewood.

2
Go to the public section of the center to pick up free materials.
3
Provide a driver's license or photo ID to show proof of residency.
4
Complete a daily log-in sheet and waiver form.
5
Select and load materials.

If residents want to buy additional materials, those can be loaded into trucks or trailers by Parks & Rec staff.

For Businesses

Businesses must:

1
Complete a registration form to participate in the recycling program.

Commercial businesses are required to complete The Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center registration form.

2
Use the permit issued at registration.

Note that the permit restricts you to certain roadways for hauling materials.

3
Complete the daily log-in sheet and waiver form.
4
Select materials.
5
Have Parks & Rec staff load materials.
6
Pay.

Cost

See our price sheet for pick up and disposal costs.

Credit cards, checks only. No cash accepted.

Proceeds from the Recycling Center are re-invested into the Center.

This money has funded these recent improvements:

  • Compost trommel screen
  • Horizontal, wood processing grinder
  • Scale system
  • Grapple attachment for loading logs
  • Signage

Thank you for helping us to keep this program going!

Forms & instructions


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