What is composting?
Composting is working with the forces of nature to turn fallen leaves, yard waste and fruit and vegetable scraps from the kitchen into humus.  Humus, well mixed into soil, makes topsoil that is easy to dig and absorbs rain. It makes it easy for plants to absorb - slowly and steadily - the food they need to be healthy.  And it's easy to learn how to compost.  Composting can be done neatly in a small space and without problems.

It is also important that City residents compost organic waste to reduce the volume of trash needlessly sent to landfills for disposal. 

What is the City doing to encourage composting?
The City of Philadelphia's Streets Department offers free two-hour workshops to teach effective composting methods.  Workshop attendees will receive a free training manual on backyard composting and worm composting.  Early registrants who attend a workshop and join the Recycling through Composting Team may also be eligible to receive a backyard composter for their household. 

How can I participate?
If you are a Philadelphia resident and are interested in attending a composting training program in your area, call 215-686-5444 any time, then press #2, to hear the latest workshop schedule and to leave a pre-registration message.  The classes often fill up, so – while the workshops are free, early pre-registration is essential.

Recycling through Composting Workshops

Spring, 2005

• West – Wednesday, March 23, 2005, 6:00 p.m.
  Overbrook Park Branch Library, 7422 Haverford Ave, 19151
• Northwest – Saturday, April 2, 2005, 2:00 p.m.
  Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy's Mill Rd., 19128
• Northern Liberties – Wednesday, April 6, 2005, 6:00 p.m.
  Ramonita de Rodriguez Branch Library, 600 West Girard Avenue, 19123
• Northwest – Wednesday, April 13, 2005, 6:00 p.m.
  Andorra Branch Library, 705 East Cathedral Road, 19128
• Northwest – Wednesday, April 27, 2005, 6:30 p.m.
  Lovett Memorial Library, 6945 Germantown Avenue, Mount Airy, 19119
• Center City – Wednesday, May 4, 2005, 6:45 p.m.
  Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, Montgomery Auditorium, 19103
• Northeast – Saturday, May 14, 2005, 2:00 p.m.
  Katherine Drexel Library, 11099 Knights Road (at Fairdale Avenue), 19154