Philadelphia Parks & Recreation operates the Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center (ORC) where people can get and dispose of organic materials.
For a fee, residents and commercial businesses can dispose of yard and gardening waste like leaves, grass clippings, brush, manure, and wood chips. These materials must be separated.
You can also visit the ORC to pick up finished compost, mulch, and wood chips. These products are free for Philadelphia residents (up to 30 gallons per day, twice per week) and available to businesses for purchase.
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Location and hours
We’re located at:
3850 Ford Road
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Our hours are seasonal. We are closed on City holidays.
| Season | Hours |
|---|---|
| April–October | Monday–Friday: 8 am–2:30 pm Saturday: 8 am–2:30 pm Sunday: Closed |
| November–March | Monday–Friday: 8 am–2:30 pm Saturday–Sunday: Closed |
Material costs and payment
Payment options
We only accept debit and credit card payments. All payments are subject to applicable sales tax. Proceeds support the Recycling Center’s efforts.
If you consistently pick up or drop off more than one ton of materials per month, you may be eligible for invoicing. To learn more, contact W.Matthew.Lepchuk@phila.gov.
Price lists
How to drop off materials
Both residents and businesses can follow these steps to drop off materials at the ORC.
Recycling staff reserve the right to refuse any materials. We will not accept bamboo, plastic bags, metal, construction materials, and trash of any kind.
You need a hauling permit if you will use a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 16,000 lbs. or more. If you’re transporting materials with a heavy duty commercial vehicle, contact Joshua.Bell@phila.gov to get a hauling permit before you visit the ORC.
Drive onto the ORC scale and park your vehicle. Enter the scale house to sign in with the scale house attendant and complete your waiver.
Drive back onto the ORC scale and park your vehicle. Enter the scale house to make your payment. Jump to view payment options.
How to pick up materials
Residents
Pickup trucks and commercial vehicles are not permitted in the residential loading areas. If you use a pickup truck, you can park in the designated area by the scale house attendant, fill your containers, and use our carts to bring materials to your parked car. If you use a commercial vehicle, follow the pick-up process for businesses.
You must bring your own containers and shovels for loading and transporting materials. If you’re picking up firewood, we recommend bringing a chain saw and splitter for cutting logs.
Sign the daily log-in sheet and a waiver form just outside the scale house.
Do not drive past the residential piles without staff direction. Download a map of the ORC.
If you want more than 30 gallons, those additional materials must be loaded by Parks & Rec staff.
Businesses
You need a hauling permit if you will use a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 16,000 lbs. or more. If you’re transporting materials with a heavy duty commercial vehicle, contact Joshua.Bell@phila.gov to get a hauling permit before you visit the ORC.
Drive onto the ORC scale and park your vehicle. Enter the scale house to sign in with the scale house attendant and complete your waiver.
Drive back onto the ORC scale and park your vehicle. Enter the scale house to make your payment. Jump to view payment options.