Lobbying polluters, SEPTA funding boost, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

Farm Philly expands Community Compost Network. Farm Philly’s Community Compost Network is expanding with 5-8 additional sites during its current application period. The program offers three-bin compost systems, tools, and training to accepted applicants. Philadelphia Parks and Recreation reports that “In 2025, the network diverted 12,000 pounds of food scraps from landfills.”  

Winter weather impacts cherry blossom predictions. Philly’s particularly cold winter – with two major storms and several weeks of at- or below-freezing temperatures – is likely to push back cherry blossom bloom slightly later this year. The cold weather has not, however, negatively impacted the trees themselves; they are built to withstand freezing temperatures.AXIOS Philadelphia 

SEPTA receives a boost in funding during World Cup events. The U.S. Department of Transportation is allocating roughly $5.5 million to SEPTA to aid with the influx of passengers during the FIFA World Cup championship matches. SEPTA anticipates spending $21.5 million overall for the event, including $18 million in overtime for transit workers and $1 million for safety and security. The Philadelphia Inquirer

Trash incinerator owner lobbied City Council against ban. Reworld, owner of the Chester trash incinerator, spent $45,000 on lobbying efforts in Philadelphia City Council during the final quarter of 2025, reports WHYY. This makes Reworld one of the largest spenders on lobbying during that time period. City Council was considering a bill sponsored by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier that would ban the city from contracting with trash incinerators, which are harmful polluters. “This is a sign of a really major push by an interest group to get their position in front of legislators,” said Philip Hensley-Robin, director of Common Cause Pennsylvania. WHYY

Cover photo: Cherry blossoms, by AJ on Unsplash