The Parks and Rec program is up and running, on a neighborhood level.

Philadelphia Parks and Recreation announced a community compost program in 2019. It’s finally up and running, on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood level.

Currently, the program requires residents to connect directly with the sites in order to participate. Of the 13 sites, only three are open to public dropoff once a week: Liberty Lands, Pearl Street, and 8th & Poplar Farm, according to OpenData Philly.

The initiative is a part of the City’s plan to reduce waste overall. An estimated 30% to 40% of the food supply in America is wasted, so there’s a big opportunity to reduce landfill waste.

Where to find a Community Compost Network site in Philadelphia

• Liberty Lands Garden, 913 N 3rd St
• Pearl Street Garden: Urban Tree Connection, 55th and Pearl St
• Collins Smith Barrick Play Garden, 2052 E Hagert St
• Lawncrest Community Garden, 6000 Rising Sun Ave
• Hardy Williams Academy Mastery Charter, 5400 Warrington Ave
• 8th & Poplar Farm, 800 Poplar St
• Temple Community Garden, W Diamond St & N Carlisle St
• Brewerytown Garden, 2634-44 Master St
• Greensgrow Farms, 2501 E Cumberland St
• Hunting Park Community Garden, W Bristol St & W Cayuga St
• St. James School, 3217 W Clearfield St
• Pleasant Playground Garden, 305 Slocum St
• Cesar Andreu Iglesias Garden, 425 Arlington St

How to compost outside the Community Compost Network

Still interested in composting but no sites open near you? Philadelphia has private companies that offer residential compost pickup services.

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Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia. View all posts by Julie Hancher