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 Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher