The Delaware County Solid Waste Authority (DCSWA) operates a 9 acre Compost Farm where it composts approximately 16 million pounds of leaves and yardwaste, annually.
 
Before it was mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, DCSWA saw the need to preserve landfill space by removing leaves from the waste stream.  There were no other counties in the state in the Compost Farm business and very few municipalities operated their own Compost Farm.    In the early 1990’s, only two Delaware County Municipalities operated their own Compost Farm, Swarthmore and Newtown.  Currently, Nether Providence works the farm along with Swarthmore and Radnor operates their own Compost Farm.  

Initially, DCSWA opened the Farm only for leaves.  Beginning December, 2007 municipalities were encouraged to bring Christmas Trees free of tinsel, lights and ornaments to the Farm for composting.  The Farm has been open to all municipalities, their designated contractors, and permitted landscapers bringing yardwaste from residential and commercial properties.  All forty-nine municipalities are encouraged to bring their fall leaves to DCSWA’s Compost Farm.  Beginning in 2008, the Compost Farm allowed municipalities, designated contractors, and permitted landscapers to bring to us their spring clean up of yard waste.  We have expanded this program to include opening on the third Wednesday of each month from January through September for municipalities bringing in curbside yard waste.  Additionally, there is a designated drop off location at the Farm available for residents on the same day (third Wednesday of each month January through September), where they can drop off shrubs, twigs, tree trimmings no larger than 4” in diameter or bundles no larger than 4’.  Grass clippings WILL NOT be accepted.  Farm hours are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Proof of residency will be required.

 Leaves and yardwaste are placed in windrows where they are monitored, turned, shredded, and left to compost. By late summer the following year this compost, often referred to as ‘black gold’ goes through a final screening phase and is made available to the public, free of charge.   Soil additive and/or mulch are the most popular uses for this ‘black gold’. 

As stated above, the final product is available to Delaware County residents, free of charge.  Bring a shovel and a container (a helper is a good idea too) and help yourself to this rich, dark compost at the Marple Transfer Station, which is located at Marpit Drive and Sussex Blvd. in Broomall, Marple Township. This site is open, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.  The supply is limited and once it has been exhausted, the gates will be locked on weekends. 

If your municipality does not participate in Delaware County’s Program or does not have a program of its own, residents are urged to take advantage of our monthly drop off or to construct a compost bin in their backyard.