Apr 3, 2009 4:39 pm US/Eastern
Green Scene: Free Compost for Philly Residents
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
When you think of recycling, cans, plastic and aluminum
probably come to mind.
But don't bother
bringing your paper and plastic to the Fairmount Park
Recycling Center.
"It's the organic recycling center," said Mark
Focht of the Fairmount Park Commission, "because in the 1970s when this
opened, recycling didn't mean collecting bottles, cans and plastics, as it does
today.
It meant organic materials."
The center takes in tree clippings and leaves from sister
city agencies like the Streets Department and Parks Department.
It also gets manure from the Philadelphia
Zoo.
Then it turns it all into free
compost for city residents.
The recycling center says just last year, it saved
$130,000 by not putting raw materials into landfills.
"By having materials brought here and recycled and
put into products that can be used in landscape, it's a very green cycle,"
said Focht.
As of April 1, landscapers will now pay a per-ton fee to
drop off raw materials, but city residents will continue to get compost free of
charge.
They can get firewood as well.
"They have to do a little bit of work though,"
said center manager Fred Hubbard.
"We have logs, as you can see.
Bring your own chainsaw.
They can
cut their own firewood, but it's free."
Carl Gallatig of Oak
Lane comes out to get compost for his lawn and
garden each year.
"I'm close to Cheltenham,
so I can sneak over there and get some of their compost, but it's not as good
as this!" said Gallatig.
Free, green and made from Mother Earth.
RELATED LINKS:
Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center in Philadelphia
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