Composting

Composting is an easy way to reduce disposal of waste and create a valuable soil additive. You can recycle the natural nutrients and organic materials in food, leaves, paper, yard and wood waste as they would be in nature.

Backyard Composting

• Guide to Home Composting (PDF)
• Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania
• Build your own Backyard Composting Bin
• Home Composting Information from the EPA

Municipality Composting

• Food Waste Composting Locations (PDF)
• Compost Drop-Off Locations in PA
• Permit-by-Rule - Yard Waste Composting Facilities less than five acres
• Municipal Waste Permit-by-Rule Regulations Chapter 271.103
• Guidelines for Yard Waste Composting Facilities (PDF) 254-5403-100 (eLibrary)
• General Permit WMGM030 (PDF) - Yard Waste Composting Facilities between five acres and 15 acres
• Best Management Practices for the Management of Waste from Land Clearing, Grubbing, and Excavation (PDF) 254-5400-001 (eLibrary)

Uses for Compost

• Compost can be applied directly around the base of trees and shrubs to serve as a mulch. It also can be worked into the top six to eight inches of the soil to provide increased water retention and valuable nutrients.
• The Use of Compost as an Erosion and Sediment Control Best Management Practice (PDF) 363-2134-008 page 136a
• PennDOT Publication 408 Section 800 (PDF)
• For additional information regarding these specifications or to get your product on the approved sellers list for PennDOT, please contact Winnie Okello at wokello@pa.gov

On-Farm Composting

• Permitting Exemptions
• Agricultural waste used as part of normal farming operations. See 287.101 for details.
• Best Practices for Environmental Protection in the Mushroom Farm Community (PDF) 254-5401-001 (eLibrary)
• Food waste used as part of normal farming operations. See 287.101 for details.
• The Food Processing Residual Management Manual 254-5400-100 (eLibrary)
• General Permit WMGM017 (PDF) - On-Farm Source Separated Composting
• General Permit WMGM042 (PDF) - Anaerobic digestion of animal manure and food waste