PHILADELPHIA, PA — In an ambitious move to bolster the city’s sustainability efforts and engage more communities in environmental stewardship, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation announced a significant expansion of the Farm Philly program’s Community Compost Network. This initiative, poised to add 10-12 new composting sites across Philadelphia, aims to underscore the city’s commitment to enhancing climate action through grassroots participation.
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, noting, “Extending the Community Compost Network to more sites is an exciting opportunity for Parks & Rec to increase composting in spaces beyond recreation centers.” She emphasized the importance of making composting accessible to all Philadelphia residents, reflecting a broader push towards environmental sustainability at the community level.
Launched in 2019, the Community Compost Network has made strides in supporting neighborhoods with free three-bin compost systems, constructed by PowerCorpsPHL. This initiative not only provides the physical infrastructure needed for effective composting but also offers comprehensive educational materials and training sessions. These resources, developed in partnership with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Farm Philly, are designed to empower communities to manage small-scale composting operations that are both sustainable and community-led.
Open to a variety of publicly accessible spaces—including community gardens, urban farms, places of worship, schools, and recreation centers—the network seeks to weave composting into the fabric of Philadelphia’s diverse neighborhoods. Successful applicants will receive all necessary supplies to run a compost operation at no cost, including thermometers, wheelbarrows, and shovels. Farm Philly is calling for enthusiastic partners willing to collaborate with residents to turn organic waste into a valuable resource for their communities.
The initiative targets applicants ready to accept food scraps in their neighborhoods and assemble a team of dedicated volunteers, aiming to knit together a citywide network of grassroots composters. The benefits of this community-scale composting are manifold:
- Waste Reduction: By diverting organic waste from landfills, the program helps reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.
- Soil Enrichment: The compost produced enriches soil quality, benefiting parks, gardens, and tree plantings throughout Philadelphia, thus fostering urban greening.
- Street Cleanliness: Reducing garbage on city streets, community composting contributes to a cleaner, more inviting urban environment.
- Citywide Impact: Participation supports Philadelphia’s goals of reducing litter and increasing recycling rates, aligning with broader sustainability objectives.
With the application period open through April 12, Farm Philly anticipates notifying successful applicants in early May. This expansion represents a pivotal moment in Philadelphia’s journey towards sustainability, offering a tangible way for communities to contribute to the city’s environmental goals while reaping the benefits of cleaner, greener neighborhoods. Applications are available online.
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