Politics & Government

Haverford Nixes Compost Program

"We will not be in the composting business anymore," Haverford Township Manager Larry Gentile exclaimed.

After years of complaining about the smell of the leaf compost program by both residents and township officials, Haverford Township will no longer have the program.

Township Manager Larry Gentile said during the Monday, March 12 meeting that the joint compost program between Haverford and Marple townships would cease.

“We will not be in the composting business anymore,” he exclaimed.

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He said that the township would continue to collect the leaves and that an unnamed vendor would pick them up from Haverford Township’s public works facility with tractor trailers and move the leaves to the Delaware County Disposal Yard on Highland Avenue in Chester.

While the township will be saving $185,000 and there will be no tipping or fuel fees that need to be paid with this option, Gentile said it also means that there is no free compost for the residents and no revenues from the compost program, which was .

Find out what's happening in Haverford-Havertownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Gentile said other options that are being considered for the continuation of the compost program are:

  • Haverford and Marple townships would manage county compost site 10-acre facility
  • Or leasing three acres outside of the township

Steve DiSipio said that after dealing with the odor issue, he was pleased with Gentile’s announcement.

“I’m satisfied that the program will end in its current condition,” the Havertown resident told Patch after the meeting. “I’m happy that Larry (Gentile) will save money for the township and we don’t have to deal with the odor.”


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