Composting

Composting is when food and plants break down naturally to make nutrient-rich soil. It helps reduce pollution, make soil healthier, prevents soil erosion, conserves water and helps plants grow better.
There are two easy ways you can compost here in Haverford Township – backyard composting or composting through a service.
Backyard composting allows you to directly benefit from the nutrient-rich soil created from the process, strengthening your garden, grass, and trees. If you are interested in composting, Haverford Township, thanks to a USDA CFWR grant, subsidizes a select number of compost bins yearly. Haverford Township residents are eligible to purchase a $30 bin after attending an EAC / Parks and Recreation compost workshop. To register for this free virtural workshop, visit Backyard Composting Workshop* or reach out to 610-446-9397.
If composting at home isn’t for you, consider local options for curbside pickup or search for a local drop off.
A new incentive, thanks to a USDA CFWR grant, allows Haverford residents to enjoy 4 (four) months of free curbside composting service. Here are some details:

You must be a new composting customer in Haverford Township

Only one incentive is available per household

Limited to 200 new customers

Contact Mother Compost, EZ Composting, or your preferred composting company** to get started

Any further questions can be directed to Alexis De Santi @ adesanti@havtwp.org.

*Workshops are held throughout the year. If no workshop is listed, reach out to to the number provided to find out when the next workshop will be scheduled.
**Participating companies must first register with the Township

Brush

Brush collection occurs on Mondays. Haverford Township’s brush is composted into usable mulch, so your contributions are giving back.

A few big things to note before your brush will be collected:

Branches and brush must not be more than one-and-a-half inches in diameter and must be less than 3 feet long

All brush must be in trash cans that can be easily lifted (less than 40lbs)

Plastic bags CANNOT be used and WILL NOT be collected

Brush must be at your collection point by 6:30 AM

Brush Collection Accecptable & Unacceptable Materials

CAN :	CANNOT :
- untreated sticks	- litter, trash, garbage
- branches	- bamboo
- brush	- dirt, soil
- wood chips	- leaves
	- grass clippings
	- kitty litter or pet manure
	- bags, not even biodegradable bags
	- twine

Leaves

Each year, Haverford Township provides residents with a convenient leaf collection program to help ensure streets remain clean and well-maintained throughout the autumn season. Running for a span of 8 weeks from November to December, this annual service ensures that residents have a convenient way to dispose of their fallen leaves.

One unique aspect of Haverford Township's leaf collection program is that the same trucks used for picking up leaves are also employed for winter snow plowing. This dual-purpose approach maximizes efficiency and ensures that the Township's resources are utilized effectively.

During the 8-week leaf collection period, crews will make two passes through each of the Township's 9 wards. This ensures that all residents have ample opportunity to have their leaves collected, no matter where they are located within the Township.

Alternatively, consider leaving your leaves! When you leave your leaves, you eliminate the need for the gas-powered blowers and trucks used to gather and collect leaves, thus reducing CO2 emissions and noise pollution. Additionally, leaves form a natural mulch that helps to suppress weeds and fertilize the soil as it breaks down. Leaves also serve as vital wildlife habitat. A wide range of animals, including turtles, toads, birds, mammals, and invertebrates, rely on leaf litter for food, shelter, and nesting material.

Here are some tips for enjoying your leafy landscape:

If you don’t want leaves all over your yard, use a rake to move them into garden beds, piles, or to the edges of your property. Try to move the leaves before the first frost in order to prevent disturbance to wildlife.

If you have an abundance of leaves, consider using a mulching mower to chop some of them up. Avoid mowing all the leaves, if possible, to preserve some habitat for wildlife.

Leaves are also a fantastic addition to compost piles.

By leaving your leaves, you’ll be supporting the local ecosystem and contributing to a thriving environment.

Do's and Don'ts of Leaf Collection

Please DO NOT bag leaves

Bagged leaves will not be collected during curbside leaf collection. Bagged leaves will be collected with trash, increasing our costs & your taxes!

Please DO...

have leaves out and ready by 6:30 a.m. on the Monday of the designated week listed for your area.

Please DO NOT...

put leaves in the roadway as this will make the roads slippery, clog the storm sewers and create dangerous conditions.

Please DO...

refer to the Township's calendar for any updates to the leaf schedule. Collection pickup dates may be subject to change based on weather conditions and the volume of leaves to be collected.