Composting Facility
About the Facility
Swatara Township’s Composting Facility was established in 2003 through a PA Department of Environmental Resources recycling grant. Public opposition to landfill expansions and incinerators dictates that we must find alternative ways to recycle and keep unnecessary wastes out of our municipal landfills. The result is yard waste composting facilities. With a little help from man, machine, and nature, we are able to convert this “waste” into a “resource.” The composting facility is located at 780 Kelker Street.
Facility Hours
- Open: April 1st to October 31st
- Weekdays: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Closed: Holidays & Sundays
| New Year’s Day | Thanksgiving Day |
| Memorial Day | Thanksgiving Friday |
| Independence Day | Christmas Eve Day |
| Labor Day | Christmas Day |
Facility Directions
Travel west on Chambers Hill Rd. to the traffic signal at Harrisburg St. (RT 441). Continue straight onto Orchard Drive. At the first STOP sign turn right onto Kelker St. Go past the town homes to the entrance of the composting facility.
Brush Drop-Off
If you are dropping off tree limbs, brush, or plant cuttings: Continue 1/8 mi. down the gravel road to the brush grinding area. Here is where THE BEAST RECYCLER processes the material into wood mulch. Please NO large stumps, rocks, tires, metal, lumber, plastic or garbage. Each year the recycler sustains serious damage from unacceptable items dropped off at the brush pile. Currently, the Township is able to sell the ground mulch to wholesalers as long as it does not contain litter. The rough mulch currently being produced is free to residents.
Facility Regulations
Permits must be purchased prior to using the facility. The license plate and registration of the vehicle is necessary to obtain a permit. If you are towing a trailer, the license number of the towing vehicle is required. Permits may not be purchased at the compost facility. Permits are assigned to the vehicle and are not transferrable. Permits must be hung from the rear view mirror when using the facility.
Acceptable Items
What can I take to the compost facility? Leaves, branches (up to 20” in diameter), garden waste, brush, tree prunings and stumps free of stone and dirt.
Unacceptable Items
Unacceptable items: grass, sod, branches larger than 20” in diameter, stumps with dirt and stone attached, rocks, dirt, lumber, construction material.
Mulch & Leaf Compost
Can I take some mulch? Yes, mulch (single-grind woody waste) and leaf compost is FREE while supplies last. Self service only. Township employees cannot use equipment to load materials for you.
Fees
Residential:
| Resident | Non-Resident |
| Daily: $8.00 | Daily: $15.00 |
| Seasonal: $30.00 | Seasonal: $50.00 |
Commercial:
| Resident | Non-Resident |
| Daily: $35.00 | Daily: $75.00 |
| Seasonal: $395.00 | Seasonal: $690.00 |
