Joint Compost Facility

compost3Yard Waste

Silver Spring Township partners with Mechanicsburg Borough to offer a drop-off location for the disposal of leaves, brush and shrubbery clippings, which are then turned into mulch. Residents are permitted to pick-up mulch for use on their personal property (while supply lasts), at no charge, however, an access card must be purchased for entry. The Joint Compost Facility is for those currently residing in Silver Spring Township and/or the Borough of Mechanicsburg. Access cards are available for residents by contacting either municipality. Access cards are available at the Township office. 

The Joint Compost Facility is located at 842 W Church Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, which is adjacent to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.   

Currently open 7 days a week during daylight hours (days/times of operation are adjusted seasonally.) Current hours are 6:00am to 8:30pm.

Please click here for the JCF brochure and new card application: JOINT COMPOST BROCHURE/APPLICATION

Fees

Minimal fees help to cover the costs to maintain and operate this facility. 

  • Residents can utilize the facility by purchasing an access card for their household. The cost for residents is $15 and is valid from the date of purchase to December 31 of each year. Annual renewal requires payment and is required for continued use of the facility. 
  • Cost of card is not prorated.

Access cards are available for purchase at the Silver Spring Township Administration Office, 8 Flowers Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. 

Rules For Use

  • The facility is for leaves, brush, shrubs and shrubbery clippings 
  • Christmas trees are accepted (tinsel, ornaments and base must be removed)
  • Tree Trimmings no larger than 14 inches in diameter and not longer than 6 feet in length
  • Use of the site is at your own risk. Due to the possibility of numerous residents entering and exiting the site simultaneously, there is a need to exhibit extra caution and care when utilizing the facility.
  • No skateboarding, rollerblading, bicycling or similar activities permitted.
  • The facility is protected by 24 hour recorded video surveillance. 
  • Anyone found in violation of the following rules shall be subject to applicable fines and/or penalties as the law allows.
  • Other rules and regulations may posted at the facility.

Not Permitted

  • Grass clippings, ornamental grass, garbage, sod/dirt, stones, ashes, bricks/concrete and/or garden waste 
  • BAMBOO IS NOT PERMITTED
  • Treated lumber, landscaping timber, cross ties, painted wood, wooden furniture and/or commercially chipped wood
  • Construction & demolition debris
  • Trash, household hazardous waste, medical waste, bulky items (appliances, furniture), tires and/or scrap metal
  • Branches over 14 inches in diameter and/or tree stumps
  • NO BAGS OR CONTAINERS ARE TO BE LEFT AT THE SITE

The yard waste recycling equipment is designed to process leaves and natural woody yard waste into compost and mulch. The equipment requires all of the input material to be well suited for processing. A sizeable piece of metal, rock, concrete or other contaminant not suited for processing in this type of machinery must be kept out of the other material that is being fed in. Efforts to make sure that contamination is kept out pays great dividends through significant repair cost reduction.