6701 Weaversville Road
Northampton, Pa 18067
610-262-1000
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Residential

The First Regional Compost Authority appreciates your participation in this cooperative recycling effort which provides a drop off/pick up area for your use.

  • Stop and see attendant before drop off unless otherwise instructed
  • Show photo identification or permit prior to entering
  • Drop items in designated areas only or by direction of attendant
  • Attendant has the right to refuse any drop off materials
  • NO Commercial Vehicles for Drop-Off or Pick-Up
  • Grass clippings accepted (certain rules apply)


Residential Grass Drop Off

In an effort to encourage Grass Recycling the First Regional Compost Authority adopted the following changes for residential grass drop-off starting in 2019. Please read the information listed on this page. The changes to the Residential grass drop-off will follow the information provided below.

The Problems

  • Grass clipping and other yard waste account for about 20% of municipal waste in landfills.
  • Bagged grass causes odor and nuisance control issues.
  • Bagging clippings removes valuable nutrients from soils.


The Solutions

  • Grasscycle: Leave grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. This reduces the time, costs and labor of bagging grass and returns valuable nutrients to the soil. Grass clippings decompose quickly, so they do not contribute to thatch.
  • Control growth rate: Reduce yard waste and have a healthier lawn by using the methods listed below.


The Methods

  • Mowing Practices: Mow weekly or Bi-weekly during the peak growing season. Remove no more than one-third of the leaf tissue with a sharp blade to allow the clippings to break down rapidly. Although standard mowers do a fine job, mulching mowers chop the grass into finer pieces for quicker breakdown. Some mower manufactures offer mulching kits for standard mowers. When Turf is overgrown (such as during rainy periods), large clumps may form after mowing. These clumps can be removed for back yard composting, used as mulch, or spread out on the lawn by remowing.
  • Fertilizing: Grasscycling reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Too much fertilizer can weaken the lawn by causing a shallow root system to develop. When using fertilizers, apply small amounts only two to three times during the growing season (mid to late May and early to mid September are best in this region).
  • Watering: Water just enough to wet the root system. Too much water damages roots and may cause disease. Frequent but light watering may weaken the lawn by causing a shallow root system to develop.


Grass Clippings - Rules and Regulations

  • DEP permit and the First Regional Compost Authority Board approved the acceptance of the grass clippings at the Weaversville Processing Site ONLY.
  • FRCA will only accept grass clippings from the following approved vehicle types:
    • Pick-up trucks (6 and 8 foot beds)
    • Small trailers (up to 8 feet)
    • Passenger vehicles
  • Residents will be charged $1.00 per container (up to 32 gallons). No bulk acceptance of grass.
  • Residential drop-off will take place in container only, no bulk acceptance by residents. Residential drop off using anything other than containers will be billed based on vehicle size at established commercial rates.
  • All containers must be removed from the site after drop off is finished.
  • There will be no grass clippings dropped off at any of the Township/Borough sites.
  • FRCA reserves the right to refuse any grass clippings based on condition of the clippings, the inability to transport or incorporate in to windrow, quantity of grass on the Weaversville site, or if the source of the grass is questionable.

Mulch and Compost
The mulch and compost made at FRCA is free for all residents unless it is loaded by an employee. Residents may pick up unlimited amounts of mulch and compost. Please refer to the fee schedule for loading fees.


FRCA Acceptable Items

BRUSH

  • Wood/ Tree Limbs - up to 12 inches in diameter and 8 feet long
  • Christmas trees
  • Pine cones
  • Pine needles

LEAVES

  • Leaves
  • Shredded leaves

GRASS

  • Grass Clippings - Green, dry and odor free
  • Yard vegetation - (free of dirt)
  • Flower/garden plants - (free of dirt)


FRCA Unacceptable Items

WOOD

  • Wood chips
  • 2 X 4s, etc.
  • Stumps
  • Stump grindings
  • Logs or Branches over 12" in diameter
  • Railroad ties
  • Telephone poles
  • Pressure treated wood
  • Construction materials
  • Plywood
  • Sod
  • Bamboo
  • Hay
  • Straw
  • Treated Fence Post or fence
  • Walnuts and other type of nuts
  • Mulch (Old or Used)

GRASS

  • Decomposed - Foul odor
  • Hay
  • Straw
  • Manure
  • Ornamental Grass
  • Cattails, Rushes, Sedges or Restios

OTHER

  • Soil
  • Inorganic material - rocks, stone, brick, cinder block, concrete
  • Household Waste
  • Metal (of any type)
  • Fruit or Vegetables (Loose or attached to plant)
  • Bags of any type (including compostable)


Spotted Lanternfly

The Spotted Lanternfly poses a serious threat to Pennsylvania agriculture, hardwoods, and private property. Click HERE for more information.



FRCA