Recycling

Swarthmore Recycling Center

121 Dartmouth Avenue

Swarthmore , PA

Recycling Center Hours:                    7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Weekdays

                                                       9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Weekends

Swarthmore Recycling Committee

Lee Leming, Chair
610-544-6450

Committee members:

Judith Cadigan, Nancy English, Trudy Heller, Carol Hopkins, Susan Larson, Gene Martenson, Julie Millward, Marc Persson, Steve Piker, Helen Speck and Emily Swonguer.

Leaf Mulch is now available.

Mulch is available at $80.00 for approximately 4 cubic yards or $50.00 for approximately 2 cubic yards.  Call the Borough office to find out delvery dates and to place your order.

New - Yard Waste Recycling

BOROUGH OF SWARTHMORE

YARD WASTE COLLECTION

What do I do with my yard waste?

Place your yard waste into biodegradable paper yard-waste bags (available at hardware and garden stores) or tie into bundles no longer than 4 feet.   Attach one yellow “YARD WASTE COLLECTION TAG” to each bag or bundle to be collected.   Tags are available for purchase ($1 each) at Swarthmore Borough Hall or Swarthmore Hardware.   Then simply call (610-543-4599) or e-mail ( swarthmore2@comcast.net ) the Borough office and you'll be advised when to put your bags or bundles curbside for collection.

Yard Waste Collection Dates:

Call the Borough Office (610-543-4599) with your address for collection on the following dates.

     Regularly, the 3rd Wednesday of the month, throughout the Borough.

     Additional dates as follows:

          March 18, 19, and 26

          April 1, 2, 15, 16, 30

          May 7 and 21

     Check here for further dates. 

What goes in the bag or bundle?

Brush, prunings, weeds, discarded floral displays, indoor plants, branches up to 4 inches in diameter.   No sod, dirt, fruit, flowerpots, stumps, fencing, bricks, concrete, rocks or wood.

Does this mean the Borough will no longer collect leaves placed loose at the curb in the fall?

The Borough will continue collecting loose leaves placed at the curbside in November and December.   We will also continue collecting bagged leaves in January at no cost to residents.

What will happen to the material that's collected?

All yard waste will be recycled into wood chips or other mulching material.   However, unlike the loose leaves collected in the fall, which the Borough composts and sells as mulch in the spring, yard waste is being composted by others and therefore will not be available for sale.

Can I still have my landscaper take away my yard waste?

Yes, as long as the yard waste is being recycled into chips or other mulching material once it is removed from your property.   Most landscapers already do this.

What other options do I have?

The Delaware County Compost Farm, located at the Chester Transfer Station, 2300 Concord & Incinerator Roads in Chester  Township , will accept yard waste free of charge from any Delaware  County resident from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month between January and September.   Proof of residency required.

Of course, residents are welcome to compost yard waste on their own property.   It's quick, economical, and environmentally-friendly!  

2008 Recycling schedule for Comingled and Paper

The Swarthmore Recycling Committee meets on a regular basis to help promote the Borough's recycling program.

What can be recycled? Take a look at this link to view a list of items.

Recycling map (click to view a PDF of the map)

Frequently Asked Questions about

Recycling in Swarthmore

1. How can I recycle plastic?

#1 and #2 plastic may be put out with your other recyclables for the twice a month commingled curbside pickups.   Look for a 1 or 2 in the triangular recycling logo on the bottom of the container.   Examples of containers that are probably #1 or #2 plastic are: water, milk and other beverage bottles; laundry and dish detergent bottles; and other bottles with tops which are smaller than their bodies.   Rinse containers and discard the lids.   You may squash them to save space.

Plastic bottles which contain hazardous chemicals must be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste collection.   See FAQ #8 below.

Plastic is not recycled at the Dartmouth Ave. Recycling Center .  

Plastic grocery bags and newspaper outer wraps may be recycled at the east entrance of Genuardi's in Springfield and the east entrance to the Acme in Media.

2. What types of paper may be recycled curbside?   What about cardboard?

All recycled paper must be bundled with string or in paper bags ( not plastic), whether at curbside or the Recycling Center .   The following types of paper may be recycled both places: newspapers, magazines, junk mail, telephone books, computer printout paper, catalogs, office paper.  

At the Dartmouth Ave. Recycling Center , you may also recycle corrugated cardboard and lightweight cardboard that is not wax-coated.   Flatten boxes to conserve space in the paper dumpster.

3. Are there types of glass that may not be recycled in Swarthmore?

The following types of glass may not be recycled: milk glass, plate glass, light bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, crystal.

Bottles of all colors may be recycled in the twice a month commingled curbside pickups.   However, only bottles that are green, brown or clear may be recycled at the Recycling Center , where they must be separated by color.  

Remove the caps from all bottles that you recycle.  

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's) are not considered hazardous waste in Delaware County.  However, because they contain small amounts of mercury, they should be disposed of carefully.  If you use CFL's, please read the EPA fact sheet at www.nema.org/lamprecycle/epafactsheet-cfl.pdf.

4. Are aluminum cans the only cans that can be recycled?

Steel/bimetallic and aluminum cans may both be included in the commingled curbside recycling pickups.   The two types of cans continue to require separation at the Recycling Center.   (A magnet does not stick to an aluminum can.)   You do not need to remove the labels.

Paint and aerosol cans may not be recycled.   For latex paint cans, let the paint harden and then throw the can out with the trash.   Cans containing oil based paint or hazardous chemicals must be treated as hazardous waste.   Call 610-892-9627 for the dates and locations of the county's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collections, or visit http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle/hhw.html .  

5. What types of batteries should be recycled?

The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp. web site says that rechargeable batteries from the following items should be recycled: cordless power tools, phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, remote-control toys.   These batteries are usually labeled Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion), or Small Sealed Lead (Pb).   Among the stores that will recycle rechargeable batteries are: Radio Shack, Staples, Best Buy, Target, Home Depot, and Sears.   For a complete list, call 1-800-8-BATTERY or visit their web site at www.rbrc.org .

Alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries purchased since 1993 are non-hazardous and may be disposed of with regular household trash.   This includes AAA, AA, C, D, 9-volt, and square 6-volt lantern/flashlight batteries.   Button batteries made after 1993 do not contain mercury.   Leave used button batteries at the retailer or dispose of them in your regular household trash.

6. Where can I recycle printer cartridges?

There is a collection bin in the lobby of Swarthmore borough hall, under the display case.   Laser and inkjet cartridges may be recycled there.   Full Cycle will pay for those that can be reused, and will send those that cannot be reused back to the manufacturer for recycling.   Funds generated will support recycling in Swarthmore and will be used to buy children's books for the public library that have a recycling theme.

7.   Where can I recycle cell phones and their batteries?

As part of Verizon's HopeLine program, we collect used cell phones in a HopeLine box at the library in borough hall.   The used phones are refurbished, recycled in an environmentally responsible manner, or sold with proceeds going to HopeLine.   With the funds raised, Verizon then purchases cell phones and donates airtime to victims of domestic abuse, as well as funds various domestic violence prevention and awareness programs.   Cell phone batteries left in that box will also be recycled by Verizon.

8. Where can I take used motor oil and other hazardous waste?

For automotive products such as motor oil, car batteries, and tires, consult the list of nearby drop-off sites at www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle or call the Delaware County Recycling Manager at 610-892-9716.

Hazardous waste such as antifreeze, gasoline, transmission fluid, cleaners, mercury, oil based paint, thinners, pesticides, and chemicals, should be taken to one of the regularly scheduled hazardous waste collections in the region.   The containers should be clearly labeled.   Consult the list of HHW collection places and dates at www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle/hhw.html .   Some of the HHW collections will accept computers, printers, scanners, and portable TV's.

9. How can I get answers to other questions about recycling?

For questions about recycling in Swarthmore, email the Recycling Committee at Swarthmore_recycling@hotmail.com or call the borough office.

For questions about recycling in Delaware county, call 610-892-9716 or visit www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle .

The state's recycling web site is www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/recycle.htm and the Pennsylvania Resources Council site is www.prc.org .