Ardentown Composting Site
Click here to see your options for getting leaves out of your yard.
This public composting site was created as part of Ardentown's goal of reducing 19% of the waste stream that is yard waste.
The Ardentown Composting Site has two components:
1. Composting Bins (6 large)
Marked bins for residents of the Ardens to deposit leaves; other bins are decomposing. COMPOSTING BINS – Accepting LEAVES ONLY (no sticks or other yard waste) from residents of the Ardens, in designated bins, as space is available; not in bins marked with yellow ribbon. Please WALK your bags of leaves AROUND THE FENCE, dump the bags out in a designated bin, and re-use the bags! Do not leave bags or other trash at the site! The site is available during daylight hours only.
Grass is NOT accepted at the compost site – it decomposes very quickly if left on the grass when cut! This is called “grasscycling”.
*Its high nitrogen content can cause problems at large compost sites – but adds valuable nutrients back into your soil, reducing the need for fertilizing.
Note: Chopped leaves and grass cuttings make great mulch (and then fertilizer) for your flowerbeds/garden, especially if you plan to spread additional mulch. It reduces the amount of mulch required and provides a good source of nutrients for the soil.
Compost is for residents of the three Ardens on a first come, first serve basis during daylight hours from the designated bin as available.
NO TRUCK LOADS WILL BE ACCEPTED!
NO CONTRACTORS PERMITTED!
All of the Ardens have contracted for yard waste collection! The DSWA provides yard waste bags free of charge, and they collect up to 4 bags a week on Tuesday, recycling day.
If our Composting Site is full and you need to dispose of yard waste, the Brandywine Hundred Community Yard Waste Site is a good alternative. It is located on the north side of Cauffiel Parkway (Golden Acres Dr.), approximately 100 yards east of the Cauffiel Parkway and Philadelphia Pike intersection. It accepts residential yard waste and is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and is for use by New Castle County residents only. Only loose material can be left; plastic bags and other containers must be emptied and removed from the site. Instructional signs are posted on-site. Yard waste will be periodically ground into usable landscape mulch, and New Castle County residents can pick up free mulch when it is available.
2. A Compost Demonstration Site for residents and friends of the three Ardens.
COMPOST DEMONSTRATION/OUTDOOR EDUCATION SITE – The outdoor education site is intended to teach composting methods. Educational materials are available in the demo mailbox at the site. Please note that leaves (and other yard waste materials) can be most ecologically composted in your own backyard. The leaves provide great nutrients for your flowerbeds/garden. They reduce the amount of mulch required as well as providing a good source of nutrients for the soil.
A "Start Composting Today" brochure is available for your use and can be picked up from the Demonstration Site Mailbox or by contacting Hetty Francke.
14.2-bushel compost bins are available from Hetty for $10.00.
Compost education related questions or information regarding composting workshops being held in New Castle County can be obtained by calling Hetty Francke: 475-9157.
The following web sites give you directions for learning how to do it yourself and will answer many of your questions!
www.dnrec.delaware.gov/yardwaste/Pages/Default.aspx
www.awm.delaware.gov/Pages/Yard waste options.aspx
www.co.new-castle.de.us/landuse/home/fileuploads/images/info sheets and faqs/faq yard waste.pdf
The Ardentown Public Works & Safety Committee supports the composting project. We have only one Planet Earth! Let us take care of it and make a difference.
Think Globally, Act Locally.
—Hetty Francke, Pat Lane, Elaine Schmerling.