Using the Saucon Valley Compost Center: What You Need to Know

The Saucon Valley Compost Center has opened for the 2015 season, and a few changes have been made that residents who use it should be aware of, including the addition of limited evening hours for drop-offs.

Here’s a brief guide to using the facility, which is located at 2077 Springtown Hill Road, Hellertown. For more information, visit the Lower Saucon Township website.

What are the compost center’s hours?

The compost center is open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015. This year the center will also be open on a limited basis on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. for drop-offs only (there will be no mulch pickup permitted). The weekday evening dates when it will be open are: April 29, May 13, June 10 and July 8. The center will be closed Friday and Saturday, July 3-4 for Independence Day, and Friday, Nov. 27 (the day after Thanksgiving).

What items are accepted?

Leaves that are loose or in brown paper bags, small brush (up to four inches in diameter and no longer than six feet), hedge clippings, garden plant debris and Christmas trees (in-season, without tinsel)

Which items are not accepted?

Tree stumps, commercial landscaping materials, sod and grass

Who can use the center?

The drop-off center is open to residents of Hellertown borough and Lower Saucon Township. Residents who wish to use the center must first obtain a laminated ID card from either Hellertown Borough Hall, 685 Main St., Hellertown, or the Lower Saucon Township municipal building, 3700 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem, during regular business hours. The cards are good for multiple years, can be used by multiple members of the same household, and should be displayed to the gate attendant whenever visiting the compost center. Landscaping contractors hired by residents of either the borough or the township may drop off brush, yard waste and leaves but only by presenting a signed invoice and/or the resident’s ID card.

Do I have to cover my load of yard waste materials with a tarp, even if I live close to the compost center?

Depending on the type of load you are hauling, you may need to cover it with a tarp. Pennsylvania state law stipulates that open loads being transported by trucks/trailers must be secured when traveling on public roads.

Is mulch available?

Mulch is available from the compost center but residents who use it are cautioned to do so at their own risk, since it is untreated and stored outside. “As a result, it may contain allergens, poison ivy, termites and/or carpenter ants and foreign matter,” the township’s compost center webpage states. “Users should wear proper clothing and protection when handling the mulch. The Saucon Valley Compost Center makes no guarantee concerning the quality of the mulch, and assumes no liability for injury or property damages as a result of the loading, delivery and/or use of the mulch.” Mulch loading is available for $10 per scoop (a scoop equals one cubic yard). Payment by check only is accepted. Checks should be made payable to Lower Saucon Township at the time of the mulch loading.

Anything else?

Volunteers are needed to help staff the compost center, which is primarily staffed by borough and township public works employees. The following information is from the Lower Saucon Township website:

Due to municipal funding limits, the operating days/hours of the compost center cannot be extended beyond the current schedule at this time. However, expanded schedules could be considered in the future if an adequate number of volunteers step forward to assist the facility staff. If you are interested in volunteering your time to help out at the center, please contact the Township Manager at manager@lowersaucontownship.org or the Borough Manager at c.hartranft@hellertownborough.org. Training and equipment will be provided to all volunteers.