Organic Recycling

Parkhurst develops and implements composting programs that recycle organic waste, such as food and yard wastes, into humus, a soil-like material that can be used in vegetable and flower gardens, landscaping and many other applications.

Several Parkhurst locations are composting pre- and post-consumer food waste. Compostable waste is picked up by local composters who provide sustainable waste management solutions to:

• Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa.
• Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pa.
• Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Md.
• PNC Firstside, Pittsburgh, Pa.
• Six Penn Kitchen, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Benefits of Composting

• Keeps organic wastes out of landfills
• Provides nutrients to the soil
• Increases beneficial soil organisms (e.g., worms and centipedes)
• Suppresses certain plant diseases
• Reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides
• Protects soils from erosion
• Assists pollution remediation