As we approach the new year, many of us like to think of resolutions for the coming months. Clean Air Council would like to recommend adding composting to your new habits for 2026. This blog post will provide you with what you need to start composting in your own backyard.
If you’re located in Clairton, Braddock, North Braddock, or Swissvale, PA, and are interested in getting involved with a local composting effort in your community, fill in our contact form. The Council will be distributing more FREE compost bins to households and community centers in the new year. Fill out the form now to apply for yours!
On the 12 days of Compost my true love gave to me…
- A pear core in a compost heap
To get started with composting, you’ll need access to a compost bin or heap. Whether you prefer composting in an open pile, a multi-stage bin, a worm composter, or a tumbling bin, make sure to have an area or a container for this purpose.
- Two turning shovels
Other equipment you might want to consider for your composting needs include a shovel or pitchfork, a kitchen countertop bin for collecting your kitchen scraps, and a thermometer to keep track of the health of your compost pile.
- Three friendly worms
While vermicomposting is its own ecosystem altogether, compost bins of most kinds will benefit from having some friendly earthworms in the mix, breaking down your compost waste quicker and more efficiently. You can buy red wigglers to add to your bin, or you can wait for them to naturally turn up in an open-bottom stationary bin.
- Four carbon browns
It’s important to know what can and cannot be composted. One crucial element to add into your pile is browns, or carbon-rich materials, like dry leaves, straw, or plain shredded cardboard.
- Fiiiive nitrogen blends
The second essential material to add to your bin is greens, or nitrogen-rich materials, such as grass clippings, fruit peels, or coffee grounds.
- Six scraps a-layering
Adding greens and browns to your bin, make sure to layer them to the best of your ability to ensure the two types of materials mix together well. This will kickstart the biodegrading process and offers microbes, bacteria, and fungi ideal conditions to get to work.
- Seven heaps a-heating
It’s very important for your pile to achieve a high enough temperature in order for your compost waste to mature into nutrient-rich compost. You can track this by using a compost thermometer – very similar to the meat thermometer you might use for cooking your Christmas meal.
- Eight neighbors sorting
Composting can be more fun and efficient if you team up with your neighbors! Maybe one of you has a bigger yard with ample space for a compost bin, but is lacking enough greens. Recruit the vegetable-loving family of four across the street to donate their scraps to an effort to create you both organic, home-made compost.
- Nine bins a-breathing
It’s also essential for the microscopic friends in our compost bins to have enough oxygen to break down matter effectively. Help them by turning or mixing your compost pile regularly, ideally once a week or two.
- Ten drops a-dripping
In reality, you don’t want your compost bin to be soggy – the texture of your compost should resemble a wrung-out sponge. If the bin gets too wet, add more browns and mix well.
- Eleven leaves degrading
Ensuring all these conditions are met, composting will be a breeze and you’ll help divert waste from landfills to save you money in the garden instead!
- Twelve gardens growing
The final result is fresh, earthy compost for your garden beds, potting mixes, and lawns. The best part is that you get to share these results with your neighbors and community, creating a healthier environment for us all.
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
Join the Transit For All PA campaign for sustainable transit funding to keep our state moving forward.
WHYY: Zero Fare has been a success, but some vulnerable Philly residents aren’t feeling the benefits of the free transit program – The City of Philadelphia launched a pilot Zero Fare program in August of 2023, lasting two years and providing free public transit access to low-income residents. The program so far has seen 34,000 enrollments of low-income riders and subsidized over 6 million trips. Participants are eligible if their income is below 150% of the federal poverty line, but in 2023 the poverty rate in Philadelphia was 20.3%. At the pilot’s launch, 300,000 residents were eligible, but due to extremely limited funding, only 25,000 free-ride cards were given out. This left residents with an 8% chance of enrollment. The success of this program highlights the need for further funding, and currently Mayor Parker’s initial 2026 fiscal budget does not include funding to continue the program.
NBC Philadelphia: Nature walks are good for you, but can a city stroll be just as good? – Trees and green spaces in urban environments can bring the benefits of nature into more densely developed areas. A study by a university in Wales showed that people can gain mental health benefits, lowering stress and restoring attention by walking in greenspaces even within urban settings. Additional elements like painted walls, interesting architecture and well-developed urban infrastructure can also heighten the positive effects on residents’ well-being.
6ABC: SEPTA granted extension to finish inspecting Silverliner IV railcars after series of fires – Last week SEPTA was granted an extension to finish their inspections of the Silverliner railcars. Their original deadline of October 31 has been pushed to November 14. The agency has said they plan to complete the inspections before the new deadline. The Federal Railroad Administration has also extended another deadline allowing SEPTA until December 5 to install thermal protection circuits. Riders can continue to expect shortened trains and delays while inspections and improvements continue.
Other Stories
PhillyVoice: Here’s a recap of Tuesday’s election results in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
CBS Philadelphia: 2 TSA checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport to temporarily close amid government shutdown
The Inquirer: What the PPA has planned for a revived Greyhound bus station
AxiosPhiladelphia: The Philadelphia region’s traffic is worse than ever
The Inquirer: Hoboken has gone 8 years without a traffic death. Can Philly replicate its success?
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
Losing our state’s public transit infrastructure is a scary future! Join the Transit For All PA campaign for sustainable transit funding to keep our state moving forward. Happy Halloween!
Election day is Tuesday, November 4th. Find your polling place here!
CBS Philadelphia: City Council passes bill that could put Philadelphia’s bike lane safety project back on track – Last week, Philadelphia City Council passed a bill that gave the Streets Department the authority to establish loading zones in parts of Center City, including Spruce and Pine streets. This was part of an earlier initiative to protect cyclists, as loading zones would keep stopped cars out of bike lanes. Neighborhood group Friends of Pine and Spruce won a lawsuit in June, stopping the city from enacting this plan and to reverse work that had been completed. This bill overrides that decision and the Mayor has 10 days to sign the bill, making it effective immediately.
WHYY: More time? SEPTA asks for extension of federal deadline to inspect aging Silverliner railcars – The deadline given to SEPTA for the inspection of the Silverliner rail cars is Friday, October 31st. Now SEPTA has requested an additional 2 weeks in order to inspect the over 220 cars included in the order. Over 100 have been inspected so far with around two-thirds failing and only 35 cars returning to service immediately. According to SEPTA, most that have failed inspection only need minor repairs and then can be returned to service. A decision on the two week extension is expected by the end of this week.
The Inquirer: Greyhound bus terminal likely to reopen on Filbert Street after two years of tumult – The Philadelphia Parking Authority reached an agreement with City officials this week, and the former intercity bus terminal on Filbert could be getting a major renovation. The PPA will begin renovations and run the Greyhound bus station on behalf of the City, according to the agreement. Legislation to assess feeds and other items was introduced this week to City Council and the PPA board must agree to the lease. Spring Guard traffic issues have been haunting Philadelphia for over two years. This solution would address the problem, but would require cooperation from other entities such as the Streets Department, to direct traffic pattern changes around the Filbert depot.
Other Stories
PhillyVoice: Your guide to Philadelphia’s $91 million streetlight replacement project
BillyPenn: “On a scale of 1 to 10, we’re a negative-2”: Airport workers struggle amid shutdown
6ABC: I-76 westbound ramp to City Avenue to close for repairs
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
Join the Transit For All PA campaign for sustainable transit funding to keep our state moving forward.
The Inquirer: SEPTA riders say Regional Rail trains catching fire ‘is what decades of disinvestment looks like’ – Last week advocacy groups held a press conference at Love Park urging leaders to properly fund mass transit. They said avoiding doing so over the last several years has created the host of problems currently being faced by SEPTA, and the state of Pennsylvania. Advocates say that without a set budget, SEPTA is forced to use capital funds to keep service running, rather than spend that money on capital improvements, and we are seeing the first example of the arising problems with the Silverliner IV car fires.
Transit Talent (Originally posted to the Inquirer): SEPTA is postponing hybrid bus purchases, accessibility projects to keep the lights on – Several improvement projects by SEPTA have been placed on hold due to lack of funding from the state. New hybrid or electric bus purchases, accessibility improvements to the Bristol Regional Rail station, and expansion of the Frazer train facility in Malvern are some of the projects pushed back. Projects that already have broken ground will continue, including the Market-Frankford Line and trolley car replacements, as well as the modernization of trolley systems.
PhillyVoice: Nighttime work on I-95 will close lanes in Northeast Philly for most of November – Weeknights in November will see lane closures approaching the Cottman Avenue Interchanges. This will be in effect from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. from November 3rd until November 28th. Construction efforts are currently focused on the 8 miles between I-676 and Cottman Avenue. This is the final phase of the Cottman Avenue Interchange project. For more information on I-95 construction and closures, be sure to follow the Clean Air Council’s Facebook page.
Other Stories
6ABC: Sinkhole closes portion of Schuylkill River Trail in Center City Philadelphia
PhillyVoice: At 30th Street Station, deep cleaning is the ‘true artisan work’ of a $550 million renovation
6ABC: ‘South Jersey Girls Who Walk’ brings a social club to local women
WFMZ: SEPTA’s City Hall Station is getting a face lift ahead of America’s 250th birthday celebrations
Momentum Mag: Philly Bike Train is Upping the City of Brotherly Love’s Bicycle Commute Game
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
Are you registered to vote? The deadline for PA voters to register for the November 4th election is Monday! Check your status and register here.
Join the Transit For All PA campaign for sustainable transit funding to keep our state moving forward.
The Inquirer: See inside SEPTA’s efforts to inspect Regional Rail cars that keep catching fire – An emergency order by the Federal Railroad Administration has ordered SEPTA to inspect 225 Silverliner IVs by the end of the month. Inspectors and engineers are looking for signs of overheating and damage to circuits, and are doing electrical testing. The review process began last week, and crews can now handle 12 cars per day. So far inspections have not found any glaring issues, other than normal wear and tear.
CBS Philadelphia: SEPTA says crime continues to drop as transit agency cracks down on fare evasion – Crime has continued to drop on SEPTA according to a quarterly report released on Wednesday. The report showed a 10% decrease in serious crimes compared to the same period of last year. Seven out of eight crime categories have seen a reduction, and riders have reported feeling safer at stations and on board vehicles.
NBC Philadelphia: Philly City Council holds public hearing on SEPTA’s Silverliner IV trains – Amid safety concerns and the inspection of Silverliner IV railcars, Philadelphia City Council’s Transportation and Public Utilities Committee hosted a public hearing. Ongoing delays, the status of inspections, and SEPTA’s timeline were discussed at 2 p.m. on Thursday. SEPTA was given October 31st as their deadline, and they are on track to meet that. The return to “normal”, as things were before inspections began, might be a bit of a longer wait according to the SEPTA General Manager.
Other Stories
NBC Philadelphia: Road closures, SEPTA detours for ‘No Kings’ protest in Philadelphia this weekend
6ABC: ‘We Walk PHL’ helps community members get active and explore Philly parks
CBS Philadelphia: PATCO restores train service after PSE&G power outage
Streetsblog USA: States Have More Power Than They Think to Fund Sustainable Transportation
BillyPenn: Philly disability rights advocates demand accessible 2026 celebrations
NBC Philadelphia: Enjoy a 20-mile car-free experience with Philly Bike Ride this October
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
Join the Transit For All PA campaign for sustainable transit funding to keep our State moving forward.
NBC Philadelphia: Philly lawyer files another lawsuit to stop SEPTA’s fare increase – This week the same Philadelphia lawyer whose previous lawsuit caused a judge to order the full restoration of SEPTA’s services is filing another suit. This class-action lawsuit aims for SEPTA to roll back its 21.5% fare hike. The previous lawsuit resulted in SEPTA tapping into their state capital assistance funding over the next two years. The Pennsylvania legislature continues to miss budget deadlines, leaving public transit without a state budget.
The Inquirer: SEPTA Regional Rail riders face delays, cancellations due to emergency order – SEPTA is performing emergency inspections on railcars this week, leading to delays across the Regional Rail system. SEPTA’s oversight body, the Federal Railroad Administration, issued an emergency order on Monday, removing all cars 50 years and older to complete a thorough inspection. SEPTA riders can expect shorter trains with limited capacity for the next few weeks, as the full inspection needs to be completed within 30 days.
WHYY: Delaware County debuts online interactive map for growing trail system – Delaware County is making information easier to access for the over 45 miles of trail currently open to the public. The online database has all necessary information in one place, with real-time status updates about the growing system. There are around 12 miles of trails currently under construction or in the design phase, with an additional 78 miles in the feasibility or planning phase. The informational hub is a collaborative effort between municipal and regional planning partners, with hopes that public access can increase in the weeks to come before cold weather fully sets in.
Other Stories
Philly Voice: After spate of e-bike deaths, NJ lawmakers propose restrictions and insurance requirements
BillyPenn: ‘Community is a top priority’: This S. Kensington bike shop is owned by its employees
The Inquirer: PHL has more flights this year but lost some low-cost routes
Chestnut Hill Local: New markers on Green Ribbon Trail improve Wissahickon safety
Fox Philadelphia: Philadelphia ranked #1 ‘worst’ city in US to drive in: report
Philadelphia Citizen: Can We Make Car-Free Streets Permanent?
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
Join the Transit For All PA campaign for sustainable transit funding to keep our State moving forward.
WHYY: Philadelphia transit advocates want you to spend your week without driving – Monday saw the start of the national Week Without Driving, and the kick-off event was hosted by Transit Forward Philly, a coalition of Philadelphia advocacy groups, discussing how to improve public transit options in the city. Week Without Driving exists to highlight how our urban infrastructure excludes the one-third of Americans that don’t rely on driving as their main form of transportation. Transit advocates across Philadelphia ask drivers to try to limit their car use this week to see what it’s like and consider how infrastructure can be improved for all.
BillyPenn: Councilmember holds City Hall bike lane bill, alarming cycling advocates – A new bike lane that was slated to be installed for free by PennDOT could be in limbo for a little bit longer. A City Council Committee held off on voting for the approval bill, meaning when PennDOT installs it later this month, it will be considered a pilot program, and could be in danger of being shut down at a later date. More than 20 people testified in favor of the bill at the committee session this week, but the bill’s sponsor Councilman Jeffery Young announced the bill would be put on hold. This bike lane can still be brought up in future City Council Committee meetings.
The Inquirer: Philly Rail Park could expand as new federal ruling clears the way – A federal ruling this week expands plans for the elevated Rail Park in the Callowhill neighborhood. Until the ruling, the old Reading Railroad Viaduct was classified as a railroad, and railroads are exempt from condemnation or taxation. The viaduct was ruled abandoned this week, removing the rail operation designation. The land, now under state and local jurisdiction, can now be condemned if the city can’t reach an agreement with Reading International. Overall goals for the area include a three-mile greenway across historic rail lines, connecting 10 neighborhoods, and filled with paths and greenery.
Other Stories
Chestnut Hill Local: Feet First Philly grants make city more walkable
NBC Philly: NTSB recommends SEPTA suspend more than half of its trains after 5 fires
BillyPenn: The Philly Bike Ride returns for a fourth year of leisurely cruising along Philly’s streets
Chestnut Hill Local: Capital Funds and the Risk for SEPTA
WHYY: NJ Transit is spending billions of dollars on a new fleet of buses. Here’s what to know
NBC Philly: Enjoy a 20-mile car-free experience with Philly Bike Ride this October
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
Join the Transit For All PA campaign for sustainable transit funding to keep our State moving forward.
Have a community project you want to fund and support? Check out the Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant from Feet First Philly! Applications are due October 1st. The full list of requirements and further information can be found here.
BillyPenn: Construction begins on new bike lane around City Hall – A new bike lane will appear around City Hall, thanks to bike advocates lobbying City Council to allow PennDOT to rearrange traffic lanes during a scheduled repavement. One car lane will be removed from three sides of the City Hall square to make room. The new bike lane, which will include flexible plastic posts to separate it from car traffic, is part of an effort to improve cyclist safety and calm congestion in Center City. Although City Council has not approved the bike lane yet, repaving is expected to start in two weeks.
PlanPhilly: Philly cyclists, commuters celebrate the reopening of the MLK Drive Bridge this weekend – The MLK Drive Bridge is officially open for the first time in over two years, following a $20 million rehabilitation project. The bridge opened to pedestrians and cyclists on Friday, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Cherelle Parker, and to vehicles on Monday. Renovations included adding a 10 1/2-foot-wide bike path alongside the vehicle lanes; in a further effort to keep the bridge cyclist- and pedestrian-friendly, the bridge will be closed to vehicles on weekends until November.
Mass Transit: NJ Transit board approves purchase of nearly 300 new buses to fully modernize fleet by 2031 goal – NJ Transit has approved the purchase of 26 zero-emission buses and 260 40-foot clean diesel buses, the last step in the transit agency’s goal to modernize its bus and rail fleet by 2031. NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri predicts that the new buses, which will replace the current aging 40-foot bus fleet, will enhance reliability, safety, and overall customer experience.
Other Stories
NBC10: MLK Drive Bridge in Philly reopens to pedestrians, cyclists and cars
North Penn Now: Lansdale: Main Street paving ‘moving along nicely’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pennsylvania and other states scramble to plug transportation funding holes
The Inquirer: The MLK Drive bridge reopens to rave reviews from runners, bikers, and pedestrians
WHYY: Philadelphia tests out ‘cool pavement’ in Hunting Park to combat summer heat
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pennsylvania’s budget is nearly three months past due
National #WeekWithoutDriving is happening from September 29th until October 5th, and you’re invited to join the Clean Air Council!
We’re asking elected officials, community leaders, and anyone else to step into the shoes of the almost one-third of Americans who don’t drive. So many groups don’t drive – youths, people with disabilities, senior citizens, and those who can’t afford cars or gas, or just don’t want to – relying on public transportation, cycling, or walking to get around every day.
Week Without Driving highlights how car-centered public spaces ignore the needs and safety of pedestrians with infrastructure. We invite you to join us in this experience, whether you try not to drive for the entire week or embrace transit, walking, rolling, and biking for a few trips! Every effort counts towards creating a more connected and equitable world. If you’re already a non-driver, please encourage your friends, family, and your elected officials to go a Week Without Driving!
Transit Forward Philly is hosting a Week Without Driving Kick-Off event on Monday, September 29th, at 5:30 PM at their office on Walnut to learn more about the event, and meet mobility advocates from all over the city. Learn more about the event and RSVP here.
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
Join the Transit For All PA campaign for sustainable transit funding to keep our State moving forward.
Have a community project you want to fund and support? Check out the Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant from Feet First Philly! Applications are due October 1st. The full list of requirements and further information can be found here.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pittsburgh Regional Transit turns to Pa. fund to avoid service cuts during budget impasse – Pittsburgh Regional Transit followed in SEPTA’s footsteps last week, requesting to withdraw nearly $107 million from the Public Transportation Trust Fund to avoid extreme service cuts and fare hikes. The move, which was approved, will allow the transit agency to continue functioning in a full capacity for the time being. Pennsylvania’s Public Transportation Trust Fund is typically intended for infrastructure investments, not operating expenses.
PhillyVoice: Philly airport shares its plans to spend $500 million on upgrades ahead of 2026 – The Philadelphia International Airport will see renovations before the end of this year, with planned upgrades to waiting areas, bathrooms, and increased signage in the airport and on nearby roadways. The airport has already been upgrading facilities in the past year, with local Philly eateries expanding into the airport’s restaurant space. A number of international flight destinations will also be added.
CBS News: Philadelphia starts removing loading zones on Spruce and Pine streets after court order – A court order has mandated the city to remove the loading zones that it recently installed along Spruce and Pine streets. The new loading zones were a result of a law passed this summer that made it illegal for cars to temporarily park in bike lanes; the loading zones were intended to provide a legal place for residents and delivery drivers to pull over and unload. Friends of Spruce & Pine, the neighborhood group that filed the lawsuit resulting in the court order, argued that the loading zones took away valuable parking spots.
Other Stories
CBS News: SEPTA service fully restored with fare increases after service cuts in Philadelphia region
CBS News: Speed cameras on Broad Street in Philadelphia go live in effort to curb deadly crashes
WHYY: Philly airport launches new logo, slogan in preparation for huge influx of 2026 passengers
Mass Transit: PennDOT approves PRT request to tap capital funds to cover budget shortfall
6ABC News: Philadelphia Cycling Classic to return in 2026 after 10-year hiatus
The Inquirer: Morale inside SEPTA, the Roosevelt Boulevard subway’s future, and other takeaways from our transit AMA on Reddit
