Goshen Environmental Center

- 20100 Co Rd 19, Goshen, IN 46528

The Goshen Environmental Center, operated in partnership with Scott Organic Products, LLC, is a key resource for residents and small landscaping businesses in the Goshen, Indiana area. Serving a dual function, this facility acts as a central location for the responsible disposal and recycling of organic yard waste, while also offering essential landscaping supply products like mulch, compost, and topsoil for purchase. It embodies the City of Goshen’s commitment to environmental stewardship by facilitating the diversion of yard debris from landfills and creating useful products for local gardening and landscaping projects.

As a local point of interest, the Environmental Center is vital for maintaining the cleanliness and beauty of properties throughout the community. Homeowners, especially during the busy spring and fall clean-up seasons, rely on the center for handling everything from grass clippings and leaves to brush and garden waste. Its purpose is rooted in promoting eco-conscious practices, encouraging residents to manage their yard waste in a way that protects local waterways and contributes back to the health of the soil. This cycle of organic recycling is a cornerstone of the center's value to the Michiana region.

However, potential users, especially those from outside Goshen or contractors working within the city, should be aware of the center's specific policies, particularly concerning fees and product composition. The facility operates under residency requirements where proof of Goshen residency is necessary to take advantage of free drop-off for certain materials like brush and leaves. Furthermore, the quality and composition of bulk products, such as mulch, can vary, and it is always wise to inspect materials before purchase, as some customer feedback has indicated dissatisfaction with the dirt-to-mulch ratio in some batches. This information is crucial for local users to ensure a positive and cost-effective experience.

The Goshen Environmental Center is designed to be a convenient, single-stop location for managing the organic materials generated by yard work. Whether you are seeking a place to responsibly dispose of debris from a weekend gardening project or looking to purchase a bulk supply of nutrient-rich compost to enrich your soil, the center aims to be an accessible and functional solution right here in Elkhart County. Understanding the pricing tiers and residency rules is the first step toward utilizing this important local asset effectively.

The Goshen Environmental Center is situated on the north side of Goshen, making it easily accessible for local residents and contractors operating throughout the area. Its location on a major county road ensures simple access for trucks and trailers hauling yard waste or picking up bulk supplies.

• Address: 20100 County Road 19, Goshen, IN 46528, USA.
• Geographic Position: The facility is located just west of the intersection of North Indiana Avenue and County Road 19.
• Accessibility: The center is designed for vehicular access, offering on-site services for both dropping off organic waste and loading up landscaping materials. Given its location outside the immediate downtown area, traffic flow for industrial-sized vehicles is generally manageable.
• Business Hours: The hours of operation are seasonal. During the summer season (April 1 to November 30), the hours are extended: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In the winter (December 1 to March 31), hours are reduced to Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The center is closed on Sundays and holidays. It is always best to check the City of Goshen website for the most current schedule.

The center specializes in organic recycling and material supply, catering primarily to the needs of local homeowners and commercial landscapers.

• Yard Waste Drop-Off & Disposal:
  • Free Drop-Off for Goshen Residents: Residents who can provide proof of residency can drop off brush and leaves at no charge.
  • Paid Drop-Off for Other Materials/Users: A price-based fee structure is in place for other types of material (like grass clippings, yard waste, garden waste, and root balls) and for non-residents. Fees vary depending on the amount of material.
  • Acceptable Materials: Grass clippings, pulled flowers and weeds, twigs and branches, leaves, yard waste, garden waste, and root balls.
  • Drop-Off Procedures: Bagged leaves and brush are accepted, but bagged leaves must be emptied on-site, with the bags removed by the user.
• Landscaping Supply Sales: The facility processes the organic material dropped off to create useful products for the community.
  • Mulch: Available for purchase, often produced from the brush and tree waste collected locally.
  • Compost: Nutrient-rich, organic compost, which has been positively reviewed for use in improving local garden and planting soil.
  • Topsoil: Typically available for purchase, providing a crucial bulk material for construction and gardening projects.
• Onsite Services: The facility is set up for onsite transactions, including receiving waste and loading supplies directly onto customer vehicles.

As a small business operating under the City of Goshen's oversight, the Environmental Center offers several important advantages to the local community:

• Support for City Environmental Goals: By offering a dedicated disposal site, the center helps the City of Goshen manage organic waste responsibly and keeps debris out of local sewers and waterways, which is a major environmental benefit for the entire region.
• Local Product Manufacturing: The process of recycling local yard waste into mulch and compost creates a sustainable, locally-sourced product for the community. This circular system reduces transportation costs and carbon footprint compared to purchasing materials shipped from far outside Indiana.
• Convenience of Bulk Material: The facility allows residents and contractors to purchase bulk mulch, compost, and topsoil by the yard, which is significantly more cost-effective and practical for large projects than buying bagged materials from a big-box store.
• Acceptance of Credit Cards: Offering modern payment options, including credit cards, adds convenience for both residents and small businesses using the facility.
• Clear Residency Benefits: The policy of offering free brush and leaf drop-off to Goshen residents provides a tangible and valuable benefit to taxpayers and helps ensure high compliance with local disposal guidelines.

To confirm current pricing, hours, and residency requirements before visiting, local users can contact the Environmental Center directly.

Address: 20100 Co Rd 19, Goshen, IN 46528, USA

Phone: (574) 533-6200

Mobile Phone: +1 574-533-6200

The Goshen Environmental Center is worth choosing primarily because it offers a vital, locally controlled option for managing yard materials that aligns with community values of environmental stewardship. For Goshen residents, the benefit of free brush and leaf drop-off is a compelling reason to utilize the facility, saving money and ensuring that their waste is handled properly. Even for non-residents and contractors, the center provides a convenient, dedicated disposal solution that many commercial or residential waste collectors cannot accommodate.

Furthermore, its function as a landscaping supply store is critical. When planning a local garden bed or a large-scale renovation, purchasing compost and mulch directly from the source that processes local, organic materials often means getting fresher, more community-relevant products. While the quality of certain products like mulch may require careful inspection upon purchase, as noted in user reviews, the center's compost has a reputation for being of good quality. It is a local recycling loop you can see and touch. Choosing the Goshen Environmental Center supports a local initiative that keeps our community clean, converts waste into a resource, and offers an essential, year-round service to every Indiana resident who maintains a yard or garden in the greater Goshen area. It’s a foundational piece of the local green infrastructure.

Goshen Environmental Center

20100 Co Rd 19, Goshen, IN 46528, USA