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Into what categories should materials be separated?
The categories are:
1) Trash
a) Collectible trash
b) Yard Waste
2) Recyclables
a) Newspaper, magazines, flattened cardboard, and mixed paper
b) Glass food and beverage containers, any aluminum, steel, bi-
metal food or beverage containers, and empty paint or aerosol
cans
c) #1 through #7 plastics
3) City-Wide Cleaning (Illegal Dumping)
1) Trash
When will my trash be collected and when should I put it out?
Your trash will be collected on your scheduled collection day and should be set out after 7:00 PM the evening before your collection day at the earliest or before 7:00 AM on your collection day at the latest.
Early Collection:(Vine St. to Bainbridge St., from Schuylkill River to Delaware River): Set out trash/recycling between 8:00 PM the night before collection day and 6:00 AM the day of collection.
How do I properly prepare my trash for collection?
You should bundle your trash securely and place it in a metal or other non-corrodible receptacle with a tight fitting lid that does not exceed 32 gallons or substantial, leak-proof plastic trash bags with no smaller than a 30 gallon capacity.
How do I properly dispose of needles and other sharp objects?
No bag, bundle, container or receptacle set out for collection may contain any nails, glass or other sharp objects that are not securely sealed. Improperly disposed of sharps and needles could potentially injure collection personnel.
Needles and syringes eligible for collection must be placed in securely sealed plastic or metal containers so needles cannot break through.
How much trash am I allowed to put out weekly?
Rubbish (including yard waste if not leaf season):
Premises with one unit/ single family: 4 cans
Premises with 2 to 6 units: 6 cans
Premises with businesses: 6 cans
Two bags may be substituted for one can.
Recycling: No limit
Yard waste during leaf season: No limit
No bag or container may weigh more than 40 pounds.
What happens if the trash truck misses my house or block?
Call the Streets Department's Customer Affairs Unit and be prepared to give as much information as possible (i.e. location, time and vehicle number on the door.) The Streets Department will then report it to the Area Supervisor. Trash may have not been collected because it was set out too late or there were visible contaminants in the trash.
Should I set my trash out on holidays for collection?
No. You should not set your trash out on holidays for collection. Trash will be collected a day late after holidays. Click here for the holiday schedule.
Will my bulk items be collected?
No, bulk items, such as, appliances and other household items that contain significant amounts of metal that do not fit in a 32 gallon receptacle, will not be collected at curbside. Metal bulk items, such as, refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc. will have to be disposed of privately or taken to one of our Sanitation Convenience Centers. Residents may continue to set out up to two items per week of compactable furniture, such as, sofas, mattresses, etc. for collection at curbside.
What do I do with tires?
Tires are not collected at curbside. Residents may bring up to four (4) tires a day to one of our Sanitation Convenience Centers, or dispose of them privately.
What do I do with my old TV or computer?
Computers, monitors, televisions, and other computer related equipment are not collected at curbside. Residents may take these items to one of our Sanitation Convenience Centers.
Is there any special way to set out yard waste?
Yard Waste consists of tree trimmings, brush cuttings, dirt and leaves. With the exception of "leaf season", yard waste may be placed in trash receptacles and plastic bags with your collectible trash. Tree and brush cuttings should be cut in pieces small enough to fit into a 32 gallon receptacle.
Click here to find out what can be done with your grass clippings to save you time and effort!
Click here for information on Leaf Collection!
2) Recyclables
What types of items can be recycled?
Metal: Tin, aluminum, steel, empty aerosol and paint cans
Glass: Food/beverage jars and bottles
Mixed Paper: Newspapers, magazines, mail (junk and personal), phone books,
food boxes, (remove plastic liner), computer paper, flyers,
wrapping paper (no foil or plastic wrap), beverage cartons
(no food-soiled paper, please!)
Plastic: #1 through #7 plastics. Look for the number on the bottom of the container to see if it's acceptable.
#1: Soda, water bottles
#2: Milk jugs, detergents, shampoo bottles
#3: Rigid plastic containers and juice bottles
#4: Plastic tubs and lids from butter, margarine or similar products
#5: Yogurt containers and deli trays
#6: Plastic cups, plates, and clear to-go containers
#7: Many mixed plastic containers and plastic products
Cardboard: Emptied and flattened
What types of items cannot be recycled?
Metal: Aluminum foil, pots and pans, paper clips
Glass: Light bulbs, window glass
Mixed paper: Books (other than magazines), tissues, paper towels/napkins,
wax-coated cups or containers, food soiled papers or pizza boxes
Plastic: Plastic bags
Miscellaneous: Styrofoam, chemicals, rubber, wood, PVC pipe, packaging inserts or "peanuts."
When will my recyclable items be collected?
Your recyclables will be picked up weekly on the same day as your trash day.
In what types of containers should recyclables be placed?
Any rigid container marked "RECYCLING" may be used. NEVER use plastic bags or cardboard boxes for recyclables. If one bin is not enough to hold all recyclables, residents may add another container.
Residents may also pick up a recycling bin at any Sanitation Convenience Center between the hours of 8am- 6pm, Monday through Saturday or at their local recreation center. Only one container per person. Please call first for availability. Residents requiring more than one bin should contact 215-686-5595.
How do I get a Recycling Sticker for my container?
To request a Recycling Sticker for your container, call 215-685-7329.
How much recycling can I set out for collection?
There is no limit per collection for recyclable materials; however no container filled with recyclable materials may weigh more than 40 pounds.
How can I get more information about recycling?
Citizens may visit www.recyclingpays.phila.gov or contact the Recycling hotline at 215-685-RECY(CLE)7329. Citizens may also contact 215-871-0400 to schedule an information session for your community group.
What happens when regular rubbish trucks pick up recyclables?
Please call the Streets Departments Customer Affairs Unit and provide detailed information (i.e. location, time, and vehicle number on door). Customer Affairs will then report this to the Area Supervisor. Please remember that in some instances, regular trash trucks are used to collect recyclables because there are not enough recycling trucks available.
What happens if a recycle truck misses someone's house or block?
Please call the Streets Department's Customer Affairs Unit and be sure to provide all the required information. The Recycling hotline number is 215-685-7329.
3) City-wide Cleaning (Illegal Dumping)
Who cleans public areas that have illegal dumping?
Citywide Cleaning Unit uses a short dump crew to clean public areas that have illegal dumping.
What other services are done by Citywide Cleaning?
Citywide cleaning is responsible for cleaning after Special Events, such as parades and ball games. However, the event organizer/holder is responsible for paying all costs involved in the clean-up efforts. They may use compactors for Saturday during neighborhood clean-ups (Approved by PMBC - Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee).
Who is responsible for cleaning Alleys and Driveways?
The property owner is responsible for the cleaning of alleys and driveways.
Click here for more information on trash collection
Click here to view and/or print the Philadelphia Department of Streets Regulations Governing Municipal and Private Collection of Refuse
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