Guidelines for all Residents and Businesses with City Trash Collection

Regulations Governing Municipal and Private Collection of Refuse

KNOW YOUR TRASH COLLECTION DAY

PUT OUT YOUR TRASH AT THE CORRECT TIME

Regular Collection: Trash/recycling should be set out between 7:00 PM the night before collection day and 7:00 AM the day of collection at your authorized pickup site. 
Early Collection (Vine St. to Bainbridge St., from Schuylkill River to Delaware River): Trash/recycling should be set out after 8:00 PM the night before collection day and no later than 6:00 AM the day of collection at your authorized pickup site.

PUT OUT TRASH IN PROPER CONTAINERS

Place all trash in metal or other non-corrodible personal trash cans or sealed plastic bags, filled only to the 40-pound limit. Wood scraps along with tree and brush cuttings shall be cut in pieces small enough to fit in a receptacle for set out. These items should be placed in receptacles or bags for collection. NOTE: Cardboard boxes may never be used as containers for trash/recycling

Newspapers and flattened cardboard boxes along with steel, aluminum or bi-metal cans, empty aerosol or paint cans, glass jars and bottles, paper, and #1 through #7 plastics should be placed out as recycling.

USE YOUR OWN CONTAINERS TO DISPOSE OF TRASH

City litter baskets are for pedestrian use only. Do not use them to dispose of your household trash.

KNOW WEEKLY LIMITS ON THE AMOUNT OF TRASH

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.

       Yard waste during leaf season:          No Limit

       Recycling:                                       No Limit

No bag or container may weigh more than 40 pounds.

Exceeding the Limits  

The Public has the following options to dispose of trash/rubbish in excess of these limits: spread trash over several weeks, increase recycling(which has no limits), and/or dispose of rubbish privately. 

KNOW WHAT REFUSE THE CITY DOES NOT COLLECT

The following refuse is not collected by the City and shall not be set out for collection nor taken to a Sanitation Convenience Center:

           A) Highly flammable substances, explosive or radioactive materials, toxic or

                corrosive substances, or otherwise hazardous material which shall be

                disposed of as prescribed by the Fire and Health Departments.

           B) Pathological wastes from medical offices and clinics, which shall be

                disposed of as prescribed by the Health Department.

           C) Grass trimmings/clippings.  Grass trimmings and clippings should be

                mulched into the lawn or collected by private landscaping/collection

                companies.  For more information on Grass-Cycling click here. 

           D) Construction Debris

The following refuse may not be set out for curbside collection but may be taken to a Sanitation Convenience Center:

           A) Computers, monitors, televisions

           B) Bulk items, or items that contain significant amounts of metal and are too

                large to fit in a 32-gallon trash receptacle, such as refrigerators, stoves,

                washing machines, metal furniture etc.

           C) Household Hazardous Waste (Items will only be accepted during Household

                Hazardous Waste Events). 

           D) Tires (limit of four per day).

           E) The following #6 plastics may not be set out with other recyclables but may be

               taken to the Northeast Sanitation Convenience Center at State Road and

               Ashburner Street:

                         -Foam, packing peanuts, cups, food-service containers, plates, egg cartons,

                          and large molded blocks used to package electronics.

BULK ITEMS AND TIRES

The Streets Department does not accept white metal bulk items or tires as part of curbside collection. Automotive tires and appliances, such as, stoves, washing machines, refrigerators, hot water heaters, etc. should be taken away by a private hauler, or residents may bring these items (limit of two bulk items and four tires) to one of our Sanitation Convenience Centers.  

Residents may continue to set out compactable furniture, such as sofas, mattresses, box springs etc., for collection at curbside, up to two items per week.

CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS

Contractors and residents are required to dispose of construction debris through a private hauler. All waste materials from construction or remodeling, including but not limited to, wood, metal, ceramics, drywall, and demolition materials will not be accepted for collection.

WOOD SCRAPS 

Wood scraps along with tree and brush cuttings shall be cut in pieces small enough to fit in a receptacle for collection. These items should be placed in a receptacle or bag for collection.  

TELEVISIONS AND COMPUTER EQUIPMENT

Televisions and computer equipment will not be collected curbside. These items may be discarded at scheduled Household Hazardous Waste events, or through other private means. Residents may also bring these items to a Sanitation Convenience Center.

NON-METAL ITEMS

Non-metal items such as furniture are considered compactable, and can be placed in collection vehicles with regular rubbish. Large items, items that cannot fir into a standard trash receptacle, are limited to one item for each weekly setout.

SANITATION CONVENIENCE CENTERS

Sanitation Convenience Centers are available for residents only. These locations accept rubbish, recyclables, bulk items, or tires. Residents wishing to use the Sanitation Convenience Centers must show proof of Philadelphia residency at the center and must use a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) under 6,000 pounds. No commercial vehicles (i.e. pick up truck) will be allowed to enter. Please note that all relevant regulations on limits and types of materials still apply.  All locations are open Monday through Saturday, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., except on City holidays.           

            Southwest Philadelphia - 3033 S. 63rd St., near Passyunk Ave.

                       215-685-4290

            Northwest Philadelphia - 300 block Domino Lane, near Umbria St.

                       215-685-2501

            Northeast Philadelphia - State Rd. & Ashburner St.

                       215-685-8072

CUSTOMER SERVICE STANDARD

• Rubbish & Recycling Collections
  • On-time collection
  • Redress: The Streets Department will pick-up any missed collections on the next day.
  NOTE: Property owners are responsible for informing tenants of these regulations.

Guidelines for Businesses with Private Trash Collection

OBEY THE TIMETABLE FOR PUTTING OUT TRASH

Trash must not be put out more than two hours prior to collection. For collection scheduled after business hours, trash must be put out no more than 30 minutes prior to the close of business. Dumpsters not licensed for public right-of-way placement must be kept inside the business premises until the proper setout time. Click HERE to view the Dumpster Law Page.

PUT OUT TRASH IN PROPER CONTAINERS

Regulations require rigid containers equipped with lids for all trash and garbage put out for private collection. Each lid must be securely closed when waste is in the receptacle and garbage containers must be fully leak-proof and able to withstand wind and rain.

 Wood scraps along with tree and brush cuttings shall be cut in pieces small enough to fit in a receptacle for collection. These items should be placed in a receptacle or bag for collection.

 NOTE: Cardboard boxes may never be used as containers for trash or recycling, regardless of who collects it!

Newspapers and flattened cardboard boxes along with steel and aluminum cans, glass jars and bottles, paper and #1 through #7 plastics should be placed with your recyclables.

USE YOUR OWN CONTAINERS TO DISPOSE OF TRASH

City litter baskets are for pedestrian use only. Do not use them to dispose of your trash.

COMPLY WITH DUMPSTER LAWS

Laws governing dumpster usage and placement are in effect. Consult your SWEEP officer for specific rules pertaining to licensing, identification, and frequency of emptying, standards of cleanliness, proper closure, and screening requirement. Dumpsters may not be used for grindable food waste disposal.