Philadelphia — On Wednesday, September 16, 2026, the City of Philadelphia announced a transformative municipal solid waste reduction initiative aimed at modernizing waste management, minimizing reliance on landfills and waste-to-energy facilities, and promoting sustainable practices citywide.

During a press conference, Managing Director Carlton Williams was joined by City officials and sustainability partners to provide an update on the City’s municipal solid waste contracts and outline a comprehensive plan to transition Philadelphia toward a long-term, sustainable circular economy.

The initiative directly delivers on several key waste strategies outlined in the City’s Clean and Green Cabinet’s 2025 Clean and Green Report. In Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s first 100 days in office, she established the Clean and Green Cabinet. The Cabinet was charged with researching and evaluating policy, programming, and best practices to make Philadelphia cleaner and greener. The strategies are central pillars of the Zero Waste and Circular Economy Act introduced by Councilmember Mark Squilla.

• Expansion: Expanding existing waste technologies and piloting new ones through private partnerships.
• Partnerships: Continuing partnerships to expand existing waste technologies and pilot new ones.
• Organic Composting Facility: Developing an organic composting program utilizing private investment to construct a state-of-the-art processing facility.
• Food-Waste Expansion: Investigating the expansion of municipal food-waste reduction while supporting composting programs initiated by local businesses and city agencies.
• Green Infrastructure & Technology: Developing organics processing capacity and end-product usage to support citywide sustainability goals and explore alternative methods like anaerobic digestion.
• Implementation: Implementing policies that actively encourage waste reduction.

The Zero Waste and Circular Economy Act authorizes the administration, under the leadership of the Managing Director and the Clean and Green Cabinet, to develop a comprehensive, data-driven plan to divert municipal solid waste from traditional disposal methods. It works to turn the Cabinet’s core recommendations into legislative action.

“We are extremely pleased to support Councilmember Squilla’s bill,” said Managing Director Carlton Williams. “It offers a real solution to reduce waste in a way that protects the environment. It converts waste to energy safely, without harming our city or our neighbors. It also boosts our economy by attracting private investment and creating green infrastructure jobs for future generations.”

City partners and stakeholders are invested in seeing more sustainable, responsible approaches to managing our municipal waste.

“Neither landfilling nor waste incineration represent environmentally friendly approaches to managing municipal solid waste,” said Mark Squilla, Councilperson, 1^st Councilmanic District. “Developing this Plan – and ultimately implementing the waste reduction and alternative waste diversion methods it calls for – is the best way to responsibly transition from those current waste disposal practices to take advantage of new systems that can help reduce our emissions, improve public health, and drive economic benefits and job creation. That system should emphasize reduction first, and also rethink how we collect, recycle, reuse, and ultimately dispose of our waste.”

The Zero Waste Circular Economy Act provides for a waste strategy where the Sanitation Department can actively plan and develop additional waste management systems that reduce its reliance on landfills and WTE sites. This legislation allows for the inclusion of alternative waste methods that provide for sustainable waste solutions like anerobic digestion.

During the press conference, officials also announced that the City’s 2026 municipal waste contracts have reached the final phases of the Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The contracts with the selected vendors have been signed and conformed through the Law Department. The Administration has submitted the required ordinances to City Council for final consideration and approval.

“Throughout this process, the Sanitation Department’s priorities have remained the same: fairness, fiscal responsibility, reliable service, commitment to transparency, and environmental stewardship,” said Crystal Jacobs Shipman, Sanitation Commissioner. “The 2026 contracts represent the most cost-efficient proposal for Philadelphia taxpayers, balancing fiscal responsibility with dependable collection services while positioning Philadelphia for a sustainable future.”

Over the past months, the City worked closely with its sustainability partners, subject matter experts, and key stakeholders to build a long-term, sustainable waste strategy.

“By combining cutting-edge waste contracts with the legislative framework of the Zero Waste and Circular Economy Act, the City of Philadelphia is establishing a modern waste strategy that protects public health, addresses climate change, and ensures long-term environmental stewardship for all Philadelphia neighborhoods,” said Maurice Sampson, Environmental Advocate.

The ultimate goal of the Zero Waste and Circular Economy Act is to reduce reliance on outdated, environmentally unfriendly disposal options, including landfills and WTE. Through the bill the City is delivering a fiscally responsible, environmentally safe strategy that reduces waste, increases recycling, attracts private investment, and creates green infrastructure jobs for future generations. This landmark bill creates a comprehensive strategy to reduce waste, save taxpayer money, and advance environmental justice. It builds infrastructure, creates green jobs, and directly aligns with Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s vision to make Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, and greenest big city in America with economic opportunity for all.