It’s easiest to have a container or two set up where separation happens. You might keep a bin in the kitchen for bottles and cans you’ve washed out, a bin in the bathroom for toilet paper rolls and rinsed and dried shampoo bottles, and another in the office for used paper and mail.

Since we use single-stream recycling in Philadelphia, you can also put all your recyclables in the same bin.

Learn more about what you can recycle.

• Keep food and liquid out of your recycling.
• Rinse bottles, cans, and plastic. Let them dry before you put them in the bin.
• Get a lid for your City-issued recycling bin. Or, you can use a cover of your choosing to help keep your recycling dry.

It’s better to not place an item in the bin than to contaminate the bin. If you’re not sure, throw it away instead.

Learn more about what to keep out of the bin.

You can get a recycling bin from the City or one of our partners. You can also use any household container that:

• Is no larger than 32 gallons.
• Is no more than 40 pounds.

You can set out unlimited recycling, as long as it is packaged and bundled correctly. Don’t put recyclables in plastic bags or cardboard boxes. Plastic bags can damage equipment, and if it rains, cardboard boxes may split and make a mess on your sidewalk.

Put your recycling bin out every week on the same day as trash day.

If you live in Center City (Vine St. to Bainbridge St., from Schuylkill River to Delaware River), refer to this table.