Residential Overview
The more you know about the DOs and DON’Ts of trash collection and recycling – as well as practical information, like collection schedules – the easier it is to do your part to keep our city clean. Here’s a list of important information that can help:
Trash and Recycling Collection Day
Visit
http://citymaps.phila.gov, and type in your address in the search bar to find out your trash and recycling day.
Trash and Recycling Setout Times
Regular Collection
Trash and recycling should be set out between 7:00 PM the night before collection day and 7:00 AM the day of collection.
Early Collection
(Vine St. to Bainbridge St., from Schuylkill River to Delaware River): Trash and 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.
Holiday Collection
Click here to see the Holiday and full Collection Schedule.
| REPORT A PROBLEM |
| Having a problem? To report an issue with sanitation pickup, Click here if you did not receive collection on your scheduled collection day and your setout is within the regulations of the Sanitation Code. |
What Can I Recycle?
Metal:
Tin and aluminum cans, empty aerosol cans, empty paint cans
Glass:
Jars and bottles
Mixed Paper:
Newspaper, magazines, mail (junk and personal), phone books, food boxes (remove plastic liner), computer paper, flyers, wrapping paper (no foil or plastic wrap), soda and beer cartons (no food-soiled paper, please!)
Plastic Containers:
Recycle All Household Plastic Containers plus plastic tops and lids!
#1: Soda and water bottles, condiment and peanut butter jars, etc.
#2: Milk, water and juice jugs, detergents, shampoo bottles, dairy product containers, flower pots, some household cleaners
#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 to-go containers (clear, rigid #6 only, not styrofoam products)
#7: Many mixed plastic containers and plastic products
Cardboard:
Empty and flattened
What you can’t recycle:
Metal:
Aluminum foil, pots/pans, paper clips
Glass:
Light bulbs, window glass
Mixed Paper:
Hard back books, tissues, paper towels, napkins, wax-coated cups or containers, food-soiled paper, file folders
Plastic:
Styrofoam, plastic bags, PVC pipe, packing inserts or “peanuts.”
Other:
Chemicals, rubber, wood,
and ceramic or porcelain plates or cups
Want to learn more about recycling, check out our recycling section.
Proper Containers for Setout
Place all trash in metal or other non-corrodible personal trashcans 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.
For recycling, you can use any sturdy plastic or metal container that holds 32 gallons or less and just mark it with the word "RECYCLING" on its side. If one bin is not enough to hold all recyclables, simply add another one.
NOTE: Cardboard boxes may never be used as containers for trash/recycling, regardless of who collects it!
Use your own containers to set out trash. City litter baskets are for pedestrian use only. Do not use them to dispose of your household trash.
Weekly Limits for Trash
- Each single-family household is allowed a maximum of four (4) 32 gallon containers or eight (8) 30 – 32 gallon bags of trash each week
- All other premises are allowed a maximum of six (6) 32 gallon containers or twelve (12) 30 - 32 gallon bags
- The weight limit for a bag or can is 40 lbs. The total weight should not exceed 240 lbs
What the City Does Not Collect
The following refuse may not be set out for curbside collection, but may be taken to a Sanitation Convenience Center:
- Computers, monitors, televisions
- 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.
- Household Hazardous Waste (Items will only be accepted during Household Hazardous Waste Events).
For information on the City's Household Hazardous Waste Events, click here
The following refuse is not collected by the City and shall not be set out for collection nor taken to a Sanitation Convenience Center:
- 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.
- Pathological wastes from medical offices and clinics, which shall be disposed of as prescribed by the Health Department.
- Grass trimmings/clippings, which should be mulched into the lawn or collected by private landscaping/collection companies. For more information on Grass-Cycling click here.
- Construction debris.
Customer Service Standard
Trash & 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.
Click here to view and/or print the Philadelphia Street Department Regulations Governing Municipal and Private Collection of refuse.