Trash & Recycle
This information is intended to educate students about rules and regulations in the surrounding community and the laws governing trash collection within the City of Philadelphia and to gain voluntary compliance with the law. This is an ongoing effort by Off Campus and Commuter Student Life.
Tips and Resources
PUT OUT TRASH IN PROPER CONTAINERS
- 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. 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.
Regular Collection: Every Monday 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. For more detailed information about trash visit http://www.phila.gov/streets/Trash.html
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).
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 (ie. 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.