This page is to provide resources associated with trash and recycling issues in the neighborhood.

THIS JUST IN: AS OF AUGUST 1st, 2010 THE CITY IS NOW PICKING UP PLASTICS #3-#7!!! LEARN MORE ABOUT IT AT THE STREETS DEPARTMENT WEBSITE.

BLUE RECYCLING BINS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR FREE PICK UP AT THE SOSNA OFFICE, 1901 CHRISTIAN STREET.

RECYCLE YOUR PLASTIC BAGS AT THE SOSNA OFFICE!! Tired of saving your old newspaper bags? Forget to bring them to the grocery store? Swing by 1901 Christian Street and recycle them at a convenient, central location.  Bring them by anytime during office hours - Monday: 9-7; Tuesday - Thursday: 9-4; Friday: CLOSED.

Don't have room in your place for a big bin, come pick up a RECYCLING STICKER at the SOSNA OFFICE, and put it on any sized container!

Problems with Graffiti? Call the City's Graffiti hotline: 215-686-0000

TRY TO RECYCLE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN - EVERY TON OF WASTE DIVERTED FROM LANDFILLS SAVES THE CITY $65!!!

Check out this great and informative article about Philadelphia's Recycling process and rewards program, posted on February 1, 2010:
http://www.philly.com/philly/health_and_science/20100201_Experiment_with_recycling_rewards_begins.html

FAQs:

• When is my trash day?
  • West of 21st Street: MONDAYS (trash can go out starting at 7:00 PM Sunday Night)
  • 21st to 16th Streets: TUESDAYS (trash can go out starting at 7:00 PM Monday Night)
  • East of 16th Street: WEDNESDAYS (trash can go out starting at 7:00 PM Tuesday Night)
  • See the link below to a pdf of the area rubbish collection map.
• How do holidays affect my trash pick up schedule?
  • In general, holidays delay trash and recycling pick-up by one day. E.g. A Monday holiday will result in Monday's pick-up occuring on Tuesday; Tuesday's on Wednesday, and so forth. Check out Check out the following website for the 2010 Holiday schedule: http://www.phila.gov/streets/HolidayCollection.html
• How do I put out trash correctly?

  • You should bundle your trash securely and place it in a metal or other non-corrodible receptacle with a tight fitting lid that does not exceed 32 gallons or substantial, leak-proof plastic trash bags with no smaller than a 30 gallon capacity. 

  • Rinse out all containers for recycling or trash.

  • No bag, bundle, container or receptacle set out for collection shall contain any nails, glass or other sharp objects in a manner as to potentially cause injury to collection personnel.

  • Needles and syringes eligible for collection shall be placed in securely sealed plastic or metal containers in such a manner that the needles cannot perforate the container.

  • Though this does not work for all, it is best to put trash out the morning of your trash day.  This helps prevent people from riffling through your trash over night, and creating more litter on the block.
• Who should I call to report illegal dumping, or when fellow neighbors do not put their trash out correctly?
  • Call 311
  • Call the Streets Department Customer Services Unit: 215 685-4275 or 215-686-5560
  • SOSNA Homepage via SeeClickFix map application
• What gets recycled?
  • Metal: Tin, aluminum, steel, empty aerosol and paint cans
    Glass: Food/beverage jars and bottles
    Mixed Paper: Newspapers, magazines, mail (junk and personal), phone books,
                        food boxes, (remove plastic liner), computer paper, flyers,
                        wrapping paper (no foil or plastic wrap), beverage cartons
                        (no food-soiled paper, please!)
    Plastic: #1 & #2 plastics only (mostly beverage and detergent containers) Look for the number on the bottom of the container to see if it's acceptable.
    Cardboard: Emptied and flattened
• What happens if my trash/recycling isn't picked up?
  • Call the Streets Department customer services unit - 215-686-5560
• I've been hearing about this recycling rewards program or Recycle Bank - what is it and when can I sign up?
  • To encourage more Philadelphia residents to recycle, the City has unveiled a new Recycling Rewards program (see the full press release here: http://phillyrecyclingpays.com/News_Details.asp?newsCode=33H46M3J30) 
  • Residents will get "points" each time they recycle, and the points will be redeemable for discounts, full-value gift cards, and charitable contributions at hundreds of local and national merchants and non-profits.
  • Scheduled to be unveiled in South Philadelphia in May, BUT YOU CAN SIGN UP NOW - visit www.phillyrecyclingpays.com
  • You must have a valid email to sign up.
  • When you sign up, you will receive a sticker barcode in the mail, which you should then place on your recycling bin.  Each time recycling is picked up, your barcode will be scanned, and rewards points will be added to your account.  You get 100 points just for signing up.
• Where can more of my trash/recycling questions be answered?
  • Streets Department Website: http://www.phila.gov/streets/Sanitation_FAQ.html
  • Philadephia Recycling: www.phillyrecyclingpays.com
  • Keep Philadelphia Beautiful: http://www.keepphiladelphiabeautiful.org/
  • Earth911: http://earth911.com/ - this is a great way to find recycling resources close by for hard-to-recycle items
• Where can I get one of those CIRCULAR FREE STICKERS for my door?
  • The SOSNA Office, 1901 Christian Street.
  • Download the form attached below entitled NO HANDBILLS
  • Fax it to the number on the form, if you have a fax; or if you don't, drop if off at the SOSNA office and it will be faxed for you.