Philadelphia Trash & Recycling Guide 2025: Collection Schedule, Sanitation Centers & HHW Events
Philadelphia's Streets Department provides waste collection services to approximately 580,000 households across the city. This comprehensive guide covers everything Philadelphia residents need to know about trash pickup schedules, recycling, bulky item disposal, household hazardous waste events, and the city's 6 Sanitation Convenience Centers.
Last Updated: January 24, 2025
Finding Your Philadelphia Trash & Recycling Schedule
Philadelphia provides twice-weekly trash collection and once-weekly recycling collection for all residential properties. Your specific collection days depend on your address.
How to Find Your Collection Days
1. Online Schedule Finder Visit the Philadelphia Streets Department website and enter your address:
2. Call 311 Call Philadelphia's 311 service line to speak with a representative who can provide your schedule.
3. Philly311 Mobile App Download the Philly311 app (iOS/Android) to access your collection schedule and request services.
Trash Set-Out Rules (IMPORTANT!)
Philadelphia has seasonal set-out time requirements that residents MUST follow:
🌸 April 1 - September 30 (Summer/Fall):
- Set out between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM
- Later evening set-out to reduce daytime sidewalk clutter
❄️ October 1 - March 31 (Winter/Spring):
- Set out between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM
- Earlier set-out allowed during colder months
⚠️ Violations: Setting out trash outside these hours may result in fines.
What Gets Collected
Trash (Twice Weekly):
- Bagged household waste
- Maximum 4 bags or containers per collection
- Each bag/container maximum 35 pounds
- Containers must have handles and lids
Recycling (Once Weekly):
- Paper, cardboard, newspaper
- Plastic bottles and containers (#1-7)
- Glass bottles and jars
- Metal cans and aluminum
- NO BAGS: Recycling must be loose in bins or bundled (cardboard)
Philadelphia Sanitation Convenience Centers (6 Locations)
Philadelphia operates 6 Sanitation Convenience Centers where residents can drop off bulk items, electronics, yard waste, and recyclables. These centers are FREE for Philadelphia residents.
Locations and Hours
All centers are open Monday-Saturday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM (closed Sundays and holidays).
1. Port Richmond Sanitation Convenience Center
- 📍 3901 Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19137
- Serves: Northeast Philadelphia, Port Richmond, Fishtown, Kensington
2. Strawberry Mansion Sanitation Convenience Center
- 📍 2601 W. Glenwood Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19121
- Serves: North Philadelphia, Strawberry Mansion, Fairmount, Brewerytown
3. Southwest Sanitation Convenience Center
- 📍 3033 S. 63rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19153
- Serves: Southwest Philadelphia, Eastwick, Elmwood
4. Northwest Sanitation Convenience Center
- 📍 300 Block of Domino Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19128
- Serves: Roxborough, Manayunk, East Falls, Northwest Philadelphia
5. Northeast Sanitation Convenience Center
- 📍 State Road & Ashburner Street, Philadelphia, PA 19114
- Serves: Northeast Philadelphia, Mayfair, Bustleton, Fox Chase
6. West Philadelphia Sanitation Convenience Center
- 📍 5100 Grays Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143
- Serves: West Philadelphia, University City, Overbrook
What You Can Bring to Sanitation Convenience Centers
✅ Accepted Items:
- Bulk household items (furniture, appliances, mattresses)
- Limit: 2 bulk items per visit per day
- Electronics (TVs, computers, monitors, printers, etc.)
- Yard waste (leaves, branches, grass clippings)
- Recyclables (paper, cardboard, metal, glass, plastic)
- Scrap metal
- Clean wood and lumber
- Tires (up to 8 per visit)
❌ NOT Accepted:
- Household hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, batteries)
- Construction debris from contractors
- Commercial/business waste
- Medical waste or sharps
- Propane tanks
- Asbestos materials
📋 Requirements:
- Must show proof of Philadelphia residency (utility bill, lease, ID)
- 2 bulk item limit per visit strictly enforced
- No appointment needed
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Events
Philadelphia hosts 7 Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events throughout 2025. These events are FREE for Philadelphia residents and accept materials that cannot go in regular trash.
2025 HHW Event Schedule
Events run 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM on the following dates:
- Saturday, May 17, 2025 - Location TBA
- Saturday, June 14, 2025 - Location TBA
- Saturday, July 12, 2025 - Location TBA
- Saturday, September 13, 2025 - North Philadelphia
- Saturday, October 11, 2025 - Southwest Philadelphia
- Saturday, November 1, 2025 - Port Richmond area
- Saturday, November 15, 2025 - Location TBA
⚠️ No Appointment Required - Simply drive up during event hours.
📍 Event Locations: Announced 2-4 weeks before each event on www.phila.gov.
What HHW Events Accept
✅ Accepted Hazardous Materials:
- Oil-based paints and stains
- Paint thinners and solvents
- Automotive fluids (motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid)
- Household cleaners and chemicals
- Pesticides, herbicides, insecticides
- Pool chemicals
- Batteries (car, rechargeable, lithium)
- Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs
- Mercury-containing items (thermometers, thermostats)
- Aerosol cans (partially full)
- Fire extinguishers
❌ NOT Accepted:
- Latex/water-based paint (dry it out and trash it)
- Electronics (take to Sanitation Convenience Centers)
- Sharps/needles (use sharps drop boxes at pharmacies)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Radioactive materials
- Commercial/business waste
📦 Limits: Reasonable household quantities (no commercial amounts).
Bulky Item Pickup Service
Philadelphia offers scheduled bulky item pickup for items too large for regular trash collection.
How to Schedule Bulky Item Pickup
Online:
- Request pickup via Philly311 portal: www.phila.gov/services/streets-sidewalks-alleys/trash-recycling/request-a-bulk-trash-pickup
Phone:
- Call 311 to schedule pickup
Mobile App:
- Use Philly311 app (iOS/Android) to request service
Bulky Item Pickup Details
What Qualifies:
- Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables, mattresses)
- Appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves)
- Large household items that don't fit in trash containers
Limits:
- Up to 4 items per appointment
- Items must be set out by 6:00 AM on scheduled pickup day
Alternative: Drop off up to 2 bulk items per day at any Sanitation Convenience Center (no appointment needed).
Electronics (E-Waste) Disposal
Philadelphia residents have convenient options for disposing of electronics responsibly.
Sanitation Convenience Centers (Best Option)
All 6 Sanitation Convenience Centers accept electronics Monday-Saturday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM:
- Televisions and monitors (CRT and flat screen)
- Computers, laptops, tablets
- Printers, scanners, fax machines
- Gaming consoles
- Cell phones and smartphones
- Keyboards, mice, cables
- DVD/Blu-ray players
- Small electronics
No appointment needed - simply bring items during operating hours.
Retailer Take-Back Programs
Many retailers offer free electronics recycling:
- Best Buy: Accepts most electronics (limit 3 items per day)
- Staples: Accepts computers, monitors, printers (free for members)
- Apple: Free recycling for Apple products at Apple Stores
Holiday Collection Schedule
Philadelphia observes 6 major holidays with adjusted trash and recycling collection:
Holidays Observed:
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (First Monday in September)
- Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
Collection Delay: When a holiday falls on a weekday, all collections scheduled for that day and the rest of the week are delayed by one day.
Example: If your normal trash day is Thursday and Thanksgiving is Thursday, your collection will occur on Friday that week.
⚠️ No Delay for Weekends: If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no collection delay.
Recycling Guidelines
Philadelphia's recycling program accepts a wide variety of materials. Proper recycling reduces contamination and helps the city meet diversion goals.
What to Recycle
Paper & Cardboard:
- ✅ Newspapers, magazines, catalogs
- ✅ Office paper, junk mail, envelopes
- ✅ Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- ✅ Paperboard (cereal boxes, etc.)
- ❌ Soiled paper or cardboard (pizza boxes with grease)
- ❌ Shredded paper
Plastic:
- ✅ Bottles and jugs (#1, #2)
- ✅ Food containers (#1-7)
- ✅ Yogurt cups, deli containers
- ❌ Plastic bags (return to grocery stores)
- ❌ Styrofoam
- ❌ Plastic film or wrap
Glass:
- ✅ Bottles and jars (all colors)
- ❌ Window glass, mirrors
- ❌ Ceramics, dishes, drinking glasses
- ❌ Light bulbs (take to HHW events for CFLs)
Metal:
- ✅ Aluminum cans and foil
- ✅ Steel/tin cans
- ✅ Empty aerosol cans
- ❌ Scrap metal (take to Sanitation Convenience Centers)
Recycling Rules
🚫 NO BAGS: All recyclables must be loose in bins or bundled (cardboard). Bagged recyclables will NOT be collected.
🧼 RINSE CONTAINERS: Empty and rinse all bottles, cans, and containers. No need to remove labels.
📦 FLATTEN BOXES: Break down cardboard boxes to save space.
📋 WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT: If you're unsure whether something is recyclable, put it in the trash to avoid contaminating the recycling stream.
Yard Waste Disposal
Philadelphia residents have multiple options for disposing of yard waste.
Sanitation Convenience Centers
All 6 centers accept yard waste year-round during operating hours (Mon-Sat 8am-6pm):
- Leaves and grass clippings
- Branches and twigs (bundled, max 4 feet long)
- Plant trimmings and garden waste
- Christmas trees (January only)
No bags required - loose material is accepted.
Curbside Leaf Collection (Fall Only)
Philadelphia provides free curbside leaf collection during fall:
- Typically runs mid-October through mid-December
- Place leaves in kraft paper bags or open containers (no plastic bags)
- Set out on your regular trash day
- Visit phila.gov/leaf-collection for current schedule
What NOT to Put in Trash or Recycling
⚠️ Prohibited Items (Use proper disposal methods):
❌ Household Hazardous Waste → Take to HHW collection events
- Paint, chemicals, pesticides, automotive fluids
❌ Electronics → Take to Sanitation Convenience Centers or retailers
- TVs, computers, monitors, printers
❌ Batteries → Take to HHW events or retail drop-off
- Car batteries, rechargeable batteries, lithium batteries
❌ Medical Sharps → Use sharps drop boxes at pharmacies
- Needles, syringes, lancets
❌ Medications → Use pharmacy take-back programs or DEA events
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications
❌ Construction Debris → Hire private hauler or rent dumpster
- Drywall, lumber, concrete, shingles (large quantities)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What do I do if my trash or recycling wasn't picked up?
Report a missed collection:
- Online: www.phila.gov/services/streets-sidewalks-alleys/trash-recycling/report-a-missed-collection
- Phone: Call 311
- Mobile: Use Philly311 app
The Streets Department will investigate and collect within 24-48 hours if the complaint is valid.
2. Can I get an extra recycling or trash container?
Yes, residents can request additional containers:
- Call 311 to request a new or replacement bin
- Specify the size needed (32-gallon or 64-gallon)
- Delivery typically within 1-2 weeks
- FREE for Philadelphia residents
3. How do I dispose of latex (water-based) paint?
Latex paint is NOT hazardous and should NOT be taken to HHW events.
Disposal method:
- Dry it out: Remove lid and let paint air-dry completely, or mix with cat litter/sawdust
- Trash it: Once completely dry and solid, place the can in your regular trash
Only oil-based paints go to HHW collection events.
4. Where can I drop off sharps (needles/syringes)?
Sharps (needles, syringes, lancets) are NOT accepted at Sanitation Convenience Centers or HHW events.
Safe disposal options:
- Pharmacy drop boxes: Many CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid locations have sharps drop boxes
- Sharps mail-back programs: Purchase mail-back containers from pharmacies
- Philadelphia Health Department: www.phila.gov/health/sharps
NEVER place loose sharps in trash or recycling bins.
5. Can I recycle plastic bags?
NO - Plastic bags are NOT accepted in Philadelphia's curbside recycling.
Where to recycle plastic bags:
- Return to grocery stores (most have collection bins near the entrance)
- Participating retailers: Giant, ShopRite, Whole Foods, Target, Walmart
Accepted at stores:
- Grocery bags, bread bags, produce bags
- Newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags
- Ziploc bags (clean and dry)
- Plastic shipping materials (bubble wrap, air pillows)
Quick Disposal Reference Table
| Item | Regular Trash | Recycling | Sanitation Center | HHW Event | Other | |------|---------------|-----------|-------------------|-----------|-------| | Household trash (bagged) | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Cardboard boxes | ❌ | ✅ (flattened) | ✅ | ❌ | - | | Plastic bottles | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Glass bottles/jars | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Aluminum/tin cans | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | - | | Furniture | ❌ (bulky pickup) | ❌ | ✅ (2 items/day) | ❌ | - | | Appliances | ❌ (bulky pickup) | ❌ | ✅ (2 items/day) | ❌ | - | | Electronics | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Best Buy, Staples | | Oil-based paint | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | - | | Latex paint (dried) | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Dry first | | Batteries (household) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | Some stores | | Car batteries | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | Auto parts stores | | Yard waste | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Fall leaf collection | | Sharps/needles | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Pharmacy drop boxes | | Medications | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Pharmacy take-back | | Plastic bags | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Grocery store bins |
Official Philadelphia Resources
🏛️ Philadelphia Streets Department:
- Website: www.phila.gov/streets
- General info: www.phila.gov/services/streets-sidewalks-alleys/trash-recycling
📅 Collection Schedule Finder:
☎️ 311 (Phone & Online):
- Call: Dial 311 from any Philadelphia number
- Outside Philly: (215) 686-8686
- Online: www.phila.gov/311
- App: Download "Philly311" (iOS/Android)
📱 Philly311 Mobile App:
- iOS: Apple App Store
- Android: Google Play Store
🗑️ Sanitation Convenience Centers:
- Locations & hours: www.phila.gov/sanitation-convenience-centers
☣️ Household Hazardous Waste Events:
- 2025 schedule: www.phila.gov/household-hazardous-waste
♻️ Recycling Information:
- What to recycle: www.phila.gov/recycling
🍂 Leaf Collection:
- Fall schedule: www.phila.gov/leaf-collection
📋 Bulky Item Pickup:
- Schedule pickup: www.phila.gov/bulk-trash
About This Guide: This Philadelphia resident waste guide is updated for 2025 based on current Streets Department policies and City of Philadelphia regulations. Policies may change - always verify current information on official phila.gov websites or by calling 311.
Last Updated: January 2025 Sources: Philadelphia Streets Department, phila.gov official resources, Sanitation Convenience Centers, HHW event schedules, Philly311 service portal.