PHILADELPHIA – Due to increased tonnage and severe weather trash and recycling collections will begin one day behind for the week of Monday, July 13. This means residents who have Monday collections should set their materials out on Tuesday, July 14. Trash and recycling will be collected one day behind through Saturday, July 18.

The Streets Department has been challenged with maintaining trash and recycling collections on a consistent schedule as it continues to see an increase in tonnage curbside. The Department anticipated some delays upon returning to weekly recycling collections but this along with severe weather that brought heavy rains and major flooding has impacted our ability to complete on-time collections. In addition to the increased tonnage due to the pandemic, the week following the fourth of July has historically produced increased materials.

With more residents staying home during the pandemic, trash that is ordinarily generated and collected at businesses, restaurants, schools and offices is now being collected at the curb by the Department. This, along with the torrential rains of last week has resulted in collection delays. Although crews have been working throughout the weekend to catch up, some of Thursday and Friday’s materials still remain uncollected.

The Streets Department thanks residents for their patience and apologize for the inconvenience. We truly understand the unsightly look and smell that results when having trash and recycling remain on the ground. While delivering on-time collection services remains an essential core service, our crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to collect materials all across the city. The Streets Department thanks its employees for their dedication and commitment during these unprecedented times.