City of Philadelphia

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Zero Waste Initiatives archives

The City of Philadelphia’s Zero Waste Initiatives engaged residents, businesses, institutions, and City departments in reducing waste and diverting it away from the landfill to meet the City’s long-term zero waste goal. These initiatives started in 2017 with the first Zero Waste and Litter Action Plan and concluded in 2024.

These Zero Waste Initiatives were led by the former Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet. This archive contains materials from the following programs and collaborations:

  • Municipal Building Waste Audit.
  • Zero Waste Partnership.
  • Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Food Matters Regional Initiative.
  • Litter Index.
  • GovLabPHL behavioral science studies.

To learn about the City’s ongoing work to address waste issues like litter and illegal dumping, visit the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives.

Name Description Released Format
Name: 2019 Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet progress report PDF Description: An overview of the 2019 programs, policies, and initiatives that bring us closer to a Zero Waste and litter-free city. Released: January 9, 2020 Format:
Name: 2018 Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet progress report PDF Description: An overview of the 2018 programs, policies, and initiatives that bring us closer to a Zero Waste and litter-free city. Released: August 21, 2019 Format:
Name: 2017 Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet progress report PDF Description: An overview of the 2017 programs, policies, and initiatives that bring us closer to a Zero Waste and litter-free city. Released: August 21, 2019 Format:
Name: 2017 Zero Waste and Litter Action Plan PDF Description: By reaching the Zero Waste goals set in this plan, Philadelphia can move toward the Greenworks vision of becoming a sustainable city for all. Released: August 21, 2019 Format:
Name: Building waste generation calculator tool xlsx Description: A worksheet that estimates how much waste your facility generates monthly. Released: January 31, 2019 Format:
Name: 2019 Litter Index Report PDF Description: Learn about the Litter Index and how it is being used throughout Philadelphia. Released: August 21, 2019 Format:
Name: Trash receptacle placement report PDF Description: This study examined how increasing or decreasing the number of public trash receptacles impacts trash collected from within remaining receptacles, trash collected as litter, staff hours spent picking up litter, and the litter index for the area. Released: September 26, 2018 Format:
Name: Recycling bin distribution report PDF Description: This study examined how recycling bin distribution with lids influences tonnage (weight) of recycling from residences and littering in the neighborhood. Released: September 26, 2018 Format:
Name: Zero Waste Guide for foodservice establishments PDF Description: How to implement zero waste practices at a restaurant or foodservice establishment, in compliance with City health codes and regulations. Released: August 25, 2021 Format:
Name: Food waste management for commercial properties – Two-pager PDF Description: A comprehensive guide for Philadelphia businesses describing how to reduce, donate, and dispose of grindable food waste. Released: August 11, 2021 Format:
Name: Food waste management for commercial properties – Palm card PDF Description: A quick-reference guide for Philadelphia businesses describing how to reduce, donate, and dispose of food waste. Released: August 11, 2021 Format:
Name: Produce storage tip sheet (Spanish) PDF Description: Information in Spanish about how to store fruits and vegetables to keep them fresh longer. Released: August 17, 2022 Format:
Name: Produce storage tip sheet (English) PDF Description: How to store fruits and vegetables to keep them fresh longer. Released: August 17, 2022 Format:
Name: Food freezing tip sheet (English) PDF Description: How to properly preserve foods by freezing them, plus tips on how to use up your frozen foods. Released: April 13, 2022 Format:
Name: Food freezing tip sheet (Spanish) PDF Description: Information in Spanish about how to properly preserve foods by freezing them, plus tips on how to use up your frozen foods. Released: April 13, 2022 Format:
Name: Know Before You Go meal planner (English) PDF Description: A worksheet with space to plan a week’s worth of meals and write down what groceries you’ll need. Released: April 13, 2022 Format:
Name: Know Before You Go meal planner (Spanish) PDF Description: A worksheet in Spanish with space to plan a week’s worth of meals and write down what groceries you’ll need. Released: April 13, 2022 Format:

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