Philadelphia Recycling Guide & 2026 Calendar
Single-stream recycling pickup is listed for Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Item-specific answers appear below.
Philadelphia recycling calendar 2026
Regular collection days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Check the current holiday delay notice for changes to regular pickup.
A verified 2026 recycling calendar has not been provided. Get the official calendar and confirm your route.
Accepted & prohibited recycling
Accepted items
- Plastics (labeled #1, #2, #5): bottles, jugs, tubs, and jars (emptied and rinsed, caps on)
- Paper: newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, envelopes, office paper, and paper bags
- Cardboard: clean corrugated shipping boxes (flattened), egg cartons, and paper towel rolls
- Metals: aluminum, steel, and tin food/beverage cans, empty paint/aerosol cans, and baking dishes
- Glass: all glass food and beverage bottles and jars (emptied and rinsed)
Prohibited items
- Plastic bags, plastic film, and wraps (never bag recyclables; place loose in bin)
- Polystyrene foam, Styrofoam cups, and takeout clamshells
- Food waste, liquids, and grease-stained pizza boxes
- Tanglers: garden hoses, holiday lights, and electrical cords
- Clothing, textiles, footwear, and bedding
- Batteries and electronic waste
Can you recycle these items in Philadelphia?
Can you recycle cardboard in Philadelphia?
AcceptedFlatten boxes to save space in the recycling bin.
Can you recycle pizza boxes in Philadelphia?
Accepted with conditionsClean cardboard tops accepted; greasy bottoms belong in trash.
Can you recycle plastic #1 in Philadelphia?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse beverage bottles and food containers; caps on.
Can you recycle plastic #2 in Philadelphia?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse milk jugs and laundry detergent bottles; caps on.
Can you recycle plastic #3 in Philadelphia?
Not acceptedPlastics #3 belong in regular trash.
Can you recycle plastic #4 in Philadelphia?
Not acceptedPlastic shopping bags and films #4 are strictly prohibited in recycling bin.
Can you recycle plastic #5 in Philadelphia?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse clean yogurt cups, takeout tubs, and margarine tubs.
Can you recycle plastic #6 in Philadelphia?
Not acceptedStyrofoam and polystyrene #6 belong in regular trash.
Can you recycle plastic #7 in Philadelphia?
Not acceptedMixed plastic #7 belongs in regular trash.
Can you recycle glass in Philadelphia?
AcceptedGlass food jars and beverage bottles only; rinse clean.
Can you recycle aluminum in Philadelphia?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse aluminum drink cans and steel food cans.
Can you recycle shredded paper in Philadelphia?
Not acceptedShredded paper is prohibited in curbside recycling bin.
DPW & sanitation contact
City of Philadelphia Department of Sanitation · municipal dpw
Phone: Phone number not verified. Use the official portal.
1401 John F. Kennedy BlvdPhiladelphia, PA 19102
These collection rules cover Zone Curbside Collection Routes (Monday through Friday by Address).
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Philadelphia, PA?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out by 7:00 a.m.. These rules apply to Zone Curbside Collection Routes (Monday through Friday by Address).
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Philadelphia?
As of 2026-09-23: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone Curbside Collection Routes (Monday through Friday by Address).
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Philadelphia?
Up to two compactible furniture items per week on regular trash day; oversized non-compactible bulk items require scheduling an appointment with Sanitation or drop-off at a Convenience Center. The listed limit is 2 items per pickup. Advance notice is not required under the listed rules. Use the official sanitation portal to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone Curbside Collection Routes (Monday through Friday by Address).
What items are accepted for recycling in Philadelphia?
The listed accepted materials are Plastics (labeled #1, #2, #5): bottles, jugs, tubs, and jars (emptied and rinsed, caps on), Paper: newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, envelopes, office paper, and paper bags, Cardboard: clean corrugated shipping boxes (flattened), egg cartons, and paper towel rolls, Metals: aluminum, steel, and tin food/beverage cans, empty paint/aerosol cans, and baking dishes, Glass: all glass food and beverage bottles and jars (emptied and rinsed). Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags, plastic film, and wraps (never bag recyclables; place loose in bin), Polystyrene foam, Styrofoam cups, and takeout clamshells, Food waste, liquids, and grease-stained pizza boxes, Tanglers: garden hoses, holiday lights, and electrical cords, Clothing, textiles, footwear, and bedding, Batteries and electronic waste. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone Curbside Collection Routes (Monday through Friday by Address).