The city of Philadelphia currently offers curbside single-stream recycling for residents. (Single family households and multi-family dwellings up to 6 units are all eligible for curbside pick up.)

Recyclables can be placed curbside on trash day in any rigid, reusable container like a bucket, bin, or city issued recycling can. Your bin should be clearly marked with your address and the word “recycling” or the recycling symbol. Bags and boxes are not acceptable recycling containers.

The following items are acceptable for pick-up:

Metals: aluminum & steel cans, empty aerosol cans, empty paint cans, Aluminum foil, baking tins, bottle caps

Glass: bottles, jars

Mixed Paper: newspaper, magazines, food boxes (remove plastic liners), junk mail, computer paper, wrapping paper, beverage containers (cleaned, non-waxed), books (hard and soft cover), computer paper, soda and beer containers (six-pack cases), detergent boxes, ice cream cartons

Cardboard: flattened boxes, pizza boxes (grease-free)

Plastics: #1-#7 (look at the number inside the recycling arrows on the bottom of the container)
#1-soda, juice, and water bottles
#2-milk jugs, shampoo bottles, laundry detergent containers
#3-rigid plastic containers, juice bottles (jugs)
#4-butter & margarine containers and lids
#5-yogurt cups, deli trays
#6-plastic cups, plates, clear to-go containers
#7-mixed plastic containers and products

The city does NOT currently accept light bulbs, window glass, wood, PVC pipes, tissues, plastic bags, paper towels, napkins, wax-coated cups or plates, coffee cup lids, straws, plastic utensils, soiled food boxes, six-pack rings, pots and pans, Styrofoam, packing inserts (“peanuts”), electronics, CDs/DVDs, batteries, clothes hangers, toothbrushes, or deodorant sticks.

For more information, visit the Streets Department and RecycleNOW Philadelphia.  (Please note that there are some discrepancies between the sites regarding what the city currently accepts.  If you have questions, it’s always best to make a phone call and double check.)