Last updated: June 2026 | Reviewed by Fran A., Editor-in-Chief
Philadelphia’s trash and recycling collection is managed by the City of Philadelphia Streets Department — and like most large American cities, your pickup day depends entirely on which zone your address falls in. Two houses on the same block can have different collection days depending on which side of the street they’re on.
This guide covers everything Philadelphia residents need to know about garbage collection in 2026: how to find your zone, what goes in each bin, the full holiday schedule, bulk item pickup, and what to do if your trash wasn’t collected.
⚠️ Important Note
Philadelphia garbage collection is managed by the City of Philadelphia Streets Department for most residential addresses. Some areas may use private haulers — particularly certain apartment complexes and commercial properties. If you’re unsure whether your address is on a city route, use the zone finder below or call 311.
Always verify your specific address at phila.gov/streets before relying on general neighborhood information.
How Philadelphia Trash Collection Works
Provider
City of Philadelphia Streets Department — Sanitation Division
The Streets Department manages residential garbage and recycling collection for the City of Philadelphia. It is one of the largest municipal sanitation operations on the East Coast, serving over 650,000 households across the city’s 10 sanitation districts.
Collection Days
Philadelphia residential garbage is collected once per week. Each address is assigned one specific day — Monday through Friday — based on its sanitation zone.
The Two-Bin System
Philadelphia operates a two-bin system for curbside collection:
| Bin Color | Contents | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Blue bin | Recycling (paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, glass) | Weekly |
| Green bin | Regular trash / landfill waste | Weekly |
Both bins are collected on the same day each week. Philadelphia has weekly recycling — unlike many other large cities that use bi-weekly programs, Philly collects your recycling every single week.
How to Find Your Philadelphia Garbage Collection Day
Method 1 – Philadelphia Zone Finder (Fastest)
URL: phila.gov/streets → “Find My Collection Day” or search “Philadelphia trash pickup day” at phila.gov
Enter your address to find:
- Your assigned collection day (Monday–Friday)
- Your sanitation district and zone
- Whether trash and recycling are collected on the same day (they are, for all Philly addresses)
This is the most reliable method. Zone boundaries in Philadelphia follow street segments and can vary block by block.
Method 2 – Philly311 App
Download the Philly311 app (iOS and Android) → tap “Find Services” → “Sanitation” → “My Collection Schedule.” Enter your address to see your pickup day and next scheduled dates.
Method 3 – Call 311
Dial 311 (Philadelphia residents). Tell the operator your address and ask for your garbage and recycling collection day. Operators confirm your schedule in under two minutes.
Method 4 – Philadelphia Sanitation Zone Map
The Streets Department publishes an interactive sanitation zone map at phila.gov/streets. You can view zone boundaries by neighborhood and cross-reference with the collection day calendar. This is particularly useful if you want to understand your area’s general schedule before looking up your specific address.
Philadelphia Sanitation Districts – Collection Day by District
Philadelphia is divided into 10 sanitation districts, each with multiple zones. The general collection day by district is:
| District | Neighborhoods (General) | Primary Collection Days |
|---|---|---|
| District 1 | Northeast Philadelphia | Mon, Tue, Wed |
| District 2 | Far Northeast | Tue, Wed, Thu |
| District 3 | North Philadelphia | Mon, Tue, Wed |
| District 4 | Northwest Philadelphia | Wed, Thu, Fri |
| District 5 | West Philadelphia | Mon, Tue |
| District 6 | Southwest Philadelphia | Wed, Thu |
| District 7 | South Philadelphia | Mon, Tue, Wed |
| District 8 | Center City / Lower North | Mon, Tue, Thu |
| District 9 | Germantown / Chestnut Hill | Thu, Fri |
| District 10 | Roxborough / Manayunk | Thu, Fri |
Important: These are general ranges — your specific block may differ. Always confirm your exact day using the zone finder at phila.gov/streets.
Philadelphia Recycling – What Goes in the Blue Bin
Philadelphia uses single-stream recycling — everything recyclable goes in one blue bin, unsorted. Recycling is collected every week on the same day as your trash.
Accepted in the Blue Bin
Paper and cardboard: Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, office paper, junk mail, paper bags, flattened cardboard boxes, paperboard (cereal boxes, toilet paper rolls), paper egg cartons, shredded paper (place in a sealed paper bag).
Plastics: All rigid plastic containers labeled #1 through #7 — bottles, jugs, tubs, and wide-mouth containers. Must be empty and rinsed. Leave caps and lids on.
Metals: Aluminum cans, steel and tin cans, empty aerosol cans, clean aluminum foil (balled up), metal food lids.
Glass: Glass bottles and jars in all colors. Rinse before recycling.
NOT Accepted in the Blue Bin
- Plastic bags and film (take to grocery store drop-offs)
- Styrofoam / expanded polystyrene in any form
- Greasy or food-soiled containers (pizza boxes with grease)
- Wax-coated cardboard or boxes with food residue
- Mirrors, window glass, light bulbs, ceramics, or dishware
- Electronics, batteries, or cables
- Clothing, textiles, or shoes
- Hoses, garden tools, or metal hardware items
Philadelphia tip: Philly’s recycling program accepts shredded paper if you put it inside a sealed paper bag or envelope before placing it in the bin. Loose shredded paper blows away and jams sorting equipment.
Philadelphia Trash Rules – What You Need to Know
When to Put Bins Out
Philadelphia residents may set bins at the curb no earlier than 7:00 PM the evening before collection day. Bins must be out by 7:00 AM on collection day — the earliest trucks start their routes.
Bins must be brought back in by 9:00 PM on your collection day. Leaving bins on the sidewalk overnight after collection is a violation.
Bin Placement Rules
- Bins must be placed at the curb, not in the middle of the pavement
- At least 18 inches of clearance on all sides for the automated arm
- Handle facing your property, lid opening facing the street
- Do not place bins in front of fire hydrants, access ramps, or bus stops
- Green and blue bins must be kept separate — do not nest them
Bin Size Options
The Streets Department provides 64-gallon bins as standard for most households. Households with more than 6 residents or documented special needs can request a 96-gallon bin. Contact the Streets Department at phila.gov/streets or call 311 to request a size change.
What Cannot Go in the Green Trash Bin
- Electronics — illegal to trash in Pennsylvania under state e-waste law
- Hazardous materials — paint, chemicals, motor oil, batteries, propane, pool chemicals
- Medical waste and sharps — use designated sharps disposal programs
- Construction and demolition debris — requires private hauler or special permit
- Tires — take to designated tire recyclers
- Hot ashes — must be completely cold before disposal
- Recyclables — always use the blue bin for accepted materials
Philadelphia Holiday Garbage Collection Schedule 2026
The Philadelphia Streets Department observes ten federal holidays for residential collection. On each observed holiday, all routes for the rest of that week shift forward by one day.
2026 Philadelphia Holiday Collection Schedule
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Day | Effect on Collection |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | Thursday | Thu + Fri routes delayed one day |
| MLK Day | January 19 | Monday | All week routes delayed one day |
| Presidents’ Day | February 16 | Monday | All week routes delayed one day |
| Memorial Day | May 25 | Monday | All week routes delayed one day |
| Independence Day | July 4 | Saturday | Fri Jul 3 observed — Fri routes delayed |
| Labor Day | September 7 | Monday | All week routes delayed one day |
| Columbus Day | October 12 | Monday | All week routes delayed one day |
| Veterans Day | November 11 | Wednesday | Wed + Thu + Fri routes delayed one day |
| Thanksgiving | November 26 | Thursday | Thu + Fri routes delayed one day |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Friday | Fri routes delayed to Saturday |
Note: Philadelphia observes Columbus Day and Veterans Day for sanitation — unlike many other large cities that skip those holidays. If you’ve moved to Philly from LA, Houston, or Dallas, don’t assume those weeks run normally — they don’t in Philadelphia.
The one-day delay rule: When a holiday falls on or before your collection day that week, your pickup shifts forward by one day. If the holiday falls after your collection day, your schedule is unaffected.
Example: Your pickup is Wednesday. Presidents’ Day is Monday. → Your Wednesday pickup moves to Thursday that week.
Example: Your pickup is Monday. Veterans Day is Wednesday. → Your Monday pickup runs normally — the holiday falls after your day.
👉 Related: Holiday Week Trash Schedule 2026 – All Changes in One Place 👉 Related: Is Trash Pickup Delayed on Christmas Day 2026? 👉 Related: Thanksgiving Garbage Collection 2026
Philadelphia Bulk Item and Large Trash Pickup
Citywide Cleanup Days
Philadelphia’s Streets Department runs Citywide Cleanup events and neighborhood-specific bulk pickup programs throughout the year. These are in addition to the standard curbside collection.
How to Schedule Bulk Item Pickup in Philadelphia
Online: phila.gov/streets → “Schedule a Bulky Waste Collection” App: Philly311 → “Request a Service” → “Bulky Item Pickup” Call: 311
Philadelphia residents can schedule free curbside bulk item pickup for large items that don’t fit in the standard green bin.
What Philadelphia Streets Accepts for Bulk Pickup
- Furniture: sofas, chairs, tables, beds, dressers, bookshelves
- Mattresses and box springs
- Large appliances: refrigerators (Freon must be removed), washers, dryers, stoves, water heaters
- Air conditioners and dehumidifiers
- Rugs and carpeting (cut into manageable rolls)
- Exercise equipment
What Is NOT Accepted for Bulk Pickup
- Electronics — use separate e-waste programs
- Tires — take to approved tire recyclers
- Construction debris — drywall, concrete, lumber
- Hazardous materials or chemicals
- Medical equipment
Philadelphia Mattress Recycling
Pennsylvania’s mattress recycling program allows free curbside pickup for old mattresses when you schedule through the Streets Department. Alternatively, use certified mattress recyclers at mattressrecyclingcouncil.org.
👉 Related: Bulk Trash Pickup – How to Schedule Large Item Collection in Your City
Hazardous Waste Disposal in Philadelphia
Philadelphia residents can dispose of hazardous household materials at free drop-off events organized by the Philadelphia Streets Department and the Philadelphia Water Department throughout the year.
Accepted at Philly HHW Events
- Latex and oil-based paint (most in-demand item)
- Pesticides, herbicides, insecticides
- Motor oil, antifreeze, brake and transmission fluid
- All battery types including car batteries
- Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs
- Propane tanks and gas cylinders
- Household cleaning chemicals
- Pool chemicals
How to Find HHW Events in Philadelphia
Check the Streets Department event calendar at phila.gov/streets → “Household Hazardous Waste” for 2026 event dates and locations. Events typically take place at recreation centers and community sites across the city on weekend mornings.
Paint drop-off: PaintCare accepts paint year-round at participating hardware stores and retailers in Pennsylvania. Find locations at paintcare.org.
E-Waste Recycling in Philadelphia
Pennsylvania law prohibits disposing of covered electronic devices in the regular trash. The following items cannot go in the green bin:
- Televisions (all types)
- Desktop and laptop computers
- Monitors
- Printers, scanners, and fax machines
- Tablets and e-readers
- Video game consoles
Where to Recycle E-Waste in Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Streets Department e-waste events — scheduled throughout the year at phila.gov/streets
- Best Buy — accepts most electronics at any store location
- Staples — accepts computers, monitors, and some electronics
- Manufacturer take-back programs — Apple, Dell, HP, and others offer mail-in or drop-off recycling
- Free Geek Philadelphia — accepts working and non-working electronics for refurbishment or recycling
Christmas Tree Pickup in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Streets Department collects live Christmas trees curbside as part of its holiday waste program, typically from late December through mid-January.
How to prepare your tree:
- Remove all decorations, lights, tinsel, garland, and stands completely
- Do not place the tree in a plastic bag
- Place it at the curb next to your bins on your regular collection day
- Trees up to 6 feet are accepted for standard curbside pickup; larger trees should be cut in half
Philadelphia also operates Christmas tree chipping events at parks across the city during the collection period, where trees are chipped into free mulch on-site.
Check phila.gov/streets for the exact 2026–2027 Christmas tree collection dates.
How to Report a Missed Pickup in Philadelphia
Method 1 – Online: phila.gov/311 → “Report” → “Sanitation” → “Missed Collection” Method 2 – Philly311 App: “Report a Problem” → “Missed Collection” Method 3 – Call: 311
The Streets Department typically dispatches a return crew within 2–3 business days of a verified report.
Before reporting, confirm:
- Your bin was at the curb before 7:00 AM on collection day
- The lid was fully closed with no obstructions
- No holiday shifted your schedule that week
- You have the correct bin out (green for trash, blue for recycling — both go out the same day)
👉 Related: How to Report a Missed Trash Pickup – Step-by-Step by City 👉 Related: Why Was My Trash Not Picked Up? 7 Common Reasons
Philadelphia Sanitation Fines and Violations
The Streets Department enforces Philadelphia’s sanitation code through regular inspections. Common violations and their fine ranges as of 2026:
| Violation | Fine Range |
|---|---|
| Trash set out too early (before 7:00 PM prior day) | $50–$300 |
| Bins not removed from curb by 9:00 PM on collection day | $50–$150 |
| Recyclables not separated from trash | $50–$300 |
| Illegal dumping (large items without scheduling) | $150–$2,000 |
| Improper disposal of hazardous materials | $500–$10,000 |
| Disposing of electronics in the trash | $100–$1,000 |
| Overflowing bins or lid not closed | $25–$100 |
Violations are issued by Streets Department enforcement officers who patrol city streets. Repeat violations receive higher fines and can result in formal citations.
👉 Related: What Is the Fine for Putting Trash Out Too Early?
Renter vs. Landlord – Who Is Responsible for Trash in Philadelphia?
In Philadelphia, landlords are responsible for ensuring that adequate waste containers are provided at rental properties and that waste service is properly set up. However, the day-to-day responsibility for putting bins out and bringing them in falls on tenants in most standard lease agreements.
Key points for renters:
- If bins are missing or damaged at your rental property, contact your landlord first
- If the landlord does not respond, contact 311 — the Streets Department can intervene
- Trash violations issued at a property typically go to the property owner, not the tenant
- If you’re unsure who handles your trash (city or private hauler), check your lease or ask your landlord
👉 Related: Renter vs Landlord: Who Is Responsible for Trash Pickup?
Frequently Asked Questions – Philadelphia Garbage Collection 2026
What day is garbage collection in Philadelphia?
Your garbage collection day in Philadelphia depends on your specific address and sanitation zone. Find your day using the zone finder at phila.gov/streets or by calling 311. Both trash and recycling are collected on the same day in Philadelphia.
Is recycling collected every week in Philadelphia?
Yes. Unlike many other large U.S. cities, Philadelphia collects recycling every week — on the same day as your regular trash. Both the green bin (trash) and blue bin (recycling) go out on the same day.
Does Philadelphia collect trash on holidays?
Yes, on ten federal holidays: New Year’s Day, MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. On observed holidays, all routes shift one day forward for the rest of the week. Juneteenth is the only major federal holiday Philadelphia does not observe for sanitation.
How do I find my Philadelphia sanitation zone?
Go to phila.gov/streets and use the “Find My Collection Day” tool. Enter your address and your zone and pickup day will appear. You can also call 311 for a direct answer.
How do I schedule a bulky item pickup in Philadelphia?
Go to phila.gov/streets or use the Philly311 app to schedule a free curbside bulky item pickup. You can also call 311. Schedule before placing items at the curb to avoid a dumping violation.
What happens if I miss my trash pickup day in Philadelphia?
If your bin was out on time but wasn’t collected, wait 24 hours then report it through phila.gov/311 or the Philly311 app. The Streets Department typically returns within 2–3 business days. If you forgot to put your bin out, wait until your next regular pickup day.
What cannot go in Philadelphia’s blue recycling bin?
Plastic bags, Styrofoam, greasy containers, electronics, batteries, clothing, mirrors, and window glass cannot go in the blue bin. Philadelphia accepts shredded paper if placed inside a sealed paper bag. For a full list, check phila.gov/streets.
Key Contacts and Resources
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| Streets Department website | phila.gov/streets |
| Find my collection day | phila.gov/streets → “Find My Collection Day” |
| Philly311 app | Available on iOS and Android |
| Report missed pickup | phila.gov/311 or call 311 |
| Schedule bulky item pickup | phila.gov/streets or call 311 |
| Household hazardous waste | phila.gov/streets → “HHW Events” |
| Streets Department general info | 311 |
Related City Guides
- Trash Pickup Schedule in New York City, NY – 2026 Guide
- Los Angeles Trash Collection Calendar 2026
- Chicago Garbage Pickup Days by District – Full 2026 Schedule
- Washington DC Trash Pickup Days 2026
- Baltimore Trash Collection Schedule 2026
Related Guides
- Holiday Week Trash Schedule 2026 – All Changes in One Place
- Is Trash Pickup Delayed on Christmas Day 2026?
- Thanksgiving Garbage Collection 2026
- Renter vs Landlord: Who Is Responsible for Trash Pickup?
- How to Report a Missed Trash Pickup – Step-by-Step by City
- Bulk Trash Pickup – How to Schedule Large Item Collection in Your City
- Complete U.S. Trash Pickup Guide 2026 – Everything You Need to Know
This page is reviewed and updated annually. Last review: June 2026. Schedule information is based on publicly available Philadelphia Streets Department data. For the most accurate pickup days for your specific address, always verify at phila.gov/streets.
Written and maintained by Fran A., Founder & Editor-in-Chief — trashpickupscheduleday.com
