Philadelphia Trash, Recycling, Bulk & HHW Schedule (2025)
Everything you need for Philadelphia, PA: set-out times (seasonal), weekly trash and recycling, twice-a-week pilot areas, bulk pickup by appointment (4 items), holiday delays, drop-off centers, HHW events, and how to report a missed collection.
Set-out Time
Apr–Sep: set out 7 p.m.–7 a.m. Oct–Mar: 5 p.m.–7 a.m. Keep lids closed and pathways clear.
Frequencies
Trash & recycling: **weekly** citywide (with possible delays during strikes or major events).
Bulk
Appointment-based service: up to 4 items per request; eligible for 1–6 unit residential buildings.
📍 Address Lookup — Official
Find your trash and recycling collection day, holiday adjustments, and service alerts using the official City tool.
Open: Find Your Trash & Recycling Day
🗓️ Set-out Times & Weekly Service
- Set-out (Apr 1–Sep 30): between 7:00 p.m. the night before and 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
- Set-out (Oct 1–Mar 31): between 5:00 p.m. the night before and 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
- Place containers in front of your property, lids closed, without blocking sidewalks or vehicles.
- Standard frequency: **weekly** trash and recycling pickup. Always verify your address in the lookup tool.
- Delays: follow notices from the Sanitation Department (strikes or weather may affect service).
🗑️ Twice-a-Week Trash (Center City & South Philly)
- In pilot zones, there are **2 trash collections per week**. **Recycling remains once per week** and is collected on the **first trash day** of the week.
- No second collection on **holiday weeks**.
- Check if your address falls within the program area and which days apply.
♻️ Recycling — What Goes Where
Accepted
- Paper and cardboard (flattened)
- Glass bottles and jars
- Metal cans, trays, aluminum
- Rigid plastics (bottles, jugs, tubs)
- Cartons (milk, juice, soup)
Keep OUT
- Plastic bags or film
- Hazardous or electronic waste
- Food, liquids, foam packaging
- Propane tanks, batteries, debris
📦 Bulk & Large Items (by appointment)
- Up to 4 items per appointment (furniture, bagged mattresses, appliances — remove refrigerator doors).
- Valid for **1–6 unit** residential properties (larger buildings must use private haulers).
- Tires: passenger vehicles only, **no rims**.
🏗️ Convenience Centers & HHW Events
Sanitation Convenience Centers (6): open Mon–Sat, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (closed on City holidays). Accept oversized items, yard waste, recyclables, and more.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) — 2025
Events run **9 a.m.–3 p.m.** at various locations (no registration required). View current dates and sites:
🎉 Holiday Schedule
On **City holidays** there is no collection, and service is delayed **one day** for the rest of the week. Check the list of holidays and verify your address.
🚚 Missed Pickup — Report It
- Check set-out times and rules above, and confirm your schedule in the lookup tool.
- If it’s past **7 p.m.** on your scheduled day, report it to **311** (or from outside the city: **215-686-8686**) and keep containers accessible.
🔗 Data Sources