Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Philadelphia
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday based on your neighborhood zone. Certain designated high-density areas receive a second weekly trash pickup.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week on your neighborhood's primary regular collection day.
Yard Waste
No weekly curbside pickup; yard waste can be dropped off year-round at City Sanitation Convenience Centers or set out during scheduled seasonal fall leaf collection events.
Set Out Time
Between 5:00 PM (Oct 1–Mar 31) or 7:00 PM (Apr 1–Sep 30) the night before, and by 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and recycling services for single-family homes and residential buildings with six or fewer units are funded through City real estate taxes, so there is no separate utility bill for trash collection.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Owner-occupied residential properties are exempt from commercial trash fees. Eligible homeowners and seniors can apply for property tax relief programs such as the Homestead Exemption and the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze.
Any standard color Bin (Trash)
Maximum of 4 cans (up to 32 gallons each) or 8 substantial, leak-proof bags (up to 40 pounds each) per week. Must be placed curbside according to the city's seasonal set-out times.
Accepted Items
- ✓Regular household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small non-hazardous household items
Any color hard bin labeled 'RECYCLE' or City Blue Bin Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables. Place items loosely in a sturdy, labeled container. Flatten all cardboard. Keep out all tanglers and food-soiled paper.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic #1 and #2 bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper and mail
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Hoses and tanglers
- ✕Cassette tapes
- ✕Light bulbs
- ✕Shredded paper
Yard Waste Bin
Can be set out as regular trash subject to the standard weekly bag limits, or brought to a Sanitation Convenience Center in paper bags on Saturdays. The city also hosts special bagged leaf events in late fall.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Garden residues
- ✓Small brush and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (collected alongside regular household trash)
Placement
Place bulk items curbside next to your regular trash according to the seasonal set-out window (either 5:00 PM or 7:00 PM). Unbagged mattresses will be rejected.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and large chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be bagged in plastic)
- ✓ Dressers and large furniture
- ✓ Large cardboard boxes
Not Accepted
- ✕ Refrigerators with doors attached
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers, monitors)
- ✕ Construction debris (drywall, lumber, tile)
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
- ✕ Hazardous waste
Curbside bulk pickup is free for eligible residences. Commercial properties or apartment buildings with 7+ units must hire private haulers. Alternatively, residents can drop off 2 bulk items per day for free at a Convenience Center.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a city-observed holiday occurs during the workweek, residential trash and recycling pickups are delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday collections shift to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
All Sanitation Convenience Centers are completely closed on city-observed holidays, meaning no yard waste or bulk drop-offs can occur on those days.
Residents are encouraged to follow the Philadelphia Streets Department on social media or download the Philly311 app to receive exact push notifications regarding holiday schedule shifts.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall
November to DecemberThe Philadelphia Streets Department runs a specialized Bagged Leaf Collection program for several weeks in the late fall. Residents must place leaves in biodegradable brown paper bags (no plastic bags) for designated pickup or drop-off events across the city.
Winter
January to MarchTrash collection can be heavily impacted by severe winter storms or snow emergencies. If plows cannot navigate narrow city streets, pickup may be delayed. Always check the StreetSmartPHL platform or Philly311 for real-time weather delays and route completion status.
Summer
April to SeptemberThe summer set-out schedule requires most residents to wait until 7:00 PM the night before their collection day to place trash on the curb. This ordinance helps mitigate pest problems, litter, and odors during the hottest months of the year.
Local Tips & Community Info
Philadelphia Trash Collection Schedule and Time Limits
Living in the City of Brotherly Love means following specific guidelines for curbside garbage pickup. The Philadelphia Department of Sanitation collects residential trash once a week. Your set-out times depend on the season. From October 1 through March 31, you can place your bins out between 5:00 PM the night before and 7:00 AM on your collection day. During the warmer months, from April 1 to September 30, the set-out time shifts to between 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM. Residents in Center City have slightly different hours, typically starting later in the evening. Always ensure your containers are tightly covered.
Recycling Guidelines and Limits
Unlike regular trash, there are no weekly limits on the amount of recycling you can put out in Philly. You can use an official city recycling bin or any standard household container that is 32 gallons or smaller. Just make sure it weighs less than 40 pounds when full. Philadelphia accepts a variety of plastics, glass, aluminum, and paper products. Remember not to put recyclables inside plastic bags, as this can jam the sorting machines at the local facilities.
Bulk Waste Disposal and Large Items
If you are getting rid of big items like wooden furniture or plastic-wrapped mattresses, you can leave up to two of these large items on the curb during your regular trash day. However, for major appliances, metal furniture, or car tires, Philadelphia offers a specialized Bulk Collection service by appointment only. You can schedule this online through the city's official bulk collection portal, allowing up to four items per pickup. Alternatively, you can drop off bulky items and electronics at one of the several Sanitation Convenience Centers located across the city, such as the ones in Port Richmond or Strawberry Mansion.
Holiday Delays and Missed Pickups
When a city-observed holiday lands on a weekday, trash and recycling collections are typically pushed back by one day for the remainder of that week. For example, if Monday is a holiday, Monday's trash will be picked up on Tuesday, and Friday's trash will be collected on Saturday. If your properly placed bins were missed on your scheduled day, it is highly recommended to report the missed pickup by calling 311 or submitting a quick service request online through the Philly 311 system.
Yard Waste and Seasonal Leaf Collection
Maintaining your Philadelphia property often results in yard waste. Regular yard debris can be bagged and placed out alongside your standard weekly garbage. Just remember that each bag must not exceed 40 pounds. During the designated fall leaf season, the city provides mechanical leaf collection and specific bagged drop-off services to help manage the heavy volume of autumn leaves, turning them into compost rather than sending them to a landfill.
Drop-off Facilities
Strawberry Mansion Sanitation Convenience Center
2601 W. Glenwood Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19121
Materials Accepted
Southwest Philadelphia Sanitation Convenience Center
3033 S. 63rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19153
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bags of trash can I put out each week in Philadelphia?
For a single-family home in Philadelphia, you are permitted to set out up to four 32-gallon cans or eight sealed trash bags each week. Each container must not exceed 40 pounds in weight.
Where can I safely dispose of electronics and hazardous waste?
Electronics like TVs and computers, as well as hazardous household items like paint and motor oil, are not accepted curbside. They must be taken to a Philadelphia Sanitation Convenience Center or a scheduled household hazardous waste collection event.
Do I need to wrap my mattress before throwing it away?
Yes, the Department of Sanitation requires all mattresses and box springs to be completely wrapped and sealed in plastic mattress bags before placing them curbside. Unwrapped mattresses may result in fines and will not be collected.