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What Day Is Trash Pickup in Philadelphia, PA?

Updated November 2026

Quick Answer for Philadelphia

  • Trash day: Mondays, collected by Philadelphia Streets Department
  • Recycling: weekly on Mondays — no plastic bags, no styrofoam
  • Next holiday delay: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026)
  • Bulk pickup: request online — free, no limit

Trash pickup in Philadelphia is weekly on Mondays. Philadelphia Streets Department collects trash, recycling (weekly on Mondays), and yard waste (spring through fall). Bins out by 6:00 AM.

Quick Facts

Trash Provider

Philadelphia Streets Department

Municipal service

Contact

215-686-5560

Official website

Trash Pickup

Mondays (weekly)

Set out by 6:00 AM

Recycling Pickup

Mondays (weekly)

14 materials accepted

Pickup Schedule

Trash Collection

Once per week

Mondays

Recycling Collection

Weekly

Mondays

Yard Waste

Seasonal (spring through fall)

Thursdays

Schedules vary by neighborhood. Check with Philadelphia Streets Department for your exact pickup day.

Recycling Rules

Philadelphia accepts 14 materials for curbside recycling. No plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items.

Accepted

  • Cardboard (flattened)
  • Newspaper
  • Magazines & catalogs
  • Office paper & mail
  • Glass bottles & jars
  • Aluminum cans

NOT Accepted

  • Plastic bags & film
  • Styrofoam (EPS)
  • Paper coffee cups
  • Shredded paper
  • Batteries (household alkaline)
  • Electronics (e-waste)
Recycling rules for Philadelphia

Bulk Pickup

How to Schedule

Request online

Free Pickups Per Year

Unlimited (free)

Free for most items. Appliances need Freon removal ($).

Bulk pickup details for Philadelphia

Holiday Pickup Schedule

Federal holidays delay trash pickup in Philadelphia by one day. Next: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026).

New Year's DayJanuary 1, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. DayJanuary 19, 2026
Presidents' DayFebruary 16, 2026
Memorial DayMay 25, 2026
JuneteenthJune 19, 2026
Holiday schedule for Philadelphia

Composting in Philadelphia

AvailableCurbside pickup

Philadelphia offers curbside composting for organic waste. Check your hauler for green bin availability.

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash in Philadelphia.8 drop-off locations for household hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste drop-off in Philadelphia

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is trash pickup in Philadelphia?
Trash pickup in Philadelphia, PA is weekly on Mondays. Set out your bins by 6:00 AM. Philadelphia Streets Department handles residential waste collection. Recycling is collected weekly on Mondays.
Can I recycle pizza boxes in Philadelphia?
Yes — Clean portions are recyclable. Greasy sections can go in compost where available, otherwise trash. Many programs now accept the whole box. In Philadelphia, pizza boxes are accepted in curbside recycling.
How do I schedule bulk pickup in Philadelphia?
To schedule bulk pickup in Philadelphia, request online. Free for most items. Appliances need Freon removal ($).
Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in Philadelphia?
Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) affects trash pickup in Philadelphia. Pickup on this day and the rest of the week delayed by one day. Check with Philadelphia Streets Department for your specific route. Most federal holidays delay pickup by one day for the rest of the week.
What goes in the recycling bin in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia accepts 14 types of materials for curbside recycling, including cardboard, paper, glass bottles (check locally), aluminum and steel cans, and plastic #1, #2, and #5 containers. Do NOT put plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items in recycling. Rinse all containers before placing them in the bin.
Does Philadelphia have composting?
Yes, Philadelphia offers composting. Curbside composting is available — use your green bin for food scraps, yard waste, and food-soiled paper.
What do I do if they missed my trash pickup in Philadelphia?
If your trash was missed in Philadelphia, first confirm it was your scheduled pickup day and that bins were out by 6:00 AM. Then call Philadelphia Streets Department at 311 (or your hauler's direct line) to report the miss. Most cities require you to report within 24 hours. Keep your bins at the curb until the makeup collection, which is typically within 1-2 business days.
Where do I take hazardous waste in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has approximately 8 household hazardous waste drop-off locations. Items like paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash. Auto parts stores accept motor oil for free. Best Buy and Staples accept electronics. For everything else, use your city's HHW collection events or permanent facility.

Related Pages

Recycling Guide

What goes in the recycling bin in Philadelphia

Bulk Pickup

Schedule large item pickup

Holiday Schedule

When holidays delay pickup

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics disposal

More Philadelphia Resources

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Back to Philadelphia overviewAll trash & recycling guides

Pickup schedules and rules are based on published municipal data. Schedules vary by neighborhood and route. Always confirm with Philadelphia Streets Department for your specific address. This page is for informational purposes only.