Did you know you can get FINED for using a paper bag for recycling?

SWEEP, Streets & Walkways Education and Enforcement Program, educates citizens about their responsibilities for the Philadelphia Streets Sanitation Code. But they also enforce the rules through warnings and fines for trash and recycling violations.

Irony alert: Last week, I received a recycling violation notice on my door. Picture this: I live on a corner intersection, with one street a dead end. About 6-7 neighbors place their recycling and trash outside of my front door each week. But every week, people will pile boxes, throw recycling in paper bags (right before snow/rain), put trash out too soon, and neglect to pick up the remains of litter after trash day.

A SWEEP officer noticed the debris, like a trash can vomited on our corner right after the city collection came through. Because my door is closest to this area, my door received the fine…

So how can you avoid the fate of a $50- $100 (or more) fine? Here are the rules for Philadelphia trash & recycling days.

Proper Containers for Recycling & Trash

Recycling containers must be sturdy plastic or metal containers that hold 32 gallons or less, marked with the words “Recycling” on the side. Philadelphia gives FREE recycling bins to residents.

Cardboard boxes, paper bags or plastic bags can NOT be solely used for recycling containers.

Trash must be placed in metal or non-corrodible bins in 40-pounds or less, or sealed plastic bags.

You cannot use cardboard boxes as trash cans either.

*Cardboard boxes: If you’re recycling cardboard boxes, you can’t just pile them curbside, either. Make sure to flatten cardboard boxes, bind them together OR put them in a recycling bin.

7 Tips to Correctly Set out your Trash and Recycling

1. Find out your trash & recycling day on the Streets Department website.
2. October – March, you can set out your trash & recycling from 5 PM night before to 7 AM the day of collections. April – September, times allowed are 7 PM – 7 AM.
3. E-waste must be recycled (It’s a PA law.)
4. Hazardous waste must be disposed of properly. Find out when events are on the Streets Department website.
5. No Plastic Bags In Your Recycling Bin. Repeat: NO PLASTIC BAGS IN THE RECYCLING BIN.
6. No bulk furniture (i.e. refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, etc) can be dumped via the curb.
7. Grass trimmings / yard waste should be composted.

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher