Philadelphia to begin twice-a-week trash pickup in effort to fight illegal dumping

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The city of Philadelphia is rolling out twice-a-week trash pickup as part of a plan to fight illegal dumping.

The program began Monday in most of South Philadelphia and Center City.

The areas that will be targeted are from Callowhill Street to Pattison Avenue, between the Schuylkill Expressway (30th Street) and Delaware Avenue.

The city says twice-a-week trash pickup will expand to more areas next fall.

Recycling services will remain once a week and there will be no second collections during a holiday week.

"The city has a giant street litter problem. Like, this is one of the trashiest cities I've ever lived in - as much as I love it - there's a lot of trash everywhere," said Jen Holman of Point Breeze.

City leaders unveiled the new plan, put on by the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives and the Department of Sanitation.

"We were very intentional about focusing on safe, clean and green and economic opportunity because this is what residents see touch and feel the most," said Mayor Cherelle Parker.

Residents within the new boundaries will be permitted to set out up to eight bags, four containers, and two household compactable items per collection.

Recycling services will remain once a week, with recyclables collected on the first trash day of the week only. There will be no second collections during a holiday week.

If your current trash day is Monday, your second will be Thursday. For Tuesdays the second day will be Friday, and for Wednesday it will be Saturday.

Phase 2 of the program will expand to more areas in fall 2025.