What To put out at the curb

Single Stream Recycling

As of early July 2008, the City of Philadelphia now has citywide single stream recycling. Single stream recycling means that all recyclables can be put in the same container, including plastics and cardboard. The following materials are collected under the single stream program:

• Metal: Tin and aluminum cans, empty aerosol cans, empty paint cans and lids.
• Glass: Jars and bottles
• Mixed Paper: Newspaper, magazines, mail (junk and personal), phone books, food boxes (remove plastic liner), computer paper, flyers, wrapping paper (no foil or plastic wrap), soda and beer cartons (No food-soiled paper, please!)
• Plastic Containers: #1 and #2 ONLY; narrow neck containers with wide bottoms ONLY (such as water, milk, juice, soda, laundry detergent or bath product bottles)
• Cardboard: Empty and flattened

Download RecycleNOW's handy zero sort recycling guide here. This one-page flyer will show you exactly what you can and can't recycle in Philadelphia. Print it out and stick it on your fridge for easy reference.

And don't forget: Items that may still have use—like clothing, old electronics and housewares—can be donated to organizations like The Salvation Army, Goodwill and Second Mile.

Or you can check out PhillyFreecycle.org, an online materials exchange aimed at keeping materials out of landfills.