Philadelphia residents can now trash bulk items curbside

Philadelphia residents can now throw away larger trash items curbside, which will be collected by the city’s sanitation department.

City officials recently announced a new Residential Bulk Collection Program to help residents dispose of larger trash items, such as furniture and appliances, which are not picked up during regular trash collection.  The program is part of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s One Philly, United City Cleaning Initiative.

“This initiative helps discourage illegal dumping and offers residents a convenient solution for getting rid of bulk items without having to transport them to a Sanitation Convenience Center,” said Carlton Williams, Director of the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives. “Thank you to the Parker Administration for acknowledging this essential quality of life issue and allocating funds for this critical initiative.”

City residents can schedule bulk item pickups for up to four items per appointment. The service is available to single-family homes and multi-family dwellings with up to six units. Larger apartment buildings, condominiums, and commercial properties are not eligible for the program.

Residents can schedule appointments through the Department of Sanitation’s website or by contacting 311. Appointments are limited and will be scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“This free service assists residents with inoperable bulk items in their homes and limited storage space,” said Crystal Jacobs-Shipman, Commissioner of the Department of Sanitation. “They can rely on the Department of Sanitation to pick up their bulk item from their regular trash collection site and properly dispose of them.”

Items eligible for collection include refrigerators (empty with doors removed), appliances (air conditioners, water heaters, microwaves), household furniture, large toys, flat-screen TVs and car tires (rims removed). Items not eligible for collection include household trash and mattresses, hazardous, flammable, or explosive materials, auto parts or construction or demolition debris.

The city will not enter homes to collect items, and residents are responsible for placing items in an accessible location. The Bulk Collection service is separate from regularly scheduled trash collection.

“Phase One of the One Philly, United City Cleaning Initiative successfully cleaned over 18,000 residential blocks, and I’m extremely proud of the work our Office of Clean and Green Initiatives has facilitated,” said Parker. “As we enter Phase Two, I want residents to know that we are addressing their concerns about ‘Filthadelphia’ at every turn.”

For more information or to schedule your appointment, visit the Department of Sanitation’s website at phila.gov/sanitation or call 311.