PHILADELPHIA, November 14, 2007 – In recognition of America Recycles Day (ARD), November 15th -- a day dedicated nationally to raise awareness of and involvement in recycling -- the City of Philadelphia Recycling Office announces the expansion of its innovative single stream residential recycling collection method to include South Philadelphia.

Beginning December 3, 2007, approximately 88,000 households located in South Philadelphia and Center City* will join 216,000 Northeast, Southwest and West Philadelphia residences in being able to set out all recyclables, including flattened cardboard and #1 and #2 plastic containers (generally beverage and detergent containers), into one container for curbside pickup.

“The city’s recycling tonnage in the single stream recycling areas has increased more than 30% percent since the summer 2006 launch of our simplified recycling collection method that now includes Northeast, Southwest and West Philadelphia,” stated City of Philadelphia Streets Commissioner Clarena I.W. Tolson.  “By making curbside recycling easier for residents, we will continue to increase the amount of material we divert from our waste stream.”

Previously, residents were required to separate commingled recyclables including tin and aluminum cans, glass jars and bottles from mixed paper items. Now, South Philadelphia and Center City residents will be able to place these items along with cardboard and #1 and #2 plastics in the same container.

Recyclers can look for the number on the bottom of the container to see if the item is acceptable. South Philadelphia and Center City residents may continue to use their blue recycling bins for curbside collection.  Should one bin not be enough to hold all recyclables, residents may add another container and mark it “recycling.”
 
This is the second expansion of this innovative recycling process in Philadelphia by the Streets Department since embarking on this comprehensive initiative in July 2006. “ The Streets Department is dedicated to innovative programming,” said Acting Recycling Coordinator Scott McGrath. “ Philadelphia is the first municipality of our size on the east coast to embark on single stream recycling.”
 
For more information regarding recycling, please contact the City of Philadelphia Streets Department’s recycling hotline at 215-685-7329 or visit recyclingPAYS.phila.gov.