Philadelphia Trash Pickup & Garbage Schedule 2026

Philadelphia’s Department of Sanitation provides municipal trash and recycling collection for eligible residential properties. In general, a property qualifies for City collection if it is a separate real estate parcel for tax purposes, stays within weekly refuse limits, and has six units or fewer, unless it is a qualifying condo or co-op. Larger buildings and some other property types are not eligible and must use a private hauler.

How to Find Your Philadelphia Trash Pickup Day

Philadelphia does not use one universal pickup day citywide. Your address determines your collection day, and the City’s official lookup also links out to service updates, missed-pickup reporting, and the live StreetSmartPHL truck map.

1. Open the official collection-day finder. Go to Find your trash and recycling collection day.
2. Enter your address. The City lookup shows your assigned pickup day and lets you check holiday impacts tied to that schedule.
3. Use StreetSmartPHL if your block is waiting. The City links to StreetSmartPHL, where you can see where trash and recycling trucks have visited today.
4. Confirm holiday weeks before set-out. Philadelphia says trash and recycling collections run one day behind for the rest of the week after a City holiday.
5. Use 311 for problems. If your address, pickup day, or service status looks wrong, file a request through 311 or call for help.

Philadelphia Trash Pickup Schedule: What Runs When

Philadelphia provides regular residential trash and recycling pickup for eligible homes. Collection days vary by address, and the City’s official lookup is the fastest way to confirm your block.

The City’s sanitation rules also set different set-out times by season. From April 1 to September 30, most residents should set out trash and recycling between 7 p.m. the night before and 7 a.m. on collection day. From October 1 to March 31, the general citywide window changes to between 5 p.m. the night before and 7 a.m. on collection day.

If you live in Center City, Philadelphia uses an earlier morning deadline. From April 1 to September 30, Center City set-out runs from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. From October 1 to March 31, the Center City window runs from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Philadelphia Weekly Trash Limits and Container Rules

This is one of the most important City rules to get right. Philadelphia sets weekly refuse limits for municipal collection, and the rules are different for trash and recycling.

Philadelphia’s sanitation rules say a single-family home can set out up to four cans or eight bags per week. Properties with two to six units can set out up to six cans or 12 bags per week. The City also notes that two bags may be substituted for one can.

Philadelphia Recycling Rules

Philadelphia requires trash and recyclables to be separated. Residents can use a City-provided recycling bin or another household container as long as it is no larger than 32 gallons. The City says there are no weekly recycling limits.

Common accepted curbside recyclables include:

• Paper and cardboard
• Glass bottles and jars
• Metal cans and containers
• Plastic bottles, jugs, and containers accepted by the City’s guide

Good recycling habits Philadelphia expects:

• Keep recyclables separate from trash
• Use the correct container
• Check the official recycling guide if you are unsure about an item

Philadelphia Bulk Item Collection: Appointment Required

Philadelphia now offers a special residential bulk collection service for large or bulky household items that are not picked up during regular trash collection. This is separate from your normal curbside trash day.

The City says bulk collection can include items such as:

• Large appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, and hot water heaters
• Household furniture
• Large toys
• Flat-screen TVs
• Passenger car tires with rims removed

This service is available by appointment for single-family homes and multi-family dwellings with up to six units. Larger apartment buildings, condominiums, and commercial properties are not eligible and must use a private hauler.

1. Go to the official bulk page. Open Schedule trash collection for bulky household items.
2. Use the City’s scheduling portal. Philadelphia links directly to bulkcollection.phila.gov for appointments.
3. Check eligibility first. Confirm the property is residential and falls within the City’s eligible unit limits.
4. Prepare the item correctly. Philadelphia specifically says household furniture should not be dismantled, and refrigerator doors must be removed.
5. Set out only for the scheduled appointment. Since this is separate from regular collection, avoid assuming crews will take it on your usual trash day.

Philadelphia 2026 Holiday Trash Delay Rules

Philadelphia’s official holiday rule is simple: trash and recyclables are not collected on City holidays, and collection runs one day behind schedule for the rest of the week after a holiday.

Because Philadelphia uses the City holiday calendar, the safest move during any holiday week is to check your address in the official collection-day tool before putting anything out.

What to Do If Philadelphia Missed Your Trash or Recycling Pickup

If your materials were set out on time and were still not collected, Philadelphia gives you a few official ways to check status and report the problem.

1. Look at StreetSmartPHL first. Visit StreetSmartPHL to see where trucks have already visited.
2. Make sure you used the correct seasonal set-out window. Early or late placement can create collection issues and possible code problems.
3. Confirm it was not a holiday delay. City holidays shift the rest of the week one day later.
4. Report the miss through 311. Use the missed-pickup option from the City’s trash services pages or call 311 directly.
5. Track the request. Philadelphia lets residents track a 311 service request after submission.

Philadelphia Sanitation Convenience Centers

Philadelphia residents can drop off oversized trash, yard waste, recycling, and other accepted items at the City’s six sanitation convenience centers. These are especially useful if you have material that does not fit your normal curbside week or you want to avoid waiting for a bulky-item appointment.

Philadelphia says residents can drop off regular household items once a day and oversized items once a week. Construction debris is not accepted at sanitation convenience centers, so building materials should go to a private facility instead.

Household Hazardous Waste in Philadelphia

Philadelphia does not collect household hazardous waste at the curb. The City says hazardous waste can be taken to seasonal waste collection events throughout Philadelphia, and residents can also use the City’s recycling and donation finder to look for options.

Hazardous waste examples can include:

• Flammable products
• Corrosive materials
• Toxic chemicals
• Reactive household waste

Official Philadelphia Waste Collection Resources

Frequently Asked Questions About Philadelphia Trash Pickup

Need help now? Start with Find your trash day, then use StreetSmartPHL or 311 if your block still needs service.