Philadelphia to Begin Twice-Weekly Trash Collection in North Philly
Philadelphia will begin twice-weekly trash pickups in parts of North Philadelphia starting on Jan. 5, 2026, as part of a citywide expansion aimed at reducing illegal dumping and keeping streets…
Philadelphia will begin twice-weekly trash pickups in parts of North Philadelphia starting on Jan. 5, 2026, as part of a citywide expansion aimed at reducing illegal dumping and keeping streets cleaner.
This expansion follows a successful similar rollout in South Philadelphia. It is driven by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker's Office of Clean and Green Initiatives and aims to offer more frequent trash collection and curb the need for residents to store rubbish.
According to an NBC10 Philadelphia report, after the city began collecting trash twice a week in South Philadelphia, it has seen a 19% reduction in illegal dumping cases, according to Carlton Williams, the director of the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives.
"Residents can expect having multiple days throughout the week, which limits their ability to have to store it someplace, and they can legally get rid of it without it becoming a dumping problem throughout the city," said Carlton Williams, the director of the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives, in a statement shared with NBC10 Philadelphia.
Officials acknowledge that not every block will require twice-weekly pickups, noting that trash generation varies across neighborhoods.
According to a Philadelphia Inquirer report, the North Philly phase of the initiative will cover the boundaries of:
- Vine Street to Hunting Park Avenue, from Broad Street to the Schuylkill River
- Vine Street to Glenwood Avenue, from Broad Street to the Delaware River
The second pickup will occur on the third day after an area's regular pickup day. For example, households that routinely have their trash collected on Monday will have their second pickup on Thursday. Households with Tuesday pickups will have their second pickup on Friday, and so on.
Recycling will not be collected on the second pickup day. It will continue to be done on the original pickup day. No second collection will take place during the weeks of city holidays.
If a pickup is missed, crews will return within 24 hours. Residents should call 311 to ensure the pickup is logged. Households and businesses should place trash curbside after 5 p.m. the day before pickup during the fall and winter and after 7 p.m. during the spring and summer.
