Philadelphia, PA - If you live in Philadelphia, getting a recycling bin is not difficult. All you need to do is request one online. The recycling bins must be 32 gallons or less and have a recycling logo. To prevent contamination, You can use zip ties to secure the lids of the bins. Bella Vista Neighbors Association started using zip ties in April 2018. Previously, when You picked up blue plastic bags for curbside recycling, they contained three percent of plastic. Now, the contamination rate is 0.5 percent.
How Hard Is It to Get a Recycling Bin in Philadelphia?
Recycling in Philadelphia
Philadelphia residents are provided with free recycling bins, which can be picked up at any of the city's six sanitation convenience centers. However, obtaining a bin and ensuring that your recyclables are actually recycled can be a bit more complex than it seems.
While the city theoretically makes recycling easy with its single-stream system (meaning you can throw all your recyclables in one bin), only a small percentage of the city's recyclables actually end up being recycled. This is due to some factors, including contamination of recycling bins with non-recyclable materials and the lack of financial incentives for waste management companies to invest in recycling infrastructure.
Before 2018, most of Philadelphia's recyclables were shipped to China for processing. However, China's National Sword policy, which restricted the import of certain recyclable materials, significantly disrupted the global recycling market. Like many other cities, this left Philadelphia scrambling to find new outlets for its recyclables.
Today, Philadelphia's recycling system is managed by vertically integrated waste management companies that own landfills and incinerators. These companies often prioritize the most cost-effective disposal methods, which may involve sending recyclables to landfills or incinerators rather than recycling them
