Do I Need a Dumpster Permit in Philadelphia County
It is important to note that Philadelphia County requires a one-time license to be obtained for all dumpsters that are permanently placed on private property. If the dumpster is for temporary use at your residence a permit is NOT required. The application can be found in the Department of Licenses and Inspections. In addition, an annual, renewable license must be obtained for all dumpsters that are located in the public right-of-way. Fees differ for each type and size of dumpster. And for temporary construction dumpsters that are in the public right-of-way, you need to acquire a special permit. You can learn more about this by calling the Streets Department Permit Unit.
Philadelphia County’s Recycling Initiative
Philadelphia Country strongly encourages its residents to recycle materials in a correct manner. It not only keeps the environment and communities clean and minimizes pollution and litter, but those who recycle incorrectly may be subject to SWEEP fines, also known as the Streets & Walkways Education and Enforcement Program. The initiative seeks to educate residents about the importance of keeping streets clean while supporting and bolstering efforts to maintain sanitation.
What items can be recycled?
Philadelphia County has created a wide range of infographics and charts to promote accurate recycling practices. According to Philadelphia Streets, these items are allowed to be recycled and are approved for curbside pickup:
Plastic Bottles and Jars
Newspapers, Magazines, & Brochures
Paperback Books
Junk mail, Envelopes, Scrap Paper, and Paper Bags
Milk, Juice, Wine, and Soup Cartons
Aluminum, Steel, and Tin Cans
Aluminum Baking Dishes
Empty Paint and Aerosol Cans
Glass Bottles and Jars
Dry & Clean Cardboard Boxes
Paper Towel Rolls
Egg Cartons
Plastics, cartons, metals, and glass should be emptied and rinsed. Plastic, metal, and glass lids and caps are allowed. Paper should be removed from plastic sleeves/bags. Remove shipping & Packing materials from cardboard.
What materials are NOT allowed to be recycled?
According to the Philadelphia County website, these items are not approved for recycling:
Plastic Bags
Styrofoam
Disposable Plates, Cups, and Takeout Containers
Greasy/Food-spoiled Paper & Cardboard
Light Bulbs
VHS/Audio Cassette Tapes
Garden Hoses
Needles and Syringes
Propane Tanks
Pots and Pans
How can I dispose of Hazardous Waste in Philadelphia County?
In order to dispose of hazardous waste, residents need to register for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events (HHW Events). You can sign up for a drop-off event on Philadelphia County’s registration site, and learn more about specific dates, times, and locations.
A wide range of materials is accepted at HHW events. Here are a few items that are allowed:
Paint and Related Materials (Paint Thinner, Varnish, Paint Stripper)
Pesticides, Chemical Fertilizers, and Swimming Pool Chemicals
Fire Extinguishers, Aerosol cans
Bathroom, Tile, and Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Oven and Drain Cleaner
Cleaning Solvents
Automotive Products (Used motor oil, antifreeze, lead-acid batteries)
Flammable Materials – Kerosene, Old gasoline
Household batteries, mercury, PCBs, Moth Balls, and More
The Philadelphia County website contains a full list of hazardous materials that can be accepted at HHW events. Currently, they do not accept computer electronics and televisions, which must be brought to Sanitation Convenience Centers.
Receive discounts, news and blog articles: