It's the Law
In 1994, the City of Philadelphia adopted a set of guidelines regulating the way commercial entities dispose of their waste. These Commercial Recycling Regulations require businesses to develop and follow a recycling plan. The plan must be filed with the Streets Department, distributed to all employees and/or tenants, and publicly posted on site premises.
In Philadelphia, outreach and education play an integral role in helping commercial entities to recycle. Information is available in the
Commercial Recycling Brochure and via the recycling hotline at 215-685-RECYCLE (7329).
Who is required to recycle?
The commercial recycling regulations require all businesses in Philadelphia that utilize a private trash hauler to do the following:
- Prepare and submit a Commercial Solid Waste and Recycling Plan
- Distribute the plan to all employees and/or tenants
- Publicly post the plan
- Provide recycling containers
- Create an education program to communicate expectations, changes, impacts, etc.
- Use a hauler or recycling company that is licensed by the City of Philadelphia
- Set trash and recyclables out at the proper time to ensure proper sanitation
- File an exemption request if your hauler intends to recover recyclables from mixed trash