Commercial Waste Report
ATTENTION COMMERCIAL BUILDING OWNERS: File your Commercial Waste Report today!
The City of Philadelphia is home to more than 50,000 businesses. These businesses—large and small, family-owned or part of a national corporation, even owners of apartment buildings—all fall under the City of Philadelphia’s Commercial Recycling Law. Just like businesses pay a waste hauler to take away trash, each and every business has to recycle. Complying with the City’s recycling law is not only easy, but it can also be cost neutral or even save money.
Most Philadelphians already recycle at home and have come to expect recycling everywhere they go. By recycling, businesses have the potential to save money and make a favorable impression on their customers.
Introducing the Commercial Waste Report
WHAT
Until 2017, the City's commercial properties were required to submit Commercial Recycling Plans. The Commercial Waste Report, which now replaces the Recycling Plan, is a more comprehensive version of the previous form. Buildings now have the opportunity to report on their waste management practices for multiple waste streams.
WHO
All commercial properties receiving private or City waste collection are required to submit a Commercial Waste Report each year, including restaurants, apartment complexes, schools, storefronts, and more. Building managers are responsible for submitting the form for single and multi-tenant buildings. Institutions that comprise multiple OPA numbers should only submit one form.
WHY
Philadelphia’s long-term Zero Waste goal is to fully eliminate the use of landfills and conventional incinerators by 2035. After piloting waste audits in its municipal buildings, the City launched the Commercial Waste Report, which will provide a more complete picture of waste management in Philadelphia and help the city progress toward its Zero Waste goal.
5 Steps to Compliance
Ready to submit the Commercial Waste Report? Here’s what you need to know:
Fill out the official Commercial Waste Report form online with the City of Philadelphia. The form must be submitted annually by December 31. Please have your Office of Property Assessment (OPA) number on hand.
Go to Commercial Waste Report Form
Commercial Waste Report Guide
To help you complete the Commercial Waste Report and identify opportunities to minimize your property's waste, we have created the Commercial Waste Report Guide. Use the guide to find:
- Philadelphia’s recycling and waste management requirements
- How to fill out the Commercial Waste Report Form
- Tools for understanding your waste
- How to become a Zero Waste Partner
- Ways to implement successful recycling and waste diversion programs
Go to Commercial Waste Report Guide
Did you submit your Commercial Waste Report? Interested in doing more to achieve Zero Waste? Become a Zero Waste Partner.
The Zero Waste Partnership Program is a new way for the City to collaborate with local businesses and organizations on achieving Zero Waste in Philadelphia. Partners take the extra step to report on their Zero Waste practices, including several Zero Waste Action Items and monthly waste diversion rates. Not only does this program encourage Zero Waste practices throughout the city, but it encourages knowledge sharing between the City and Zero Waste Partners: the Partnership will give the City access to additional waste diversion data and give Partners the opportunity to share their best practices with the City and influence future goals. Plus, Partners will earn special incentives for implementing Zero Waste practices, such as eligibility for the Sustainable Business Tax Credit, and exclusive marketing tools from the City.
Zero Waste Partnership Quick Facts
1. The Partnership Program is open to any Philadelphia business or organization.2. Become a Partner and earn eligibility for Philadelphia’s Sustainable Business Tax Credit and an exclusive marketing package from the City.
3. Report your waste diversion rate monthly and select from 10 Zero Waste Action Items to earn Partner, Silver, or Gold Partner status.
4. Use the Commercial Waste Report Guide to find useful Zero Waste tips to increase your waste diversion rate, and to learn more about the Partnership Program.
5. Visit the Zero Waste Partnership Program web page for more information.
Zero Waste Partnership Tiers
Increase your waste diversion rate and check-off Action Items to achieve a greater Partnership status!
Learn More About the Zero Waste Partnership Program
Resources
Commercial Waste Report Guide (2-pager)
Commercial Business Recycling Dumpster Sticker
Commercial Business Recycling Bin Sticker
Zero Waste & Litter Cabinet Action Plan
Philadelphia Disposal, Recycling, and Donation Options
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