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Recycling just got better for Center City; 1 & 2 plastics now being accepted

HARRISBURG, Nov. 16 – State Rep. Babette Josephs is applauding Recycle Now Philadelphia, citizen advocates and the city of Philadelphia for their dramatic improvements in recycling for south Philadelphia and Center City residents starting Dec. 3.

Beginning on Dec. 3, 88,000 households south of Vine Street from the Schuylkill to the Delaware not only will be able to place all of their recyclable materials into one curbside bin for pickup by the city Streets Department, but also they will be able to recycle more materials at the curb. Currently, residents must separate their plastics and corrugated cardboard and then drop them off at a neighborhood recycling center.

"The new method of recycling is called single-stream collection, because all the recyclables go into one container," Josephs said. "Since it's easier to do and takes less time and effort, more people are inclined to recycle their cans, plastics, cardboard and paper, reducing the amount of material in our waste stream and saving valuable landfill space.

"This couldn't have come at a better time, with Thanksgiving and the holidays right around the corner. There will be lots of wrappings, boxes and plastic No. 1 and 2 containers that can now be recycled right at the curb instead of being thrown out. I encourage everyone to participate in this curbside recycling beginning on Monday, December 3rd."

Josephs wanted to specifically note the hard work of all the neighbors and organizations involved in the Recycle NOW Philadelphia campaign.

"Recycling just wouldn't be possible in the city if it weren't for the activism of these individuals and organizations. Now our goal must be to ensure recycling continues to make Philadelphia a leader in recycling," she said.

Josephs supported the Recycle Now campaign by providing the Clean Air Council with a grant to expand recycling in her district.

This simplified collection system was initiated in July 2006 for 216,000 households in northeast, southwest and west Philadelphia. With this system, residents are able to set out flattened cardboard, No. 1 and 2 plastic containers, tin and aluminum cans, and glass containers together for curbside recycling.

Josephs has long been an active environmentalist, which includes advocacy for recycling. In addition to recycling as much as she can, she started a backyard food waste composting project in her district, which is now citywide.