Philadelphia Exceeds 70 Percent in Waste Diversion

Philadelphia said it has exceeded 70 percent in waste diversion for the second consecutive year.

According to the Greenworks Philadelphia 2014 Progress Report, the city is diverting nearly all municipal solid waste from landfills through waste to energy and recycling programs.

The city exceeded the Greenworks goal of 70 percent waste diversion with a 73-percent rate in 2012, according to the latest data. That compares with a baseline total of 53 percent in 2008, according to a news release.

Half of the waste collected was recycled (1.36 million tons) and 23 percent went for energy conversion (627.8 million).

Of the amount recycled, 73 percent was commercial, 9 percent residential and 18 percent construction and demolition (C&D) debris.

Residential recycling totaled a record 122,680 tons, for a curbside recycling rate of 21 percent.  

Philadelphia reported that it saw gains in all five Greenworks sustainability target areas.