Philly Switches to Weekly Recycling Collections

In a move to further boost an already escalating diversion rate, Philadelphia has switched its city-wide recycling collections to once each week instead of once every two weeks. All of the city’s residents will now have their recyclables collected on the same day as their trash.

“Our recycling efforts speak to the city’s commitment to sustainability,” said Mayor Michael Nutter, in a press release. “We have removed every barrier and obstacle for people to recycle. Recycling is the right thing to do for the environment and the right thing to do for the city’s budget. We estimate that the city will avoid $4 million dollars in landfill fees during the first fiscal year of weekly citywide recycling.”

Since switching to single-stream recycling in July, the city’s diversion rate has increased to 12 percent. The city’s goal is to reach 18 percent by 2011.