Single-stream recycling launched in Philadelphia

Yesterday, the city of Philadelphia launched its first single-stream recycling program, servicing 123,000 homes in northeast part of the city. According to a report in The Evening Bulletin, households on this new route can place glass, newspapers, aluminum, cereal boxes, plastic bottles and cardboard together in any plastic container up to 25 gallons for bi-weekly pick up.

The Philadelphia Streets Department converted 10 surplus trucks for single-stream pickup using a $150,000 grant from the State of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. It is hoped that savings generated by the program will allow the city to expand single-stream service in the future.