RIP: City Cancels Philacycle Program

Recycling continues to take hits

A program initially created in 2009 to encourage recycling is no longer in the city of brotherly love.

Philadelphia Recycling Rewards, rebranded as Philacycle in 2017, will be discontinued as of June 30, 2019. At that point, residents can no longer earn (or redeem points), nor access the website. Philacycle was offered in partnership with the Philadelphia Streets Department and Recyclebank.

This shouldn’t come as a huge surprise after Philadelphia began to pay for recycling (nearly $10 million each year) instead of making revenue, after China and Southeastern Asian countries have created stricter regulations for what they accept in the recycling streams.

How will the city cut back on recycling contamination?

Philadelphia is investing in a new marketing campaign, “Take a Minute Before You Bin It,” in radio, print ads, and more.

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia.