What You CAN’T Recycle in Philadelphia (on the Streets)

One of the most popular questions we are asked is “Can I recycle this?”

Now that we’ve gone over what you can recycle for curbside efforts in Philadelphia – plastics and beyond – here’s a list of what you can’t recycle:

• Metal: Aluminum foil, pots/pans, paper clips
• Glass: Light bulbs, window glass
• Mixed Paper: Hard back books, tissues, paper,towels, napkins, wax-coated cups or containers, food-soiled paper, fi le folders
• Plastic: Styrofoam, plastic bags, PVC pipe, packing inserts or “peanuts.”
• Other: Styrofoam, chemicals, rubber, wood, and ceramic or porcelain plates or cups containers

Posted by Julie

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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. View all posts by Julie Hancher