In a press conference on Tuesday, July 1, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced a firm decision: regular curbside trash collection is suspended until the ongoing municipal workers’ strike is resolved. As an immediate response, the city activated temporary drop-off centers with defined hours and limits, urging residents not to place trash on the curb during this period.

The strike involves District Council 33 (DC 33), the union representing thousands of public employees, including sanitation workers, maintenance crews, public service staff, and others performing essential functions. The labor stoppage is directly impacting sanitation and other critical city services.

City officials strongly advise residents not to place their trash on the street starting Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Instead, six Sanitation Convenience Centers have been made available, operating daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Additionally, 60 more sites have been designated for trash drop-off. Residents can find the nearest location through the city’s official website.

The interruption of collection services is expected to lead to visible consequences. Delays or cancellations in regular routes, trash piling up on street corners and in residential areas, health concerns from foul odors and pests, and increased frustration among neighbors are all anticipated outcomes.

To help minimize the impact, officials encourage residents to stay updated through official city announcements, keep trash at home if possible, and avoid putting it out on unapproved days to prevent worsening the situation.

Residents choosing to bring their waste to designated sites must follow sanitation department guidelines. Trash may only be dropped off on a resident’s regular collection day, with a limit of eight bags per person. Loose or unbagged trash will not be accepted.

Recyclables will only be accepted at the Sanitation Convenience Centers. However, the city recommends keeping recyclables at home for as long as it is safe to do so.

Several services will also be unavailable during the strike, including street sweeping, bulk trash pickup, block cleanup Saturdays, councilmember-organized community cleaning groups, and the city’s 13-week cleaning program.

When Impacto asked Mayor Parker what the main obstacle in the stalled negotiations had been, she responded: “That I can’t answer. All I can tell you is that the offer on the table is fair and the best one that has been presented in negotiations.

For the latest updates on trash collection in the city of Philadelphia, visit www.phila.gov.