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Philadelphia braces for more recycling pickup delays due to trash crisis, impending storm Isaias


If you’ve been staring out your window at an overflowing recycling can, wondering if it will ever be picked up, you’re not alone. The bad news: The wait likely isn’t over.

If your recycling is picked up on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday in Philadelphia, expect another round of delays due to Hurricane Isaias. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain and wind to the region beginning Tuesday. As a result, the city is suspending all recycling collections scheduled for Wednesday through Friday, asking residents to hold the items until next week’s collection.

Last week, pickup was suspended on Monday and Tuesday, but collection was resumed on those days this week, the Streets Department said.

The news comes days after Philadelphia announced it would hire 120 temporary sanitation workers to address widespread trash pickup delays.

These holdups are due to staff shortages and a steep increase in residential trash due to the pandemic, a department spokesperson said in a statement.