City launches map that tells you if you can bring your cans in

The Streets Department launched a map called “PickupPHL” today (October 1st) to show the status of your trash and recycling.

The map only tells you if the trash and recycling trucks have visited and the exact time if you’d like to know. It will not clarify when the truck will come, if it’s running late, or if they’ll combine your trash and recycling.

Residents can submit a report to 311 through a hyperlink on the website.

As Green Philly covered, city insiders described a history of stagnation and problems with the Streets Department. In a PlanPhilly piece, former Zero Waste and Litter Director Nic Esposito doesn’t seem to think this website adds much innovation to the city. As Esposito said, “Honestly, it just seems like a lot of bells and whistles on an already pretty generic piece of technology that they have and somehow it’s translated into more transparency.”

In a press release, the Streets Department announced that they will be mailing residents postcards with 10 tips for ways to manage their waste on a postcard. (I guess the Streets Department hasn’t been following Green Philly for hundreds of tips over the past 12 years?)

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher