The Philadelphia Department of Sanitation this week launched a new commercial waste and recycling portal designed to help city businesses stay on top of recycling rules and waste reporting through a single website.
The new portal, launched Monday and available in multiple languages, allows businesses to submit or update their required waste and recycling plans, detailing how they’ll separate recyclables like paper, cardboard and metals to comply with the city’s Zero Waste goals. Philadelphia aims to divert 90% of waste from landfills or incinerators by 2035.
Businesses can also use the portal to upload documents, access recycling guides and posters, and file state-required reports, as well as view and reprint past filings. Before the website’s launch, business owners often had to submit the required paperwork through different platforms.
In addition to the portal, the sanitation department updated the necessary forms in clearer, more user-friendly language. After filing, businesses will receive an updated certificate to post in their establishment, showing they are in compliance.
Philadelphia joins cities like New York City and Boston that have rolled out similar digital portals in recent years to streamline recycling compliance, reduce paperwork and improve the accuracy of waste data. Those systems have helped city agencies better track commercial waste while saving time for both business owners and city employees.
According to the announcement, Philadelphia plans to conduct outreach to help businesses learn how to use it, with Sanitation Department workers available to provide guidance on best waste management practices. The city also plans to add a new feature to the portal in 2026 that allows businesses to view inspection reports from city enforcement officers, including any violations that may need to be addressed.
Written by Sophia Fox-Sowell
Sophia Fox-Sowell reports on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and government regulation for StateScoop. She was previously a multimedia producer for CNET, where her coverage focused on private sector innovation in food production, climate change and space through podcasts and video content. She earned her bachelor’s in anthropology at Wagner College and master’s in media innovation from Northeastern University.