Green Scene: Sustainable Philadelphia

Say what you will about Mayor Michael Nutter, but his first year in office has been greener (think more eco-friendly) than mayors past. When he took office last year, he said he wanted to make Philly the greenest city in America. And, he's made significant strides. Last Spring, he organized the city's biggest clean up, collecting 2.5 million pounds of trash. Then, he created and filled the position of sustainability director. Then, this past summer, he brought Philadelphia into the 21st Century by introducing citywide single stream recycling, meaning you can put all of your recyclables in one bin. Now, the city has announced that you can put your recycling out each week the same day as your trash. That's right, folks. No more archaic green week, blue week business. No more spying on your neighbors to see if they are putting out their recycling so you should too.

So, here's the skinny. Every week when you put out your trash, you can put out all of your recycling in one bin. You can get one of the highly stylish blue bins from the city, available for pickup at several locations throughout the city. Or, you can even use an old clothes basket or tricked-out used tub, as long as you write the word "recycling"on the bin. (Ed note: We'd also suggest writing your address on the side of the bin, in case it ends up placed in front of your neighbors' homes instead of yours.)

Here's what you can put in your bin:

• Metals, including aluminum and tin, empty aerosol and paint cans
• Mixed paper, including newspapers, magazines, mail (junk and personal), phone books, food boxes, computer paper, flyers, wrapping paper, and soda and beer cartons
• Plastics, only Number 1 and 2
• Glass bottles and jars
• Cardboard

If you still have questions, you can check out Recycling Pays, Philadelphia's recycling information center, call Philadelphia's recycling hotline at 215-685-RECYCLE (7329) or try out the city's new 311 system.

And Philadelphia's focus on becoming a more sustainable city has been noticed. According to SustainLane's 2008 greenest city rankings, Philadelphia, which has consistently ranked in the top 10, holds 8th place right now, sandwiched between Minneapolis and Oakland. So, our city is doing something right! And, with regard to another kind of green, if you're wondering where Phoenix ranks among the greenest cities in the country... they are holding strong in 32nd place. Take that, all you Cardinals fans.

Image credit: Flickr user studio08denver