Sustainability Resources
More About Cleaning & Greening
What are your sustainability goals?
Go green and save some green
It doesn’t have to cost more to care about the environment. Whether you’re looking for fresh food, renewable energy, or a free tree for the sidewalk in front of your home, NKCDC has a ton of resources to help you meet your sustainability goals.
Recycling
Blue recycling bins
Find a pick-up spot for a free City recycling bin. When we have them in stock, NKCDC provides recycling bins to residents to be picked up during business hours; call ahead to make sure some are available.
Recycling electronics
Electronics recycling has gotten more difficult as the international markets have changed. Elemental is a nearby business that accepts surplus electronics drop-offs at no cost.
Recycling unusual materials
Visit a one of the city’s Sanitation Convenience Centers to dispose of yard waste, Christmas trees, household appliances or computer equipment.
Free repairs
The best way to recycle is to repair! Started by local residents, Philly Fixers Guild organizes events where people can bring “anything that can fit through the door” and a trained volunteer will show you how to fix it for free.
Street and Yard
Trees
TreePhilly has all the information you need about getting a free tree for your sidewalk or yard through the City of Philadelphia.
Philly Tree People will set you up with free trees for the sidewalk in front of your home in the 19125 and 19134 zip codes. They organize two volunteer planting days every year through the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
Compost
For a monthly fee, Bennett Compost will give you a compost bucket and come every week to pick up your kitchen scraps, lawn and garden clippings, sawdust, fireplace ashes, hair and fur, or even shredded cardboard.
Rain barrels and planters
PWD Rain Check delivers and installs free rain barrels, discounted planters and provides funding for other stormwater management solutions.
Fresh Groceries & Meals
Food pantries, farmers markets, senior meals, community meals and farm shares are a few of the ways fresh, affordable food is available to families in the River Wards.
Energy
Clean power
In Pennsylvania you can choose the company that generates your electricity, also known as your electric supplier. Use PA Power Switch to choose a supplier who can offer the lowest price, or provide renewable energy.
Solar panels
Solarize Philly is a citywide program to help all Philadelphians go solar.
Transportation
Biking advocacy
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia advocates for a connected network of streets that are safe for bicycling and walking.
Safe streets
Philadelphia has one of the highest traffic deaths per capita in the country. Vision Zero PHL is a City initiative to end traffic deaths by 2030 through improved transportation and traffic infrastructure.
Updates & Information
- Green Philly Blog was founded in 2008 to make sustainability accessible for all Philadelphians.
- Grid is a free Philadelphia magazine focused on social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
- The Office of Sustainability works with partners around Philadelphia to improve quality of life in all Philadelphia neighborhoods, reduce the city’s carbon emissions, and prepare us for a hotter, wetter future.
- Philly CUSP is a community of local stakeholders who share a passion for engaging residents in climate change issues.