Philadelphia trash collection delayed during COVID-19 surge

What they're saying: "We are challenged with providing the specific number of days we will be behind as the number of employees available to work fluctuates," the department said in a statement on its website.

• The city also noted an increase in collection tonnage following the holidays.

Flashback: Trash collection rates have plummeted during the pandemic as garbage tonnage spiked.

• The on-time trash collection rate tanked to 53% during the first year of the pandemic through June 30, 2021, from 82% in the three previous years.

What to do: Residents should continue to set out their trash and recycling on their regular days, the agency said.

• The city is also urging residents to dispose of their trash and recycling at sanitation convenience centers.
• Track the progress of collections at streetsmartphl.phila.gov.