Day 2 of heat health emergency as Philly pushes through trash collection delays

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PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A heat health emergency remains in effect in Philadelphia Tuesday morning. To make matters worse, Streets Department crews are playing catch-up with trash collection, leaving heaps baking — and reeking — in the sun. Residents can expect delays to linger. 

With temperatures expected to be in the high 90s again, city Health Commissioner Dr. Tom Farley extended the heat emergency that first went into effect on Monday. It is now set to expire at the end of day Tuesday, but it may be extended again. 

Trash collection

The soaring temperatures have made the ongoing problem of delayed trash collection worse, as piles of garbage have been sitting out on curbs in many neighborhoods, baking in the heat, for days. The Philadelphia Streets Department said crews are prioritizing trash that still needs to be picked up from last week. The department said residents can expect their trash and recycling to be delayed by one or two days this week. 

The sweltering heat and garbage that’s been out for days is a pretty bad combination. Reports on backed up collection in the city and the heat health emergency that’s still in effect on @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/NEYRgriczV

— Tim Jimenez (@TimJRadio) July 21, 2020

Doreen Young, who lives in Mayfair, said her trash has been sitting on the curb for a week. During that time, a critter got to the garbage before work crews did.

“It looks like somebody opened up a hole in my trash bag,” she said. “Now there’s flies all over it. I don’t know if I have to pick it up and pack it all together again and touch the creepy flies.”

Up and down Oakmont Street and Shelmire Avenue, just off of Frankford Avenue, it’s a similar sight: Trash bags are stacked high. If you walk by, you’ll be met with scattering flies that were resting on a heap.

Trash is supposed to be removed on Fridays in this neighborhood, but garbage hasn’t been picked up since last Tuesday, July 14.

“Some people are reluctant of even putting it out because you don’t know when it’s gonna get picked up,” said Linda, who preferred not to use her last name.

The bundles of trash have also made her morning walks with her dog unpleasant. 

“It just piles up along the walkway. It blocks the sidewalks. And the odor, it just continues on and builds up. So, it gets ugly.”

She doesn’t blame the crews, but she hopes things turn around.

Officials say they are dealing with several factors, including sanitation staffing issues and an increased amount of trash and recycling generated by more people staying and working from home — both caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

The city’s sanitation convenience centers are now open seven days a week for residents to bring their trash and recycling. Find a list of locations at the Philadelphia Streets Department website.

The centers are for city residents only. Anyone wishing to drop off trash or recycling materials will need to show proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or utility bill.