Philadelphia single-stream system boosts recycling tonnage 29%

Nov. 13 -- Northeast Philadelphia has increased its recycling tonnage by nearly 29 percent since the launch of a single-stream residential curbside system this summer.

From July through September, the city collected 870 additional tons of recyclables from the 123,000 households in the area than it did during the same period in 2005. Northeast Philadelphia households moved to a single-stream collection system July 10.

"Our single-stream recycling collection method is proving to be quite a success," said Philadelphia Streets Commissioner Clarena Tolson.