Quality of Life

The NLNA Quality of Life Committee mission is to promote environmentally sustainable and green practices throughout Northern Liberties.

Activities include: educating neighbors about sustainable practices, distributing recycling containers, composting workshops, tree planting, seasonal neighborhood clean-ups, and exploring new, expanded recycling opportunities.

311

    • Rather than waiting on hold, hang up and download the Philly 311 App. It’s easy to use, and you can send a photo of the problem. Report 311 issues as you see them, and get updates on their progress.

    • Provide an address, not an intersection.

    • The Streets Department will not respond if you don’t provide a correct street address.

    • Overstuffed or uncollected multi-unit trash dumpsters or corrals

    • Large amounts of trash left on the curb on days that are not trash day

    • Illegal dumping in lots

    • Pot holes

    • Sink holes

    • Downed trees

    • Un-plowed streets

    • Graffiti

    • Vacant houses

    • Open fire hydrants

    • Any city service problems

    • Your neighbors messy stoop

    • Clogged storm drains

    • The mess left behind after trash and recycling collection

waste

    • Stay within the trash collection set out limits: 8 bags or 4 containers per household.

    • Make sure each trash bag does not exceed 40lbs. Overweight bags can cause injury, litter, and collection delays.

    • Limit bulk waste to 2 items per household. No white metals, electronic waste, or hazardous materials.

  • Place trash in front of your own property no earlier than 7PM before your regularly scheduled collection day.

    Listen to Streets Department announcements for trash and recycling collection updates. Report collection delays of more than a week to 311.

    • Recyclables needs to be rinsed free of food residue. This is because the oily residues in food interfere with the sorting machines used to separate the items.

    • The following is a list of acceptable material:

      • Paper — newspaper, cardboard, junk-mail, circulars, stapled or not, pizza box halves (tear away the oily half of the box)

      • Plastic (Nos. 1 through 7 *) — Rinsed milk cartons, juice containers, cleaning supply containers, lids

      • Metal — Rinsed cans, clean aluminum foil

      • Glass — Rinsed containers of any color

      • Rinsed Waxed Containers — milk cartons, juice boxes

      • Old Cans of Acrylic Paint — Allow the paint to dry completely first.

    * Plastics are graded by number which can be found embossed on its bottom surface. The number is set inside the universal recycle symbol. Plastics 1-7 can be recycled.

    • Plastic Bags

    • Household Hazardous Waste — like old paint cans (oil-based)

    • Styrofoam

    • Waxed Paper or Cups

    • Wet or food-soiled paper

    • Paper Tissues, Towels, or Napkins

    • Porcelain & Non-Container Glass

    • Light Bulbs or Tapes (VHS or Audio)

    • Electronics

    • Needles or Syringes

    • Reduce food waste by using garbage disposals or composting. Contact: nolibscompost@gmail.com or visit www.CleanPHL.org/composting

    • Hold off on DIY projects that increase curbside waste. Limit construction debris, wood, and furniture.

    • Recycle right. Only glass, mixed paper, cardboard, metal cans, cartons, and plastic bottles & containers. No yard waste, plastic bags, Styrofoam, or trash in recycling containers.

    • Safely dispose of unused prescription and over-the-counter medications: Drop them off 24/7 at the 26th Police District at 615 East Girard Avenue. Contact the 26th District 215-686-3260 or Police.CPO_26@Phila.gov

      • Accepted Medications: Prescription Medications, Prescription Patches, Prescription ointments, Over-the-counter Medications, Vitamins, Samples, Medications For Pets

CLean up

    • PHS (Philadelphia Horticultural Society) sponsors free bi-annual street tree plantings through their TreeTenders program.

    To volunteer e-mail Erika at bgoldewag@verizon.net.

    Click here to find out more about becoming a Tree Tender.

    • Northern Liberties is one of three Model Neighborhoods for the Philadelphia Water Department’s Green Streets program. This initiative uses “green” tools such as: street trees, landscaping, vegetative swales (water absorbers), rain barrels and more…

    • The Goal is to beautify blocks, increase the energy efficiency of homes, cut down on utility bills, and keep dirty flood waters out of our basements and rivers.

    For more info contact Jeanne Waldowski, Public Affairs at (215) 685-4945 or jeanne.waldowski@phila.gov. Or visit www.phillywatersheds.org and www.phillyriverinfo.org

    • Abandoned Lot Clean-Up: Report Philly 311. Get the Ticket Number.

    • Graffiti Clean-Up: Report Philly 311. Get the Ticket Number.