Zero Waste Philadelphia
City Guide
Updated March 2026
Many communities offer tools to help residents on their zero waste path. We’ve gathered our favorite options in Philadelphia. Do you have a resource to recommend? Contact us!
Zero Waste Programs
Ready to get involved with your community? Below are local options available to you.
Philabundance
Philabundance reduces food waste by partnering with grocers, restaurants and other food businesses to rescue food that would otherwise be thrown away and get it to neighbors who need it.
FarmPhilly Community Compost Network
Run by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, this network supports composting at community gardens, farms and schools across the city, with supplies and training for volunteers. Interested in starting or joining a site? Contact farmphilly@phila.gov.
Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia
Own a restaurant or business? SBN helps local companies cut waste through programs like its Food Saver Challenge, which pairs businesses with composters and food rescue groups.
Zero Waste Grocery & Refill Shops
Bring your jars, bags and bottles. These shops make it easy to skip single-use packaging.
Mariposa
A community-owned grocery in West Philly with a bulk section and local produce. Anyone can shop, and members get extra perks.
Good Buy Supply
Philadelphia’s first sustainable general store, on East Passyunk Avenue. Bring your own containers to refill soaps, detergents and cleaners, and shop hundreds of plastic-free essentials.
Perennial Refill Hub
Mt. Airy’s refill shop for dish and laundry detergent, soap, shampoo and other household basics, plus eco-friendly gifts.
Low-Waste Dining
When dining out, it’s nice to know your meal comes with less waste. These restaurants are working on it.
Fork Restaurant
This Old City restaurant reduces food waste through careful sourcing and by teaching its kitchen to use more of every animal and vegetable.
Bar Hygge
A neighborhood brewery and restaurant in Fairmount that has made sustainability a priority since opening in 2016.
Get Involved
Ready to do more? These resources connect you with Philadelphia’s sustainability community.
Green Philly
Philly’s go-to guide for sustainable living, with news, how-tos and listings of local green events, including waste reduction workshops and cleanups.
Composting in Philadelphia
Philadelphia generates over 200,000 tons of food waste a year. There’s no citywide curbside composting yet, but you still have options.
Bennett Compost
Philly’s largest compost pickup service, now including former Circle Compost customers. For a monthly fee, Bennett collects your food scraps weekly from your home or business and gives you finished compost back in the spring.
Community Compost Sites
The city’s Farm Philly network has compost sites at gardens, farms and schools, but most accept scraps only from their own members. Check the city’s map for a site near you, and confirm its drop-off rules before you go.
Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center
Got yard waste? Residents can drop off leaves, grass clippings and brush here for a fee, and pick up free compost, mulch and wood chips for their gardens.
