Clean & Green

In her inauguration speech, Mayor Cherelle Parker said she wanted to make Philadelphia the "safest, cleanest, and greenest big city" in the U.S. That's a tall task for a city that's earned the moniker "Filthadelphia" over the years. Parker has embraced "cleaning and greening" as part of her mayoral brand. Here's how she trying to deliver on that campaign pledge.

Initiatives

A Streets Department mechanical broom truck drives down a Philadelphia street. (BIlly Penn file photo)

Citywide Cleaning and Greening Program

In June 2024, Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration launched the One Philly, United Citywide Cleaning and Greening Program. Its goal: To clean every...
Philadelphia Skyline with Greenery in Foreground From Drexel Park

Progress Updates

1 of 3

Bill to end city trash incineration on hold

(WHYY) In the final legislative hearing of the year, Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier held her bill that would block the city from continuing to send its trash to be burned in the Reworld incinerator in Chester.

Critics say the waste-to-energy plant is a major source of air pollution and its presence in majority-Black Chester is an example of environmental racism. 

Mayor's clean-and-green efforts include focus on quality-of-life issues and neighborhood resilience

As it relates to "clean," Parker said her administration would work to address quality-of-life issues, including:

  • litter
  • illegal dumping
  • graffiti
  • abandoned automobiles
  • vacant lots
  • and nuisance properties.

One the "green" front, the mayor has pledged to use more renewable electricity, reduce emissions, and protect and grow the city’s tree canopy.

In her 2024 city budget proposal, Mayor Parker allocated funds for:

  • Funding city-wide, summer clean-up program
  • Piloting twice-weekly trash collection
  • Addressing illegal dumping, abandoned cars and litter

Key offices and efforts

  • Created The Office of Clean and Green Initiatives, a large expansion of the city's sanitation efforts
  • This office runs the Citywide Cleanup Program, a residential district-by-district cleaning program, as well as a twice-a-week trash collection program
  • In 2024, the 13-week summer clean-up program helped clean more than 20,000 neighborhood blocks and commercial corridors.

Key quotes

  • "We’ve already begun cleaning neighborhood commercial corridors across the city, and now, Clean and Green will begin cleaning every residential block citywide."
  • "We’re going to deliver on our promise and end “Filthadelphia” once and for all." (May 2024 announcement)

Related News

1 of 2
Common items like bins can be recycled at the Burns Material Recovery Facility in Philadelphia. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
WHYY

‘Philly ain’t playing’: City steps up anti-dumping enforcement efforts

Forty additional city employees have been given authority to issue notices of violation against illegal dumpers. They hit the streets next month. Read...
Two people and a bike on grass, Philadelphia cityscape in background (Associated Press)
The Trace

Can a Greener Philly Reduce Crime?

In a bid to improve public safety, quality of life initiatives are bringing brighter lights and more green spaces to Philadelphia. Read more.

Explore Other Issues Areas

School bus at evening on the streets of Philadelphia downtown

Education

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA downtown skyline from the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

Public Safety

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA downtown city skyline at dusk.

Solutions Progress Report

The Solutions Progress Report tracks updates on the key issues and initiatives of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration. 

Explore the Solutions Progress Report