Many Philadelphia residents have turned to social media to share images of overflowing trash sites and urge the city to reach a compromise. (Credit: Twitter @Gopic)
As negotiations between District Council 33 and the City of Philadelphia drag on, overflowing trash is raising health concerns in parts of the city.
The strike, now lasting over a week, has caused trash to accumulate outside of dumping sites, attracting rats, roaches and other pests. These pests can carry diseases transmitted through waste, as well as fleas or ticks that spread bacterial or viral infections.
Residents have expressed concern regarding unwanted smells, access to collection sites and traffic jams created by trash build-up.
Samantha Pozza, a nurse practitioner at Penn Medicine, said from what she’s seen, the strike has hit residential areas the hardest.
“It's still just ridiculous,” Pozza said. “You go to more residential areas, and there's just trash everywhere. It's disgusting, it smells. It's creating more bugs. And I haven't seen any rodents yet, but I can only expect at night time.”
While the city has established trash disposal guidelines—encouraging residents to only drop off garbage at collection sites on their normal trash days—illegal dumping has still been an issue.
Three people were arrested Monday for leaving trash outside City Hall, two of whom were taken into custody, Action News reported.
Another healthcare worker at the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania, who asked to remain anonymous, said her neighborhood in Fishtown has stayed relatively clean. But she noted that elderly neighbors who can’t reach collection sites have piled up trash outside their homes.
While she was able to help her 90-year-old neighbor, she said many elderly or disabled residents may not have that kind of support.
“I think people need to be encouraged to work together and come together as neighborhoods, so people who have cars or ways of helping with the trash can assist others,” she said.
She also advised residents to wash their hands frequently and keep trash in containers when possible, rather than piling it on the street.
Pozza, a resident in Philadelphia’s Graduate Hospital neighborhood, said her collection site on 18th and Catharine did not fare as well and was recently moved to 18th and Fitzwater after making local news.
Several social media posts initially brought attention to the issue, displaying a small mountain of bags and boxes soaking in the rain last week.
@amunuma Philadelphia trash update. #philly #trash #philadelphia #trashphilly ♬ original sound - Amunuma
Heaps of trash also prevented cars from getting through, which Pozza said poses another safety hazard and could cause more dangerous accidents if the strike continues.
She said if a compromise is not reached, safety issues will keep growing, calling it a “snowball effect.”
The city advised residents to drive their trash to collection sites that weren’t within walking distance however, almost 30% of Philadelphians don’t own a car. Those who do walk may have to cart their trash several blocks in over 90-degree heat.
Pozza agreed that Philadelphia communities should support one another, especially older residents. On her block, she said, neighbors have been helping each other take out the trash.
“We've been just, you know, trying to sort of limit it on our end and consolidate our trash and not putting it out unless we absolutely need to, but you can only do so much,” Pozza said.
Businesses are also struggling to manage waste, as the collection centers are for Philadelphia residents only and proof of residency is required to enter, according to the city’s website.
Although the city hasn’t opened the centers to commercial vehicles or contractors, illegal dumping is becoming harder to control. Samantha said construction companies are also using the collection sites to dump excess debris.
In a statement to PhillyDaily.com, James Garrow, a Department of Public Health spokesperson, advised residents to report any concerns.
“The Health Department Vector Control Services program is continuing to operate and receive and respond to complaints. If residents see evidence of rats or are being plagued by mosquitoes, they are encouraged to call 215-685-9000. While uncanned trash can draw rats, residents can avoid that situation by using the designated temporary drop-off sites, which have metal dumpsters and are cleared regularly. Illegal short dumping and putting trash out for curbside collection will draw rats and is highly discouraged,” Garrow said in the statement.
A color-coded map showing drop-off locations and the days they are open is available on the city’s website, along with an interactive map allowing residents to locate their nearest collection center.
