Philadelphia Revises Trash And Recycling Collection In Advance Of Winter Storm

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The City of Philadelphia Streets Department says it has revised its trash collection schedule in advance of the impending snowstorm.

Officials say for those who have normal THURSDAY trash and recycling collection, which was to be picked up Friday because of the MLK holiday, leave your trash at the curb Friday as scheduled.

For those who have normal FRIDAY trash and recycling collection, which was to be picked up Saturday because of the MLK holiday, officials say please hold your trash until next week; the trash trucks will be used to plow starting Friday evening.

"We're going to get through this together, as a city," said Mayor Jim Kenney at a Thursday afternoon news conference.  The mayor urged residents to help by clearing steps and sidewalks, by helping neighbors do so, and by checking on elderly neighbors.

Officials say the Streets Department plans to begin its plowing operation Friday evening.  The department will dispatch a full deployment of approximately 400 plows and more than 600 personnel, according to officials.

The Office of Emergency managed will not make a decision on the declaration of a snow emergency until after the forecast is updated Friday morning.  But officials say drivers should avoid parking on snow emergency routes when they return home from work on Friday.  Those routes can be found at www.philadelphiastreets.com, and they are marked by signs on the streets.

The city's Emergency Operations Center is expected to begin a partial activation with core services by Saturday morning, and then move to a full activation as conditions warrant, according to officials.

Officials say all city residents are required to clear a path of three feet in front of their property within six hours of a snow event ending, including curb cuts.  Don't shovel snow back into the street, as it is both against the law and disrespectful of the city crews that have worked hard to clear them.