Trash collectors have a tough job and usually they are professional and thorough, but not always. Here’s what happened to a neighbor, Kelly, this morning:

“It appears our trash [collector] can get away with tossing your can all of the place including through your windshield. Today on the 5000 block of Catharine Street, we received an early morning [visit] from our neighbors to inform us the trash workers had thrown a trash can into our windshield. Now I have to wait for Waste Management who only lets you leave a recording to mail us a claim form. I have little hope they will reimburse us… I also doubt my report to 311 will do anything. And thanks to this a day of work was lost and my eldest missed school.”

Kelly adds that neighbors on both sides of her house saw it happen and came to her door to let her know. She says that everything was tossed about and it was not the wind.

UPDATE (3/7): Here’s a response from Philly311 we received this morning:

@blulotuspr @westphillylocal This was forwarded to us and the Streets Dept yesterday. We escalated and it is under investigation. Thanks!

— Philly311 (@philly311) March 7, 2013

If your normal trash and recyclables pick-up day is Tuesday please note that there will be no collection on Tuesdays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 due to Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, according to an announcement posted by Philadelphia Streets Department. Instead, set out your rubbish and recyclables for collection on Wednesdays, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Also, the rest of the collections will be delayed one day during these two weeks. For more information, visit http://philadelphiastreets.com/
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This week trash and recycling collections will be delayed one day, as the Philadelphia Streets Department reports on its Facebook page. Those whose trash pickup day is Monday should set out their trash and recycling containers tonight. By the way, did you know that you can now recycle carton containers? So don’t forget to put your milk, juice, eggnog, wine, soup and other carton containers together with other recyclables from now on.

Holidays are not over yet for many, but we would like to give you a heads up on Christmas tree recycling opportunities in the neighborhood. The Philadelphia Streets Department will open three locations (closest is on S. 63rd Street) in the city for Christmas tree recycling from January 3 – 14. We’ll post more information on that early next week. You can also check the Streets Dept.’s website for details.

If you want a closer location and don’t mind keeping your tree a little longer you can bring it to Clark Park (43rd & Chester) on January 7 between 10 a.m and 4 p.m. UC Green is organizing this event and we’ll provide more information on it next week.

Trash collection and snow removal

The City of Philadelphia announced that trash and recycling collection will be suspended tomorrow in anticipation of the heavy snow tonight. Folks who have Wednesday pick-up should put their stuff out for Thursday pick-up. The rest of the week will be on a one-day delay. There will also be no rear driveway collection. If you normally place it in a rear driveway, place it on the curb instead.

Also, there’s the new shoveling law that requires clearing at least a 36-inch path on sidewalks within six hours of the end of the storm. Doubt anyone will be measuring, but just sayin’.

Schools

Philadelphia public schools are closed Wednesday. The School Reform Commission meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. has also been canceled. The Parent Infant Center is open.