Dive Brief:

• According to the Greenworks Philadelphia 2014 Progress Report, the city of Philadelphia, PA surpassed its goal of diverting over 70% of its solid waste from landfills. 
• The report details the progress of 15 targets across five areas: energy, environment, equity, economy and engagement.
• Philly has been working toward its key targets throughout the past five years, and has one more year to fulfill its goals. Out of a total of 164 initiatives, 160 projects are complete or are underway.

Dive Insight:

The city reached its goals in two ways: 50% of the municipal waste was recycled, while 23% was converted into energy. To hit the 73% diversion rate, the Philadelphia Streets Department diverted 1.3 million tons of recyclables in 2012. A majority of construction and demolition waste never reached a landfill in 2012, with 80% of the debris recycled. 

Earlier this month, Philly announced it had extended its partnership with RecycleBank to promote recycling citywide. The residential recycling rate hit a record 21%, attributed in part to strategies implemented by RecycleBank.