Who We Are
Richard S. Burns & Company Inc. started out as a one-person operation in the 1960s and has since developed into a 13-acre compound with over 60 employees where we handle over 1,500 tons of material and waste daily. We work hard to support the environment, promote sustainability and preservation of energy, and hope to spread awareness about reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Why Should You Use Our Recycling Center?
We are Philadelphia’s only fully permitted, LEED staffed, and comprehensive waste recycling and recovery facility with over 40 years’ worth of experience. We are open six days a week and offer dumpster and Tommy cart services to make recycling even more convenient for you and your business. Additionally, we have flexible and fair pricing, which makes our facility tough to beat.
Pricing by Waste Type:
| Material | Rate | Minimum |
| Clean Fill | $60.00 per ton | $60.00 |
| Clean Plasterboard | $80.00 per ton | $80.00 |
| Clean Wood | $80.00 per ton | $80.00 |
| Construction, Demolition and Waste | $120.00 per ton | $100.00 |
| Mattresses | $150.00 per ton | $150.00 |
*Find out more about our pricing on our website
Benefits of Recycling
There are countless benefits to reducing, reusing, and recycling materials. The following are just a few benefits of recycling:
- Helps reduce the amount of materials sent to landfills. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “In 2018, about 146.1 million tons of MSW were landfilled. Food was the largest component at about 24 percent. Plastics accounted for over 18 percent, paper and paperboard made up about 12 percent, and rubber, leather and textiles comprised over 11 percent. Other materials accounted for less than 10 percent each.” By making small changes in prioritizing recycling, we can work to reduce the amount of reusable materials sent to landfills.
- It conserves energy. When we recycle and reuse materials, it takes far less energy than it would to make something from scratch. According to gov, “using recycled aluminum cans to make new aluminum cans uses 95% less energy than using bauxite ore, the raw material aluminum is made from.”
- Supports the environment by preserving natural resources and protecting wildlife. Instead of pulling from raw resources and using trees that are part of the ecosystem for various wildlife, we can reuse, recycle, and resell already made materials. Regarding wildlife, according to Environment America, “Scientists have found plastic fragments in literally hundreds of species, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species, and 43% of all marine mammal species. Ingesting these fragments is often fatal.
- Reduces air pollution and emission of greenhouse gases. According to Conserve Energy Future, “Recycling steel reduces 97% of the mining waste produced through the manufacture of virgin resources, and cuts back 86% and 76% on air pollution and water pollution, respectively. Additionally, using recycled glass decreases mining wastes by 80% and air pollution by 20%.”
Of course, there are materials that, unfortunately, cannot be recycled. The following are materials we do not accept:
- Asbestos
- Closed Containers
- Flammable Materials
- Fuel Oil
- Hazardous Materials
- Liquids
- Medical Waste
- Mercury Thermostats
- Open Paint Cans, full or partially full
- Propane Tanks
- Radioactive Materials
- Solvents
- Tires
