Recycling & Waste Collection Around the County

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Recycling is one of the most important actions that citizens can take, and one that is often with their own ability to control – depending, of course, upon the item itself and the amount of effort one is will to expend. Fortunately, Southwest Pennsylvania provides a range of resources and events to help citizens and communities to recycle everything from paper to tires and computers.

County Commitment - Our Recycling Policy

Allegheny County is committed to recycling at the facilities that it owns, occupies and provides for public enjoyment. The new recycling program is being rolled out facility by facility, starting in 2009 with the County Parks.

Read the official  Recycling Policy by which County employees and facilities abide.

Recycling Collection Events 

Pennsylvania Resources Council’s  Zero Waste Program, with support from partners, including the Allegheny County Health Department and others, organizes a series of special one-day collections that help residents properly recycle materials that pose challenges – from computers and cellular phones to crutches, tires, and household chemicals like paints, solvents and some landscaping products. A general list appears below the schedule of events, but be sure to visit the PRC web site to identify exactly what items can and CANNOT be accepted at a collection. You can even sign up to volunteer to help with the events! 

Household Chemicals*	E-Waste Collections**	Pharmaceutical	New!
May 4 - 9 am-1 pm North Park      Swimming pool parking lot More info  Volunteers Needed	April 20 - 9 am-1 pm  Pittsburgh Mills    590 Pittsburgh Mills Circle    Tartentum, PA 15084  (parking lot near Division Rd entrance)    More info   Volunteers Needed	April  27 - 10 am-2 pm Many locations! including   County Police Stations in   North Park & South Park  More info	Reuse Fest Aug. 3 - 9am-1pm Location TBA
May 18 - 9 am-1 pm Cambria County CTC ETF Facility (Johnstown)  More info  Volunteers Needed	June 8 - 9 am-1 pm  Steel City Harley Davidson    1375 Washington Rd    (RT 19 & Race Track Rd)    Washington, PA 15301  More info   Volunteers Needed	Fall Date TBA - 10 am-2 pm Many locations!  including County Police Stations in North Park & South Park   More info
July 20 - 9 am-1 pm Venango County    Cranberry Mall    6945 US Route 322     Cranberry, PA 16319  More info  Volunteers Needed	Aug. 17 - 9 am-1 pm City of Pittsburgh Environmental Services    3001 Railroad Street    Pittsburgh, PA  15201   More info   Volunteers Needed
July 27 - 9 am-1 pm Pittsburgh Parking Authority   Second Avenue parking lot (adjacent to 10th St. Bridge and County Jail)     More info  Volunteers Needed	Oct. 5 - 9 am-1 pm  The Mall at Robinson    100 Robinson Center Drive    Crafton, PA  15205 (Mall parking lot near Dicks Sporting Goods)  More info   Volunteers Needed
Sept. 21 - 9 am-1 pm South Park     Wave Pool parking lot  More info  Volunteers Needed
Oct. 12 - 9 am-1 pm Beaver County    Bradys Run Park Recycling Center  More info  Volunteers Needed

Acceptable Materials

* Household Chemicals: aerosol cans, automotive fluids, batteries, chemistry sets, gasoline and kerosene, household cleaners, mercury, paint and paint products, pesticides/herbicides, photo and pool chemicals. Note: $2/gallon fee charged. Please check the  Zero Waste Pittsburgh site for more info or call PRC at 412-488-7490 ext 236.

**E-Waste Collections: televisions; CPUs (computer central processing units); computer monitors, mice, and keyboards; compact fluorescent light bulbs; fluorescent tubes; cell phones; batteries; and ink and toner cartridges.  Note: some items require a fee. Please check the  Zero Waste Pittsburgh site for more info or call PRC at 412-488-7490 x236.

Recycling Resources

Learn where you can recycle items that are not included in your community’s curbside pick-up program, from scrap metal to batteries and concrete block. View the Allegheny County Health Department  Recycling Directory.

Limited Drop-Off Locations
Check with your municipality regarding special collection sites run by individual municipalities for the benefit of their residents. The  City of Pittsburgh offers and extensive residential and small business drop-off program. 

Or, visit a “Hard to Recycle” Drop-Off Station at various locations downtown, at South Park, Conservation Consultants Inc., Whole Foods, or at The Mall at Robinson. These sites accept toner cartridges, electronics batteries (including alkaline batteries), and cell phones. Limited sites accept compact fluorescent bulbs. Learn more about  Drop-Off Locations.

Role and Regulations - Municipalities

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,  Act 101 governs municipal waste regulations. 

Learn more on the Health Dept. website about the County's  Solid Waste Management Plan and  recycling in the County.