Since Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) launched a partnership with the City of Pittsburgh in May 2022, more than 2,800 city residents have dropped off materials through the City’s hard-to-recycle program. Working in collaboration with PRC, Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works (DPW) provides residents with convenient, affordable options for responsibly disposing of electronics and household chemicals at the Environmental Services facility in the Strip District.
Each month the facility receives an average of 15,000 pounds of electronics to be recycled, and the program has moved more than 189,000 pounds since 2022. “These collections provide a way for folks to easily and responsibly dispose of electronic and chemical materials,” says DPW Director Chris Hornstein. “Appropriate recycling of these items provides many benefits. It prevents hazardous waste from entering our rivers and ground soil, and it also helps keep our dedicated workforce safe by eliminating exposure to hazards during our routine pick-ups at the curb. DPW is pleased to offer this resource to Pittsburghers, as a way for all of us to help keep the city clean and safe.”
Electronics recycling collections are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year, while combined household chemical/e-waste collections are held every other month on a Saturday at the Environmental Services facility. Neighborhood e-waste collection events are also scheduled throughout the year to provide citizens with an additional opportunity to dispose of electronics.
PRC Deputy Director Sarah Alessio Shea explains that all electronic scrap collected is forwarded to eLoop LLC, an e-Stewards-certified processor that responsibly manages electronic waste. “The public can feel confident that their material and data is being safely, ethically, and responsibly recycled when dealing with PRC and eLoop.”