Recycling in Allegheny County
Municipalities throughout Allegheny County, like all other counties in Pennsylvania, offer residents curbside waste collection and specified drop-off sites to promote recycling and environmental health.
How your recycling is sorted and disposed of is dependent on where you live. Some townships and boroughs allow single-stream recycling while others require co-mingled recyclables. Check your township or borough’s website for your exact specifications.
What Items Are Recyclable?
According to the Allegheny County’s website, the following items can be recycled and collected curbside:
All recyclables should be clean and free of debris, food residue, and grease or wax. The paper must be clean and dry, and some municipalities may require it to be tied with string or twine. Your municipality may require glass to be separated by color.
These items cannot be collected curbside:
Plastic Shopping Bags
Plastic Pots
Batteries (Lithium, Button, NiCad, & Rechargeable Batteries)
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)
Recycling kiosks are also available at many department stores such as Best Buy. They may accept items such as CDs/DVDs, ink and toner cartridges, cables & connectors, rechargeable/Ni-Cad batteries, used gift cards, and more.
What Items Cannot be Recycled?
According to Allegheny County’s website, these are some items not allowed to be recycled:
Paper coated in wax or plastic
Cardboard Boxes coated in wax (ex: Produce Boxes)
Plate Glass, Ceramics, Pottery, Milk White Glass
Mirrors, Light Bulbs, Fluorescent Bulbs, Crystal
Aluminum trays, ice cube trays, pie tins
Storm doors, windows, and gutters, lawn furniture
For more information about recycling and a full list of what can and cannot be recycled, visit the Allegheny County Solid Waste and Recycling page.
Hazardous Waste Disposal in Allegheny County
Allegheny County residents can dispose of their hazardous waste at a Health Department Collection Event, which happens throughout the year. Other items that can be disposed of at these events are eWaste and pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit the County website.
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