The Pennsylvania Resources Council will launch its 2024 household chemical collection campaign in Western PA on May 4 by hosting a drive-thru event in Allegheny County.

The collection events will provide residents of Pennsylvania with an opportunity to safely dispose of household cleaners, automotive fluids, paints, pesticides and other products containing potentially hazardous components.

Events will be held in Allegheny, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette and Washington counties

“It’s critical to divert household chemicals from landfills since many contain toxic elements that can leach into our waterways or introduce dangerous toxic materials into our environment,” according to PRC Executive Director Darren Spielman.  “Since launching household chemical collection events in 2003, PRC and its many partners have facilitated the safe management of 6.5 million pounds of household chemicals collected at more than 100 events.”

This first PRC household chemical collection is presented in partnership with Allegheny County Health Department, and will take place on Saturday, May 4, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in North Park.

A $20 fee will cover the cost of disposing up to 10 gallons/50 pounds of aerosol cans, automotive fluids, chemistry sets, gasoline and kerosene, household cleaners, mercury thermometers, paint products, pesticides/garden chemicals, photo chemicals and pool chemicals. 

Loads exceeding 10 gallons/50 pounds will be subject to additional fees at the discretion of on-site staff.

Participants must register in advance online.

When preparing to attend this event, participants should pack all materials in their car trunks or truck beds and then stay in their vehicles while the contractor unloads the materials. 

The certified contractor will process the hazardous wastes for proper disposal.

According to the U.S. EPA, an average home can easily accumulate 100 pounds or more of cleaners, automotive fluids, paints, pesticides and other products containing potentially hazardous components. 

While these products are safe to use if proper precautions are taken, problems generally arise via improper use or disposal.

Full Schedule

Upcoming 2024 PRC household chemical collections will take place--

-- May 4: North Park, Allegheny County,

-- June 8: Cambria County;

-- June 15: Fayette County;

-- June 22: Washington County;

-- August 17: Boyce Park, Allegheny County;

-- September 7: South Park, Allegheny County;

-- September 21: Fayette County; and

-- October 12: Beaver County.

Sponsors

The 2024 PRC household chemical collection campaign is sponsored by Allegheny County Health Department, Allegheny County Parks Department, Beaver County Commissioners, Cambria County Solid Waste Authority, Fayette County Commissioners, Fayette County Conservation District, Washington County Planning Commission, Colcom Foundation, LANXESS, PA Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania American Water, UPMC, Concurrent Technologies Corporation, Fayette County Recycling Convenience Center, Washington Wild Things, Washington County Family Entertainment, and 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA.

For more information about the May 4 collection event, visit PRC’s Collection Events webpage or call PRC at 412-488-7490.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources Council website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them on Facebook.  Click Here for PRC’s Events Calendar.  Click Here to support their work.

PRC is Pennsylvania’s oldest grassroots environmental organization founded in 1939.  PRC has worked to protect resources for future generations through environmental education, recycling, waste diversion programs, anti-litter campaigns, watershed and other initiatives.

Related Articles - PRC:

-- PA Resources Council Launches 2024 Hard-To-Recycle Collection Campaign April 20 In Western PA [PaEN]

-- PA Resources Council: Registration Open For Weekday Electronics Waste Collections In Allegheny County  [PaEN]

Related Articles - Waste/Recycling:

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-- PA Resources Council Offers Free Statewide Recycling Webinar On Earth Day, April 22  [PaEN]

-- ​​PA Resources Council Launches 2024 Household Chemical Collections May 4 At Allegheny County Event; First Of 8 In Western PA  [PaEN]

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NewsClips:

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: PA Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment/Disposal Company Was Building A Conglomerate; What’s Left Is A Pile Of Waste 

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-- Republican Herald: Schuylkill Commissioners Have Productive Meeting With DEP Over Compost Facility Odors

-- The Allegheny Front: Tiny Plastic Pieces Top The List Of Trash On Great Lakes Beaches

[Posted: April 18, 2024]

4/22/2024