Household Chemical Collection Events

• Please visit our events calendar  or see below for a complete list of the 2019 Household Chemical Collection events
• Please Note: All Household Chemical Collection events are held on Saturdays, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, rain or shine. Participant fee: $3.00 per gallon (a few exceptions apply), cash only.
• Call 412.488.7452 for more information.
  • Allegheny County #1  North Park Swimming Pool parking lot Saturday, May 4, 2019 (click here for event flyer)
  • Cambria County Concurrent Technologies Corporation ETF Facility, Johnstown, PA, Saturday, May 18, 2019 (click here for event flyer) 
  • Fayette County Fayette County Fairgrounds, Dunbar, PA, Saturday, June 22, 2019 (click here for event flyer)
  • Washington County Wild Things Park, Washington, PA, Saturday, July 20, 2019 (click here for event flyer)
  • Allegheny County #2  Boyce Park Four Seasons Ski Lodge parking lot (GPS address: 754 Center Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15239), Saturday, August 17, 2019 (click here for event flyer)
  • Allegheny County #3  South Park Wave Pool parking lot, Saturday, September 21, 2019 (click here for event flyer)
  • Beaver County  Bradys Run Park Recycling Center, Saturday, October 12, 2019 (click here for event flyer)

  Disclaimer: All event dates and/or locations are subject to change; check back frequently for the most up-to-date list of PRC collections events, hours, fees, and list of acceptable materials.

  We realize that our program schedule will not meet everyone’s needs. We strive to make our events accessible to the greatest number of people in the region we serve. If you are unable to attend, for whatever reason, please consider approaching a friend, neighbor, or relative for assistance.

   

What types of Household Chemical Waste do you accept at collection events?

PRC accepts nearly every chemical product found in the bathroom, kitchen, basement, garage, garden shed, or workshop.  These include: aerosol cans, automotive fluids (e.g., motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, kerosene, brake fluid), batteries, camp fuel/small propane bottles, chemistry sets, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs: bulbs only- we do not accept fluorescent tubes), gasoline and kerosene, household cleaners (ammonia, drain openers, acid cleaners, oven cleaners), mercury thermometers/liquid mercury, paint products (latex, oil based, alkyd based, arts/crafts chemicals, rust preservatives, creosote, water sealers, paint thinners, furniture strippers), pesticides/garden (rodent killers, insecticides, weed killers, mothballs, fertilizer), photo chemicals, pool chemicals, among others. Please note that we cannot accept any of these items in leaky containers! We also do not accept any type of commercial type waste.

Tip: To avoid spills and damage to your vehicle, never put leaky containers into your car! If possible, transfer materials to a new container. Preserve the label and place in a zippered plastic bag to keep with replacement container. If you can’t transfer the material, you can isolate the leaky item by placing it in a zippered plastic bag, plastic bucket, etc..

If you have questions about specific products, please call the Household Chemical Collections  hotline at (412) 488-7452.

What products, items, or materials are NOT ACCEPTED at Household Chemical Collection events? PRC DOES NOT ACCEPT the following:

Ammunition, appliances, bulk waste, commercial and industrial waste, compressed gas cylinders (large grill/medical), explosives, flares , fluorescent tubes, leaking containers, medical waste (including needles and sharps), prescription or non-prescription drugs, PCBs and dioxins, radioactive materials, tires.

How much does it cost to dispose of Household Chemical Waste?

The price for disposal of Household Chemical Waste is $3.00 per gallon (a few exceptions apply), cash only. We do our best to fairly determine the volume of waste that you bring to our events, but this is by no means an exact science!

PRC strives to keep the cost of these services as affordable as possible. Fees charges to event participants cover less than 25% of the programs cost. The remaining costs are supported by the State of PA, County Government sponsors, and through grants from charitable foundations and contributors.

The best method of managing Household Chemical Waste is to prevent its generation in the first place. This involves selecting the least toxic item “to do the job” and buying the minimum amounts necessary. Buying large quantities of a chemical product is not a bargain if half of it ultimately needs to be discarded.

If the material is still usable (e.g., undamaged, still within designated shelf life), check with friends and neighbors to see if they can use it. You can also check with community groups such as Habitat for Humanity to see if they can use the product.

Volunteers are an essential part of each and every one of our collection events! Volunteering is also a great way to make a positive impact on the environment of western PA!

What does a volunteer do?
As a collection volunteer, you will:

• Participate in a brief training session prior to the start of your event
• Perform tasks such as directing traffic, taking surveys, handing out educational materials, and much more. You will be engaged!
• Volunteers can work full or half-day shifts:
  • Full-day shift: 7:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m
  • Morning shift: 7:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m
  • Afternoon shift: 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m

NOTE: VOLUNTEERS DO NOT HANDLE CHEMICAL PRODUCTS OR UNLOAD VEHICLES!

If you would like to volunteer at a Household Chemical Collection, please contact Michael Stepaniak at [email protected] or call him at (412) 488-7452.

Volunteer Recognition
PRC realizes how important volunteers are! Without your help, we would not be able to offer Household Chemical Collection events to the residents of western Pennsylvania. We would like to sincerely thank all of our former volunteers for their participation, and hope that many of you will work with us in 2017!

To show our appreciation, all volunteers at collection events will receive the following free of charge:

• Breakfast and lunch
• Disposal of Household Chemical Waste (up to 6 gallons), a $18.00 value
• That warm fuzzy feeling that comes from helping a good cause!

Safe & Healthy Homes

Safe & Healthy Homes for Buyers & Sellers

Safe & Healthy Kids

Safe & Healthy Lawn Care

Safe & Healthy Pets

Safe & Healthy Seniors

Hazardous Waste in the Home: Safe & Healthy Guide

PRC’s Household Chemicals Collection program is a project of the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), a registered 501 (c) (3) and the oldest grassroots non-profit environmental organization in the Commonwealth.

We are always seeking out corporate, foundation, and individual sponsors/partners to help us continue to provide safe and economical disposal options to residents throughout western Pennsylvania. If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation to help support our efforts, please do so online here or send a check made payable to PA Resources Council and mail to (write “Household Chemicals” in the memo section):

The PA Resources Council
64 S. 14th Street
Pittsburgh PA, 15203

For additional information, please e-mail Michael Stepaniak at [email protected] or call him at (412) 488-7452.

Residents of Delaware County have opportunities to safely dispose of and recycle their household chemicals at specific locations throughout the region.

Learn more here.