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.
