Household Chemical Collection Events

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EVENTS – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Please Note: All Household Chemical Collection events are held on Saturdays, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, rain or shine.

August 1, 2020
Cambria County
Concurrent Technologies Corporation ETF Facility
Johnstown, PA 15904
Cambria Event Flyer

August 15, 2020
Allegheny County 
Boyce Park Four Seasons Ski Lodge parking lot
(GPS address: 754 Center Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15239)
Boyce Park Event Flyer

NEW PROCEDURES & FLAT FEE

• Registration Required
• $20 flat fee assessed on all participants*
• All items MUST be placed in car trunk or truck bed
• Wear a mask if speaking with on site personnel
• Bring exact change or check
• Remain in your vehicle at all times

* Oversized loads will be subject to additional charges at the discretion of on-site staff.  See Accepted Materials & Associated Cost section for details or email [email protected] with questions

Due to the ever changing COVID-19 outbreak, all event dates, locations, acceptable materials and associated fees 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.

September 19, 2020
Allegheny County
South Park Wave Pool parking lot
1 Wave Pool Complex, Bethel Park, PA 15102

October 10, 2020
Beaver County
Bradys Run Park Recycling Center

October 31, 2020
Allegheny County
North Park Swimming Pool parking lot
S Ridge Dr, Allison Park, PA 15101

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, consider approaching a friend, neighbor, or relative for assistance.

NEW PRICING STRUCTURE
At the June 27 collection, PRC will modify the fee structure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by introducing a $20 flat fee to reduce the number of interactions occurring between event participants and staff to promote safety during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

PER VEHICLE CHARGE: $20*
Flat fee covers disposal or the following materials: 

• 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
• 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 & Pool chemicals & Smoke Detectors

*ADDITIONAL FEES: $12 per fire extinguisher; $15 per pound of liquid mercury

*OVERSIZED LOADS will be subject to additional charges at the discretion of on-site staff

EXAMPLES OF OVERSIZED LOADS:

Please note that we cannot accept any of these items in leaky containers. 

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.

Materials NOT Accepted

• Ammunition
• Appliances
• 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

Associated Cost

PRC strives to keep the cost of these services as affordable as possible. Fees charged 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.

For a great overview, check out “What to Expect at a Household Chemical Collection.”

Q: What type of materials do you take?  If so, what is the cost?

A:  We take various types of chemicals and hazardous waste.  The price for disposal of Household Chemical Waste will be different in 2020 due to modifications to our events relating to the COVID-19 outbreak and following guidelines set by the CDC to minimize interactions a the event. To see our complete list of fees, click on the Acceptable Material & Associated Fees tab on this page.

Q: What forms of payment do you accept at these events?

A.  We accept cash and checks

Q: Is there anyone on-site to help me unload?

A:  Yes. The event is a drive through event, so participants must stay in their vehicles. We work alongside Hazardous Waste Contractors on-site who unload materials from all participant vehicles.

Q: Do you unload vehicles past 1pm?

A: The line shuts at 1pm, and everyone who is in line by 1pm will have their materials unloaded.

Q: Why are fire extinguishers so expensive?

A: The complete fire extinguisher has to be dismantled. This starts with the de-pressurization of the extinguisher, then the valve & valve stem must be removed. Any un-discharged flame retardant material must be poured out and collected and is actually kept in containers around the facility and can then be used on spills and fire prevention within the facility.

Q: How do I manage my household chemical waste

A: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, as well as pressuring producers to make less toxic alternatives. Buying large quantities of a chemical product can result in left overs.

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.

LATEX paint is able to be disposed of in household trash once dry – to learn about how to dispose of latex paint at home CLICK HERE.

To learn more, you can visit our Household Hazardous Waste Safe & Health Home Guide.

Our organization partners with local companies to ensure responsible and proper disposal of all materials collected at our events.

Our partners include:

• Allegheny County Health Department
• Beaver County Department of Waste Management
• Cambria County Solid Waste Authority
• Environmental Enterprises Inc
• Washington County Planning Commission
• NOVA Chemicals

Our sponsors include:

• Allegheny County Health Department
• Allegheny County Parks Department
• Beaver County Commissioners
• Cambria County Solid Waste Authoirty
• Washington County
• Colcom Foundation
• LANXESS
• NOVA Chemicals
• PA Department of Environmental Protection
• UPMC
• Concurrent Technologies Corporation
• Washington Wild Things
• Washington County Family Entertainment
• NewsRadio 1020 KDKA

What does a volunteer do?
As a Event 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.
• Volunteers shift: 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m

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

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

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

If you would like to volunteer at a Household Chemical Collection, please contact Emily Palmer at [email protected] or call (412) 488-7490 x 3.