Household Chemicals

Since 2003, Pennsylvania Resources Council has hosted Household Chemical Collection Events in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The program is made possible by the support of many partners and volunteers. The events have directly resulted in the safe management of 6,000,000 lbs of household chemicals.

The events are restricted to household quantities of household chemicals. If you have materials generated by a business or other commercial source, please contact us for assistance. For events outside of Western Pennsylvania, please contact your County Recycling Coordinator. We also have information for County’s we partner with at our events.

Procedures & Fee Structure

  • Registration Required
  • $20 fee for up 10 gallons/50 lbs per vehicle assessed on all participants
  • All forms of payment accepted
  • All items MUST be placed in car trunk or truck bed
  • Remain in your vehicle at all times while contractor unloads materials

Additional Fees

  • $12 per fire extinguisher
  • $15 per pound of liquid mercury
  • Oversized loads – fee to be determined at the discretion of on-site staff

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.

Register for Household Chemical Collection Events

    • April 15 – PPG Paints Arena, Allegheny County
    • May 6, North Park, Allegheny County
    • May 20, Cambria County
    • June17, Fayette County
    • June 24, Washington County
    • August 19 — Boyce Park, Allegheny County
    • September 9 – South Park, Allegheny County
    • October 14 — Bradys Run Recycling Center, Beaver County — REGISTER NOW
    • All events require pre-registration to attend.

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

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.

Household Hazardous Waste Inquires

If you have questions, regarding Household Chemical Collections, please call 412.488.7490 x 7

What Can You Bring?

  • 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)
  • Electronic cigarettes
  • 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 chemicals
  • Pool chemicals
  • Smoke Detectors

  • 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
  • Anything 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, cardboard box, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

We take various types of chemicals and hazardous waste. Please refer to the What to bring section on this page.

We accept all forms of payment: cash, checks, credit and debit cards.

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.

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

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.

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.

Interested in volunteering at a collection event?

Take Action

Collection Event Sponsors & Program Partners

  • Allegheny County Health Department
  • Beaver County Commissioners
  • Cambria County Solid Waste Authority
  • Fayette County Commissioners
  • Washington County Planning Commission

  • Allegheny County Parks Department
  • Fayette County Recycling Convenience Center
  • Colcom Foundation
  • LANXESS
  • PA Department of Environmental Protection
  • Pennsylvania American Water
  • PPG and Pittsburgh Penguins
  • UPMC
  • Concurrent Technologies Corporation
  • PPG Paints Arena
  • Washington Wild Things
  • Washington County Family Entertainment