PRC partnership collects 189,000 pounds of e-scrap in Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) has announced that since launching its partnership with the city of Pittsburgh in May 2022, more than 2,800 residents have dropped off materials through the city’s hard-to-recycle program. 

In collaboration with PRC, Pittsburgh Department of Public Works (DPW) provides residents with convenient, affordable options for disposing of electronics and household chemicals at the environmental services facility in the Strip District, the organization says.  

The facility receives an average of 15,000 pounds of electronics to be recycled monthly, and PRC says the program has moved more than 189,000 pounds since 2022. 

“These collections provide a way for folks to easily and responsibly dispose of electronic and chemical materials,” DPW Director Chris Hornstein says.  “Appropriate recycling of these items provides many benefits. It prevents hazardous waste from entering our rivers and ground soil, and it also helps keep our dedicated workforce safe by eliminating exposure to hazards during our routine pickups at the curb. DPW is pleased to offer this resource to Pittsburghers as a way for all of us to help keep the city clean and safe.”  

Electronics recycling collections are held Tuesdays and Thursdays, while combined household chemical and electronics collections are held Saturdays bimonthly at the environmental services facility. Neighborhood electronics collection events also are scheduled throughout the year to provide citizens with an additional opportunities to dispose of electronics, PRC says.  

PRC Deputy Director Sarah Alessio Shea explains that all collected electronic scrap is forwarded to Export, Pennsylvania-based eLoop LLC, an e-Stewards certified processor and end-of-life electronics manager.  

“The public can feel confident that their material and data is being safely, ethically and responsibly recycled when dealing with PRC and eLoop,” she adds. 

Advance registration is required for all collection events. Residents can register on PRC’s website.