For more information:
www.county.allegheny.pa.us
www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us
www.ConstructionJunction.org
Where can I recycle if I live in the Slopes?
by Bev Bagosi March 03
In case you didn’t know, I am an avid recycler. I recently drove to Florida to see my Mom & that state really knows how to effectively recycle! I often drive dead batteries and polystyrene to Florida since I am going there & know where to take it when I am there. That seems like a bit much, so over the past few months, I have been compiling a list of places to go & what to take there. Let me tell you, recycling here is a definite challenge! I do not have to tell you the benefits of recycling. You either recycle or you don’t. If you do, this information may help you. If you don’t, this may convert you!
City of Pittsburgh Recycling Services:
Newspaper:This is the easiest one. The City has a program, as you may know, where you simply tie them up with string or put them in a paper bag & they pick up every other garbage day.
Glass, Steel, Aluminum:Same City program & schedule, but you rinse them, remove the lids/caps, and put them in blue plastic bags for curbside pickup. How easy is that?!
Magazines: This is a new City service [finally]. The only difference is that you have to drop them off at a City drop off location. These are listed in the annual garbage literature from the City or at the web site www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us.
Yard Waste: Also a long-standing City service with details as above.
Tires: Also a City service available at drop off locations with details as above, limit 2 per day with ID for proof of residence required.
Paper/Cardboard: Atlas Waste Paper Corp.(412)431-5239 South 24th Street & Wharton Ave.
Other Recycling Services: Closest to South Side
Agents of Change Recycling (412)487-5885, Shaler (near Glenshaw Glass)
Phone Books: Agents of Change Recycling (as above)
Vinyl Binders: American Thermoplastic Co. (800)245-6600 located in Pittsburgh
Polystyrene loose fill (packing peanuts) & Bubble wrap: Mail Boxes, Etc. South Side (412)381-7755, 1739 East Carson Street
Foam Packaging:(meat trays,egg cartons) Tuscarora, Inc. – New Brighton, Beaver County (724)843-8200
Building materials, cabinetry, staircases, molding, bathroom/kitchen fixtures, paint, carpet, concrete, brick, block, asphalt, etc.:
Construction Junction (412)243-5025
214 North Lexington, Point Breeze.
Drop off location for phonebooks, magazines & catalogs, junk mail, cardboard, newspaper, and recyclable metal, plastic and glass - year round in the parking lot. They also have a free pick up service. Your donation is tax deductible.
Paint (Latex):Construction Junction (as above)
Pallets:Rich’s Pallet Recycling East Liberty
Wood: AgRecycle Compost Center (412)242-7645, 335 North Braddock Ave.
Clothing/Household items: Goodwill Industries (412)481-9005, 2600 East Carson Street
Car Batteries: Tri-State Petroleum Recovery – (412) 247-5900, McKees Rocks
Used/Dead Batteries: The E House Company (412)488-7455 1511 East Carson Street
Computer disks, CDs: The E House Company (as above)
Videotapes: The E House Company (as above)
Used License Plates & Bottle/beer caps:
LITTLEARTH (412)471-0909, 2231 5th Avenue, at the end of the Birmingham Bridge
Appliances with freon:
Appliance Warehouse (412)381-8800, 523 Bingham Street.
They have a pick up service for a small fee. I have used this & they are great.
Hazardous household chemicals:
As yet I have no information, but this spring/summer Allegheny County may have a special recycling event. I will let you know as soon as I have more info.
Automotive chemicals/oils:
DEP Recycling Hotline (800)346-4242
Tri-State Petroleum Recovery (above)
Computers: Goodwill Industries (as above)
Hi-Tech Scrap (412)731-5805, 214 North Lexington, next to Construction Junction
Laser Toner Cartridges: Laser Printer Cartridge Center (412) 366-1192, North Side
Electronic Gadgets: Hi-Tech Scrap (as above)
It is great to recycle, but you can help even more by buying recycled products and products packaged in recycled materials. Labels these days are full of information. You can even choose products with little to no packaging. With little effort, together we can all help save the planet.
