Trying to figure out how to dispose all those products stashed in your garage, shed or basement that contain chemicals?
It will be easy to do in September for a small fee. Pennsylvania Resources Council will host two household chemical collection events in Western Pennsylvania to enable local residents to conveniently and safely dispose of materials such as cleaners, paints, batteries, automotive fluids, e-cigarettes/vapes and pesticides.
- Saturday, Sept. 7, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m., South Park Wave Pool parking lot, Bethel Park.
- Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Fayette County Recycling Convenience Center, North Union Township.
Residents need to register to bring the materials to the event. Online registration is available, or they can call 412-488-7490.
“PRC provides residents with numerous options for recycling materials not accepted in curbside pickup, and since 2003 we’ve facilitated the safe management of more than 6 million pounds of household chemicals,” PRC Executive Director Darren Spielman stated in a news release. “It’s important to manage these materials the right way because many contain toxic elements that can leach into our waterways or introduce dangerous toxins into our environment.”
A $20 fee will cover the cost of disposing up to 10 gallons/50 pounds of aerosol cans, automotive fluids, chemistry sets, electronic cigarettes/vapes, gasoline and kerosene, household cleaners, mercury thermometers, paint products, pesticides/garden chemicals, photo chemicals and pool chemicals. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the average home accumulates 100 pounds in chemicals, according to the PRC.
Loads exceeding 10 gallons/50 pounds will be subject to additional fees at the discretion of on-site staff, according to the news release. Participants will also pay $12 per fire extinguisher and $15 per pound of liquid mercury.
When preparing to attend this event, participants should pack all materials in their car trunks or truck beds and then stay in their vehicles while the contractor unloads the materials. The certified contractor will process the hazardous wastes for proper disposal.
The final PRC household chemical collection of 2024 will take place Oct. 12 in Beaver County.
For more information, visit www.prc.org/CollectionEvents or call the PRC at 412-488-7490.
The PUP is the publication of the striking workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
