PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Starting next month, you’ll be able to ditch your toxic chemicals at a handful of sites around the city — safely, of course.
The Pennsylvania Resources Council is launching its 2022 household chemical collection campaign on April 16. Presented by PPG Paints Arena and the Pittsburgh Penguins, the first drive-thru event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 16 in the arena’s surface parking lots, offering Pennsylvania residents the opportunity to safely dispose of a wide range of potentially hazardous household materials.
For a $20 fee, attendees will be able to dispose of up to 10 gallons/50 pounds of aerosol cans, automotive fluids, chemistry sets, electronic cigarettes, gasoline and kerosene, household cleaners, mercury thermometers, paint products, pesticides or garden chemicals, photo chemicals and pool chemicals. The fee covers the cost of disposing of these toxins in an environmentally conscious way.
“It’s important to divert household chemicals from landfills since many contain toxic elements that can leach into our waterways or introduce dangerous toxic materials into our environment,” PRC Executive Director Darren Spielman said in a press release.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, an average home can accumulate up to 100 pounds of cleaners, automotive fluids, paints, pesticides and other products that contain potentially hazardous or toxic components. Since 2003, the PRC’s household chemical collection events have directly resulted in the safe disposal of more than 6 million pounds of chemicals.
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, and materials may be recycled, incinerated or safely buried in special landfills, according to the release.
Upcoming 2022 PRC household chemical collections will take place April 30 in Beaver County; May 7 in North Park, Allegheny County; May 21 in Cambria County; June 18 in Fayette County; June 25 in Washington County; Aug. 20 in Boyce Park, Allegheny County; Sept. 10 in South Park, Allegheny County; and Oct. 8 in Beaver County.
For more information or to register for a collection event, check out the PRC’s website. Be sure to register in advance for any collection events you plan to attend.
