Spring Cleaning Time: Recycle Responsibly

Spring time is well known as the season of renewal, growth, and, of course, cleaning! But what do you do after you’ve made everything spic and span? Recycling your unused or broken belongings can be a problem. What are you supposed to do with that old computer, TV, or other old electronic device? What about those old tires, unused paint in cans, aerosol cans? Even more confusing, what do you do with all those prescription and non-prescription pills that are unused or out of date? The Pennsylvania Resources Council and Zero Waste Pittsburgh have the answers.

Each year between April and October, these organizations hold Recycling Collection events in the Greater Pittsburgh Area (which includes Washington, Beaver, Cambria, and Allegheny Counties). They sponsor two types of events: Hard to Recycle collections (such as TVs, computers, electronics, tires, medical equipment), and Household Chemical Collections (such as paint and aerosol cans). Although there is a small charge for some of the items collected, most of the items will be accepted for free. Details of exactly what is accepted at the Hard to Recycle and Household Chemical Collections different events and the charges can be found at zerowastepgh.org.

Unfortunately, Pharmaceutical Collections (unused prescription and non-prescription drugs) are no longer a part of these events. However, several pharmacies in our area are collecting these items. These are listed below for a 20 mile radius of the 15217 area. For other locations, you can go to the Drug Enforcement Agency’s page for Controlled Substance Public Disposal locations or to the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs for Prescription Drug Take-Back Program.

The state department has detailed instructions as to how to prepare for the disposal and which medications are accepted (including pet medications) and which are not. Unused medications in homes create a public health and safety concern, because they can be accidentally ingested, stolen, misused, and abused. Please dispose of these pharmaceuticals responsibly! The 2015 Collections Schedule is as follows:

• Hard to Recycle Collections (9am – 1pm)
  • April 11 – Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills
  • April 25 – Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills
  • May 9 – Washington County – Washington Mall
  • August 22 – West Mifflin- Allegheny County Airport
  • October 3 – The Mall at Robinson
• Household Chemical Collections (10am – 2pm)
  • May 2 – Allegheny County – North Park Pool
  • May 16 – Cambria County – CTC – ETF Facility
  • July 18 – Washington County – Washington Mall
  • Aug 15 – Allegheny County – Boyce Park Four Seasons
  • Sept. 12 – Allegheny County – South Park Wave Pool
  • Oct. 10 – Beaver County – Brady’s Run Park

Pharmaceutical Collection Controlled Substance Public Disposal Locations authorized by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in our local area are:

• Wilson’s Pharmacy, 4101 Penn Ave.,
• Asti’s South Hills Pharmacy, 250 Mt. Lebanon Blvd.,
• Donora Union Pharmacy, 642 McKean Ave., and the
• Heritage Valley Pharmacy, 720 Blackburn Road.