Off-Campus Recycling & Waste Diversion
Approaching our materials challenge as a society with the strategy of “Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Repair, Reuse, & Recycling” is key to building a sustainable future. Below are resources to help you reduce your impact while living off-campus.
Recycling
While on-campus, please utilize Pitt’s recycling & compostable diversion systems. These include specialty recycling programs for batteries, electronics, ink & toner cartridges, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and more.
When off-campus, the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County have many resources available for waste disposal and diversion from the landfill. Check out this searchable map of recycling drop-off locations in Allegheny County, broken down by types of materials.
Composting Options
If you do not wish to bring your compostables to campus, private composting services are provided by Worm Return and Shadyside Worms.
Curbside Pickup
The City of Pittsburgh has single-stream, curbside recycling picked up every other week; find out what day your pickups are using PGH.ST.
City curbside recycling accepts mixed paper, carboard, metal containers, glass, and plastic containers. There are also recycling drop-off locations around the City.
If you are living outside of the City of Pittsburgh, curbside recycling should be offered by your municipality.
Recycling by Law
Under Pittsburgh recycling laws and regulations, you are entitled to recycling services at your residence. If your landlord is not providing recycling to you, you have the right to request it.
The City regularly sends a letter to landlords reminding them that all property managers must:
- Provide durable, watertight containers not exceeding thirty-five (35) gallons for both waste & recycling.
- Establish a location for containers to be stored away from public right-of-way view
(if stored outside during the course of the week).
The City of Pittsburgh can only collect waste & recycling from residential buildings with five (5) units or fewer.
Owners of businesses and/or residential buildings with six (6) or more units are responsible for hiring a private hauler for both waste & recycling.
Reference the laws & regulations below to help empower your request for recycling:
For Renters or Owners in Single-Family Dwellings:
- Recycling is mandated in the City of Pittsburgh per State Act 101
- Curbside recycling is collected by the City of Pittsburgh per 619.04(a)
For Renters in Five-Unit or Less Buildings (Small Apartment Building):
- Recycling is mandated in the City of Pittsburgh per State Act 101
- Curbside recycling is collected by the City of Pittsburgh
- Persons not serviced by the City of Pittsburgh must hire a private collector for municipal waste and recyclables per 619.04(f)
- Owners shall provide to the lessee(s) the Waste and Recycling Fact Sheet per 619.08
For Renters in Six-Unit or Less Buildings (Small Apartment Building):
- Recycling is mandated in the City of Pittsburgh per State Act 101
- Curbside recycling is not provided by the City of Pittsburgh
- Persons not serviced by the City of Pittsburgh must hire a private collector for municipal waste and recyclables per 619.04(f)
- Owners shall provide to the lessee(s) the Waste and Recycling Fact Sheet per 619.08
Additional Recycling Resources
- Electronics, Paint, & Hazardous Waste – The City of Pittsburgh partners with Pennsylvania Resources Council to host electronic waste & household hazardous waste recycling collections.
- Construction Materials & Medical Supplies – Local nonprofits Construction Junction, Brother’s Brother, & Global Links accept donations of construction materials, furniture, medical supplies, education supplies, and various humanitarian supplies. Please check lists of accepted materials for each organization before bringing in materials.
- Styrofoam – Can be dropped off at Appliance Warehouse‘s South Side local for recycling.
- Speciality Recyclables – Looking for where to recycle plastic bags, tires, cooking oil, and many other specialty items off-campus? Check out Allegheny County’s Recycling Drop-Off finder
Reuse
There are many reuse programs on campus to help you reduce waste. Instead of buying new items during move-in, check out Thriftsburgh‘s Rummage Sale every August to purchase clothing, mini-fridges, apartment furniture, & more. When moving out, donate your unwanted items to Clutter for a Cause so they can find a second home.