Recycling in Altoona, PA

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• PA DEP: Electronics Recycling (Covered Device Recycling Act) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • The Covered Device Recycling Act (Act 108 of 2010) requires manufacturers to provide recycling programs for desktop and laptop computers, computer monitors, computer peripherals and televisions sold to consumers in Pennsylvania. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DEP says CDRA collection sites may be used by small businesses employing fewer than 50 employees; businesses with 50+ employees and public entities (schools, local government offices, religious organizations) are not covered and must make their own arrangements. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Businesses with 50 or more employees and public entities are not covered under the CDRA and must make their own recycling arrangements. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Covered Device Recycling Act, Act 108 of 2010 (P.L. 1083) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania General Assembly
  • Act 108 Section 504: no manufacturer or retailer may charge a consumer a fee or cost for collecting, transporting or recycling a covered device, unless a financial incentive of equal or greater value (such as a coupon or rebate) is provided. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Act 108 defines a consumer as an occupant of a dwelling unit who used the covered device mainly for personal or small business use; a small business is independently owned, employs 50 or fewer people and would otherwise lack access to electronics recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PA DEP: Covered Device Recycling Act Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, Sept. 30, 2011) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • Manufacturers must run ongoing recycling programs offering no-cost covered device collection to consumers, including home-based businesses; "no cost" means no fee unless a coupon or rebate of equal or greater value is given. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Collection locations that are not retailers and are not affiliated with a manufacturer recycling program may charge fees for covered devices. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Any collection location, even a retailer or manufacturer-affiliated one, may charge to recycle devices that are not covered devices. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Not covered: TVs with screens under four inches; telephones of any type including mobile phones; typewriters, workstations, servers, calculators, PDAs, GPS units, MP3 players and similar devices. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Devices contained in an appliance, and motor vehicle components, are excluded from the CDRA. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PA DEP: Covered Device Recycling Act (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • A covered computer device is a desktop or notebook computer, computer monitor or peripheral marketed and intended for consumer use. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Covered televisions include direct view or projection TVs with a viewable screen of four inches or larger (CRT, plasma, LCD, DLP, LED and similar), marketed for consumer personal use. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A peripheral is a keyboard, printer or other device sold exclusively for external use with a computer that provides input to or output from it. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PA DEP: Electronics (Recycling and Disposal) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • DEP points residents to its CDRA collection sites list (PDF), its HHW Collection Programs page for one-day electronics events, its curbside collection programs page, and the toll-free Recycling Hotline 1-800-346-4242. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PA DEP: 2026 CDRA Collection Sites (PDF) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • DEP's 2026 CDRA Collection Sites list (by county, with addresses) tells consumers to contact a location first to see which electronics it accepts. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PA DEP: Electronics Recycling Collection Programs (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • DEP's electronics collection programs list warns that not all locations accept all items such as TVs, most municipal programs have residency requirements, and some have registration requirements or nominal fees. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PA DEP: Recycling in Pennsylvania (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • DEP's Recycling in Pennsylvania page describes the CDRA as covering desktop and laptop computers, tablets, televisions and more. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check) · sources disagree.
• Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania General Assembly
  • Act 101 Section 1510(c): anyone selling lead acid batteries at retail must accept used lead acid batteries from customers at the point of transfer, at least equal in number to those purchased, in exchange for new batteries purchased. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Retailers must post a notice stating that state law requires them to accept used motor vehicle or other lead acid batteries for recycling in exchange for new batteries purchased. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste brochure 2520-PA-DEP2315 (PDF, rev. 2022) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • DEP: take spent lead acid batteries back to where you bought them; state law requires dealers to accept old batteries when you buy new ones. Checked October 26, 2026.
• IRC Environment: Electronics Recycling (opens in new tab) · Intermunicipal Relations Committee (IRC Environment)
  • Electronics recycling is a self-serve residential drop-off at the Buckhorn Facility, free to most Blair County residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Computers and televisions are still free at the Buckhorn Facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Microwaves and toaster ovens: free. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Metal appliances such as stoves, dishwashers, washers and dryers: free. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers: $10. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Stereos, sound systems and speakers: $5; full-size DVD players and VCRs $2; oversized electronics $10 or more. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Available to all residents of participating mandated municipalities (City of Altoona, Hollidaysburg Borough, Logan Township) and residents of non-mandated municipalities. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The program is for residents only; businesses must call ahead and pay a fee. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Computer towers and laptops: free. Keyboards, printers, faxes, copiers and mice: free. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Televisions: free. Checked October 26, 2026.
• IRC Environment: Buckhorn Recycling & Compost Facility (opens in new tab) · Intermunicipal Relations Committee (IRC Environment)
  • Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; closed Wednesday and Sunday. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Buckhorn does not accept paint, lumber, mattresses or tires. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Recycling is a self-serve drop-off; residents must be able to unload their own electronics. Checked October 26, 2026.
• IRC Environment: Hazardous Material Recycling (opens in new tab) · Intermunicipal Relations Committee (IRC Environment)
  • Automotive batteries and rechargeable batteries (all kinds): free. Checked October 26, 2026.
• IRC Environment: Appliance Recycling (opens in new tab) · Intermunicipal Relations Committee (IRC Environment)
  • All freon-containing appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers and home air conditioners have a $10 per item fee; metal appliances are recycled at the Buckhorn Facility only. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.