Recycling in Erie, PA

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• City of Erie: Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Erie Department of Public Works
  • The City of Erie says to let latex paint dry out (or add hardener or cat litter), put the hardened paint in the trash and the open can with curbside recyclables. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The City of Erie lists oil-based paint as flammable household hazardous waste, with fees by amount, and names the Erie County HHW Collection Events as an outlet. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Flatten all corrugated cardboard and paperboard; remove tape, plastic wrap and styrofoam; break down boxes larger than 4 ft and place next to other recyclables. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Boxes larger than 4 ft should be broken down and placed next to other recyclables. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Use clear plastic bags or blue bins for curbside recycling; blue bags are no longer accepted. 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.
• City of Erie: Bureau of Refuse (opens in new tab) · City of Erie Department of Public Works
  • The City of Erie picks up many large items as a free service to its residential refuse customers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Collection is limited to regular household trash, for example a couch, chair, mattress, lamp, table or dresser. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Not included: large appliances (washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators, AC), automotive items (batteries, tires), electronic devices and household hazardous waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • No bulky items are collected unless the resident schedules and receives a 6-digit confirmation number; call 814-870-1550 weekdays 8:30–4:30 or schedule online. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Schedule a pickup of up to 3 bulky items online or at 814-870-1550. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Due to demand, pickups are scheduled up to two weeks out. Checked October 26, 2026.
• City of Erie 2026 Calendar & Recycling Guide (opens in new tab) · City of Erie
  • Tire & Electronics Recycling Event, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (2026: Saturday, May 2). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • City residents only; proof of address required. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • 6 tires per vehicle; only passenger vehicle and light truck tires; no rims. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Acceptable electronics: TVs, computers, monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, speakers and tablets. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Location: City of Erie Municipal Garage Complex, 1926 Holland St. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Pro Waste Services Inc. (opens in new tab) · Pro Waste Services Inc.
  • Pro Waste Services Inc.: 813 East 18th Street, Erie, PA 16503, (814) 455-5119. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Erie County Recycling Program (opens in new tab) · Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development
  • Erie County: ProWaste, 813 East 18th Street, accepts televisions and computers; fees apply. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Erie County: Lincoln Recycling, 1602 Selinger Avenue, accepts some electronics including monitors and televisions; fees apply (814-838-7628). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Erie County Recycling Program HHW and electronics events, operated by Noble Environmental, are open to all Erie County residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Fee: $0.50 per pound for electronics and chemicals, $5.00 per pound for propane cylinders; pre-registration required. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Events are held on Saturday mornings, typically 9am–noon (2026: seven dates at Greene Township, Summit Township, East Middle School and Albion). Checked October 26, 2026.
• Lincoln Recycling: FAQs (opens in new tab) · Lincoln Recycling
  • Lincoln accepts electronics and TVs/monitors at its drive-thru facilities; it purchases printers, towers and laptops, and charges for TVs and monitors. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Lincoln Recycling: What do you accept? (opens in new tab) · Lincoln Recycling
  • Accepted metals: aluminum, brass, copper, nickel alloys, stainless, appliances, automobiles, steel. Batteries: lead acid, car and forklift, rechargeable. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Batteries accepted: lead acid, car and forklift batteries, rechargeable batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Not accepted: tires, dirt, wood, asbestos, insulation, roofing and solid waste. Checked October 26, 2026.

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