Battery Recycling in Pittsburgh, PA

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• 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 1501(a): a municipality (other than a county) with 10,000 or more people must run a source-separation and collection program for recyclables. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Act 101 Section 1501(b): municipalities of more than 5,000 but under 10,000 people with density over 300 per square mile must also run a recycling program. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents of mandated municipalities must separate leaf waste unless they compost it; less dense municipalities that ban leaf burning may be exempt from leaf collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Mandated programs must have a scheduled curbside (or similar) collection day for separated materials at least once a month. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • 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.
  • No person may put a used lead acid battery in mixed municipal solid waste; it must go to an automotive battery retailer or wholesaler, an EPA-permitted secondary lead smelter, or an authorized collection or recycling facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Required retailer notice: "It is illegal to discard a motor vehicle or other lead acid battery." Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A retailer that fails to post the required notice after a warning faces a civil penalty of $25 per day. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • Statewide recycling began in 1988 with Act 101, which requires larger municipalities to recycle. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DEP says more than 11.6 million residents (at least 94 percent) have access to recycling, through about 1,050 curbside programs and 870 drop-off programs. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • For curbside recycling details, DEP tells residents to contact their local hauler or municipality. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • For bulky items, DEP tells residents to contact their refuse hauler, or their county recycling coordinator if they have no hauler. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • If no HHW services are available in your area, DEP says to contact your county recycling coordinator. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PA DEP: Recycling in Pennsylvania (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • Act 101 set a $2-per-ton fee on waste disposed at municipal waste landfills and waste-to-energy facilities, funding local recycling grants. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PA DEP: Special Waste Materials Curbside Collection Programs (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • Some haulers and municipalities run curbside collection for special wastes restricted from regular trash (electronics, HHW, tires); each has its own requirements and costs. 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.
• PA DEP: Household Battery Recycling (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • DEP: alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt) are no longer considered hazardous and may go in normal household trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Before recycling or disposal, tape battery terminals with non-conductive tape or bag batteries individually to prevent fires. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Before taking batteries to a recycling outlet, contact it to confirm it accepts your type and ask about fees. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Depending on chemistry and type, batteries may be accepted at Pennsylvania HHW collection events. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DEP names retail collection points that may include Batteries Plus, Home Depot, Lowe's and Staples, plus outlets such as Call2Recycle (DEP does not endorse them). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Most jewelry stores will recycle silver oxide watch batteries when replacing them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • For damaged batteries, contact the battery or device manufacturer for handling information. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • DEP points residents to Call2Recycle's drop-off locator for single-use and rechargeable batteries and cell phones. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DEP: household hazardous waste is unused household products that may explode, catch fire or harm the environment, e.g. paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, drain cleaners, batteries and motor oil. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • If no collection program is available, HHW may legally go in regular trash if label directions are followed, liquids are evaporated or absorbed, residue is packaged against leaks, and it is set out in small quantities over several collections. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • DEP lists ongoing HHW programs and one-time events by county; most municipal programs have residency requirements and some charge nominal fees or require registration. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Contact the program before dropping off HHW to learn what it accepts and when it operates. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • Under Act 101 as amended by Act 190 of 1996, HHW programs may operate if registered with DEP; most collect annually at drop-off sites, others year-round. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Act 190 allows 50% funding for HHW collection programs run by municipalities and non-profits. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Very small quantity generators (businesses making under 100 kg of hazardous waste a month) can use registered HHW programs like households. Checked October 26, 2026.
• City of Pittsburgh: Electronic Waste and Household Hazardous Waste Disposal (opens in new tab) · City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works, Environmental Services
  • City of Pittsburgh residents can make appointments to recycle electronics through the City’s vendor Noble Environmental: weekly drop-offs, community events and curbside pickups; fees apply by material type and quantity or weight. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • City residents can drop off single-use alkaline batteries inside the Frick Park Environmental Center free of charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The City refers residents to PRC’s Hard To Recycle program for electronics, Freon appliances, styrofoam and tires; details and registration at prc.org/collectionevents or 412-488-7490. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Noble Environmental: City of Pittsburgh E-Waste and HHW Recycling Programs (opens in new tab) · Noble Environmental
  • Weekly drop-off at 3001 Railroad Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:30–6:30 pm. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Universal waste (bulbs, batteries) is $0.55/lb. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Appointments are required. Credit/debit cards are the only accepted payment. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Aerosols, fluorescent lights and batteries are accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Curbside pickup at home: $25.00 base fee plus per-item fees. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Credit/debit cards are the only accepted form of payment. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Construction Junction: Recycling Services (opens in new tab) · Construction Junction
  • Construction Junction: 214 North Lexington Street, Pittsburgh PA 15208, open Mon–Sat 9:00–5:00 and Sun 10:00–5:00. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Electrics recycling covers light bulbs, electrical ballasts and batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Construction Junction: What We Accept (opens in new tab) · Construction Junction
  • Some items require a fee paid at the front register before dock staff accept them, including refrigerant appliances, light bulbs, ballasts and alkaline batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Pennsylvania Resources Council: Hard to Recycle Collection Events (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Resources Council
  • PRC’s 2026 Hard to Recycle collections were held across Allegheny County (and one in Butler County), with more to be announced. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A $5 fee per car covers unlimited disposal of batteries, computer equipment (towers, laptops, mice, keyboards, tablets) and other small electronics. Checked October 26, 2026.

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