Microwave Recycling in Pittsburgh, PA

PRC’s Hard to Recycle collections take microwaves for $5 each.

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Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check

2 ways to get rid of a microwave in Pittsburgh

Tap an option to see the address, hours, cost and rules.

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · PittsburghNo haulingWe recycle it for youFrom $90.00
How it works
Book online, set out your microwave and we’ll pick it up and recycle it for you. You see your price before you book and pay only after pickup.
Book a pickup →
Pennsylvania Resources Council Hard to Recycle collections (southwestern PA)Nonprofit service · Allegheny County$5
How it works
Pennsylvania Resources Council runs drive-through Hard to Recycle collections each year, mostly in Allegheny County (2026: Harmar, McKeesport, Boyce Park, Settlers Cabin, Leetsdale and Pittsburgh, plus Karns City in Butler County). Per-item fees: TVs $35 ($45 projection/console), monitors $20, printers and microwaves $5, car tires $6 ($14 on rim); a $5 per-car fee covers unlimited computers, batteries and small electronics. Register at prc.org or call 412-488-7490.
Cost & rules
Fees
Microwave $5
- Annual drive-through events; register in advance at prc.org or 412-488-7490.
Official page (opens in new tab)

Fees
Microwave	$5

Before you go

Remove the glass turntable; some operators can’t take the glass.
Ask whether it’s priced as an appliance or as electronics.

More about microwaves

Pennsylvania rules

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. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
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. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)

More Pennsylvania rules (16)

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. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
Mandated programs must have a scheduled curbside (or similar) collection day for separated materials at least once a month. Source: Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Act 101 of 1988 (P.L. 556) (opens in new tab)
Statewide recycling began in 1988 with Act 101, which requires larger municipalities to recycle. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
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. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
Act 101 set a $2-per-ton fee on waste disposed at municipal waste landfills and waste-to-energy facilities, funding local recycling grants. Source: PA DEP: Recycling in Pennsylvania (opens in new tab)
For curbside recycling details, DEP tells residents to contact their local hauler or municipality. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
For bulky items, DEP tells residents to contact their refuse hauler, or their county recycling coordinator if they have no hauler. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)
Some haulers and municipalities run curbside collection for special wastes restricted from regular trash (electronics, HHW, tires); each has its own requirements and costs. Source: PA DEP: Special Waste Materials Curbside Collection Programs (opens in new tab)
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. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
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. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs (opens in new tab)
Contact the program before dropping off HHW to learn what it accepts and when it operates. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs (opens in new tab)
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. Source: PA DEP: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
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. Source: PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab)
Act 190 allows 50% funding for HHW collection programs run by municipalities and non-profits. Source: PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab)
Very small quantity generators (businesses making under 100 kg of hazardous waste a month) can use registered HHW programs like households. Source: PA DEP: Apply to Establish a Municipal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (opens in new tab)
If no HHW services are available in your area, DEP says to contact your county recycling coordinator. Source: PA DEP: Recycling and Disposal (Residents) (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (21)

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.
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 (opens in new tab) · Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- 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.
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.
- Microwaves are $5 each. 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
- 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.

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