I had to do some digging to find this information on the City of Pittsburgh website, so I thought I would repost here in case anyone else was looking for this info.
The city’s website is a little confusing and links to some outdated information. The information included here should be correct – if not, please let me know.I’ve added a section for other recycling options at the bottom. If you know of other places to recycle items that are not accepted by the city – please leave a comment below and I will update the list.
Curbside Recycling in the City of Pittsburgh
The city of Pittsburgh offers curbside recycling for homes and apartment buildings with 5 units or less.
Curbside recycling is picked up every-other week. The curbside recycling schedule is available here.
Drop Off Recycling Centers
If you aren’t eligible for curbside recycling or you need to drop off some extra recyclables – the city of Pittsburgh has several recycling drop-off centers.
| Drop-Off Centers | Hours | Notes |
| East End Drop-Off Center (West Homewood/East Liberty) North Dallas Ave. at Hamilton Ave. 412-665-3609 |
Monday through Friday8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.(except holidays) | |
| Hazelwood Drop-Off Center Melanchton Ave. off 5200 block of Second Ave.412-422-6524 |
Monday through Friday8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | |
| Knoxville Drop-Off Center – New Location 414 Bausman Street (off Mathews Ave)412-488-8341 |
Facility is open 24 hours/ day. | Open to residents, small businesses, bars and restaurants.Does NOT accept yard debris, scrap metal or tires. |
| West End Drop-Off Center Next to Herschel Field (from Steuben St., turn on Herschel St., turn right on Hassler St. and pass salt igloo) 412-937-3054 |
Monday through Friday8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | |
| Strip District Drop-Off Center (Bureau of Environmental Services) 31st & Railroad Streets (under the 31st Street bridge next to refuse collection offices)412-255-2773 |
Facility is open 24 hours/ day. | Open to small businesses, bars and restaurants.Does NOT accept yard debris, scrap metal or tires. |
| Construction Junction (Point Breeze)214 N. Lexington Ave. (off Penn Ave.) 412-243-5025. |
Facility is open during Construction Junction business hours. | Does NOT accept yard debris, scrap metal or tires. |
What Can You Recycle in the City of Pittsburgh?
| Recyclable Items | Drop-Off Center |
| ALL BOTTLES (Aluminum, Glass, Plastic) & Cans & Plastic Containers 1,2,3,4 & 5 | Accepted at all drop-off centers |
| NEWSPAPER (Tied or loose or in paper bag) |
Accepted at all drop-off centers |
| CORRUGATED CARDBOARD (Must be dry & flat) |
Accepted at all drop-off centers |
| MAGAZINES, CATALOGS & PAPERBOARD (Flatten ALL paperboard) |
Accepted at all drop-off centers |
| WHITE OFFICE (OR COPY) PAPER (Loose ONLY) |
Accepted at all drop-off centers |
| MIXED/COLORED PAPER & JUNK MAIL (Loose or in paper bag) |
Accepted at all drop-off centers |
| TELEPHONE BOOKS – (Loose ONLY) |
Accepted at all drop-off centers |
| YARD DEBRIS (grass clippings, hedges, tree clippings, shrubs, leaves) (Loose or in paper bag – No plastic bags) |
Accepted at Public Works drop-off centers ONLY (proof of city residency required when dropping off yard debris) |
| SCRAP METAL (Loose ONLY) |
Accepted at Public Works drop-off centers ONLY |
| SCRAP TIRES (Tires ONLY— No rims) |
Accepted at Public Works drop-off centers ONLY |
Other Recycling Options
- Bicycles – donate bicycles and bicycle parts to FreeRide, which is located around the corner from Construction Junction.
- Plastic bags and grocery bags – most Giant Eagle stores have a plastic bag recycling box outside of the store. The bag recycling box at the Shadyside Giant Eagle Market District is located in the parking garage.
Even more RECYCLING Information
