Lower Burrell’s drive-thru hazardous waste recycling set for May 8

After canceling special waste collections during the pandemic last year, Lower Burrell will hold a drive-thru hazardous household waste recycling dropoff in May.

Household hazardous wastes include flammable products, paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, drain cleaners, batteries, motor oil and more.

The event will be held Saturday, May 8, at Lower Burrell City Hall.

Reservations are required. They can be made online at nobleenviro.com or by calling 412-567-6566.

“The city is very excited that we are able to once again provide our recycling events after having to postpone some due to construction and covid-19 guidelines,” said Amy Rockwell, city administrator. Lower Burrell is bringing in Noble Environmental of Pittsburgh for the recycling event.

Recycling fees for Lower Burrell’s event: Non-video display electronics, 30 cents per pound; Freon-containing devices, 40 cents per pound; televisions and monitors, 50 cents per pound; paint, $1.10 per pound; and universal waste — bulbs, batteries, etc. — $1.30 per pound.

The fee for general household waste is $1.50 per pound for chemicals, paint, workshop products, automotive products, cleaning products, lawn and garden products, pesticides, car batteries, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, flammables and more.

Prohibited items include explosives, ammunition, radioactive materials, large appliances, pharmaceuticals, syringes, medical waste, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, mercury containing devices and tires.

Waste organizations nationally have reported there is a backlog of residential hazardous waste because of the cancellation of special recycling events. Such is the case in Lower Burrell.

In addition, households are producing an increasing amount of hazardous waste because homeowners have been renovating and cleaning up their garages during the covid-19 pandemic, according to the Wastedive website.

The website noted similar trends with other collection groups across the country that have experienced scaled-back collections during the pandemic, coupled with a surge of hazardous materials from households.