PA Environment Digest Blog: PA Resources Council Reaches Milestone Of Responsibly Managing 6 Million Pounds Of Household Chemicals In Southwest PA

Thursday, April 14, 2022

PA Resources Council Reaches Milestone Of Responsibly Managing 6 Million Pounds Of Household Chemicals In Southwest PA

The Pennsylvania Resources Council-- a statewide environmental organization dedicated to reducing waste-- celebrates a milestone in 2022 as it launches the 20th season of hosting household chemical collection events: responsibly managing 6 million pounds of chemical products dropped off by residents of southwestern Pennsylvania.

“A typical home contains 100 pounds of hazardous chemicals, according to the EPA, and while many of these products are safe, problems arise when you use or dispose of them improperly,” says PRC Executive Director Darren Spielman. “At each event, a certified contractor processes the materials for proper disposal. Materials are recycled or safely managed.”

Since launching household chemical collection events in 2003, PRC and its partners have collected 6 million pounds of cleaners, paints, stains, automotive fluids, pesticides and other products from 60,000+ households during 100+ collections.

In 2022, PRC will host nine events in five counties:

-- April 16: PPG Paints Arena surface parking lots, Allegheny County

-- April 30: Bradys Run Park, Beaver County

-- May 7: North Park, Allegheny County

-- May 21: Concurrent Technologies Corp. ETF Facility, Johnstown, Cambria County

-- June 18: Fayette County Recycling Convenience Center, Fayette County

-- June 25: Wild Things Park, Washington County

-- August 20: Boyce Park, Allegheny County

-- September 10: South Park, Allegheny County

-- October 8: Bradys Run Park, Beaver County

Participants must register in advance at PRC’s Collection Events webpage or by calling 412-488-7490x1.

“While the majority of materials dropped off at collections are common products such as automotive fluids, paints and cleaning products, we have received strychnine, liquid mercury and bags of DDT,” says Spielman. “We are proud of our 20 years of hard work protecting the environment from hazardous waste – safeguarding habitats and communities. We thank the many supporters over the past two decades who have helped PRC to serve more than 60,000 households, and we look forward to serving many more in communities across the state in the future.”

2022 Sponsors

The 2022 PRC household chemical collection campaign is sponsored by Allegheny County Health Department, Allegheny County Parks Department, Beaver County Commissioners, Cambria County Solid Waste Authority, Fayette County Commissioners, Fayette County Conservation District, Washington County Planning Commission, Colcom Foundation, LANXESS, PA Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania American Water, PPG and Pittsburgh Penguins, UPMC, Concurrent Technologies Corporation, Fayette County Recycling Convenience Center, PPG Paints Arena, Washington Wild Things, Washington County Family Entertainment, and 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources Council website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them on Facebook. Click Here for PRC’s Events Calendar. Click Here to support their work.

PRC is Pennsylvania’s oldest grassroots environmental organization founded in 1939. PRC has worked to protect resources for future generations through environmental education, recycling, waste diversion programs, anti-litter campaigns and other initiatives.

NewsClips:

-- TribLive: Tired Of Tires, Scout Troop Cleans Up Woods In North Huntingdon

-- Centre Daily Times: Penn State’s First Waste Reduction, Recycling Program Manager HAs Big Goals For New Role

--TribLive: Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban In Pittsburgh To Start In 2023

-- TribLive Editorial: Does Pittsburgh Plastic Bag Ban Steal Other Municipalities’ Choices?

-- WHYY: Haverford Bans Plastic Bags As More Main Line Communities Look To Do The Same