Drop off e-waste and other hard-to-recycle items at two Allegheny County collection events in August

The Pennsylvania Resources Council is hosting two collection events for hard-to-recycle items in Allegheny County in August.

For a $5 dollar participant fee, residents can drop off electronic waste like cell phones and laptops, as well as Styrofoam, microwaves and video game consoles.

For an additional fee, residents can recycle televisions, fluorescent tube lights, tires and small appliances containing refrigerant, such as window air conditioning units.

Electronic waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. Items like computers, cell phones and televisions should be kept out of landfills, because they contain heavy metals such as mercury and lead, which are toxic to humans. These metals can leach out of landfills and contaminate soil and water, and pregnant women and children are especially vulnerable to the health effects from improperly recycled e-waste.

The Allegheny County events will take place August 2 at Elizabeth Forward Middle School in Elizabeth and August 23 at Boyce Park.

For a full list of items, and to register for a drop-off slot, visit the Pennsylvania Resources Council website.