Commercial Recycling

Commercial Recycling Resources and Tonnage Reporting Requirement

As spelled out by Pittsburgh City Waste & Recycling Code: §619.02(a) and §619.04(f), Allegheny County Solid Waste Code §570-17(a), and State Act 101, Section 904:

  • Recycling is mandatory in Pittsburgh
  • All businesses in Pittsburgh must establish a program to recycle at least three of the following types of materials:
    • Mixed Paper – White office paper, newspaper, magazines, hardcover/softcover books, catalogs, junk mail, phone books, paperboard, and flattened corrugated cardboard
    • Aluminum and steel – cans and bottles
    • Plastics – bottles, jugs, jars, and tubs
    • Glass – amber, green, and clear bottles, jugs and jars
    • Organic waste – leaves, garden residues, shrubbery, and tree trimming
  • The City is not able to service businesses and they are responsible for hiring a private collector for municipal waste and recyclables
  • Anyone collecting and transporting recyclable materials must track source, tonnages, and disposal, and make regular reports to local government
  • All recycling tonnages must be reported to the City’s Recycling Division on a quarterly or yearly basis (business’ preference)
    • Private haulers can provide the tonnage report to the City on behalf of their clients
  • The City of Pittsburgh applies for State funding with these cumulative report totals and is eligible for up to $10 for every ton recycled within city limits

Visit our webpage to see the waste and recycling code for the City of Pittsburgh in more detail.

Visit the webpage to see the waste and recycling code for Allegheny County in more detail.

Visit the Commonwealth of PA's webpage for more information about recycling statues and regulations.

Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's webpage to learn more detail about Section 904.

Reporting Deadlines and Methods and Tonnage Forms

Reporting data from 2025 has wrapped up, stay tuned for the 2026 reporting period starting January 2027!

 

Please submit completed Tonnage Report form to the City by:

Mail
Bureau of Environmental Services
Attention: Recycling Division
3001 Railroad Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Email
Recycling@PittsburghPA.gov

Fax
(412) 255-2452

Contact

Please contact Recycling@PittsburghPA.gov with any questions or if you believe your business should have reported for 2026. Thank you!

last updated: 03/31/2026

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