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
Reporting Deadlines and Methods and Tonnage Forms
The submission deadline for 2023 Annual Report forms is Friday, March 29, 2024.
Quarterly –or- Annual (business’ preference) Recycling Tonnage Report Form – fillable PDF(PDF, 298KB)
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. Thank you!
last updated: 04/04/2025