Recycling Drop-Off Locations

As the City of Pittsburgh is working to reduce contamination at our drop-off centers, please follow some simple best practices and guidelines below:

• Place items loosely in the containers (dumpsters/roll-offs). This means no plastic bags! However, shredded paper must be contained in a paper bag and placed into a dumpster marked for "mixed paper" at one of the drop-off centers listed below.
• Flatten all cardboard before placing it into the recycling dumpster.
• Follow the clearly marked signs on each dumpster instructing what we accept.
• Do not place any loose plastic or metal lids or caps of any kind into our recycling dumpsters.

Good news! Now you can recycle more containers! As of January 2025, we are now accepting butter tubs, cottage cheese, yogurt, and sour cream containers in the recycling!

 

Recycling Contamination, and Why It Matters?

One of the biggest challenges facing recycling right now is contamination by wishful recycling or “wish-cycling”. This happens when non-recyclable objects are placed in the recycling bin with the wish it will be recycled. Additionally, recycling contamination occurs when food residue, liquids, and unacceptable materials—such as bagged recyclables, plastic bags, plastic films, plastic packaging, electronics, hazardous waste, Styrofoam, batteries, sharps, food waste, greasy pizza boxes, and other durable goods like Tupperware, storage containers, or even plastic hangers—are placed in the recycling can. Contaminants not only degrade the materials, boosting costs, but they can potentially cause harm to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and city employees.

 

While these items are not accepted at the drop-offs, please click here for waste disposal resources.

Recycling Drop-Off Locations

Notice!
Beltzhoover/Knoxville recycling drop-off location has been closed due to persistent illegal dumping.

Only three locations, at the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th divisions, accept yard debris, tires, and scrap metal. Only two (2) tires are allowed per day, per resident, for drop off and must have rims removed beforehand. Please place glass in the green roll-offs and scrap metal in the red roll-offs.

 

For yard debris, there is a $22.00 fee for cars, SUVs, pick-ups and vans with trailer. A $54.00 fee for Dump Trucks or Large Box Vans and prior approval from DPW Director is required. Payments must be made by check or money order only (no cash accepted). Checks are to be made out to Treasurer, City of Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh residents are encouraged to bring their glass bottles, jugs, and jars of 3 gallons or less to the Strip-District or Construction Junction drop-off locations. The Strip District drop-off does not accept yard debris, tires, and scrap metal. The Construction Junction drop-off does accept scrap metal, but does not accept yard debris or tires. 

last updated: 11/07/2025