Pittsburgh City Council to Introduce New E-Waste Recycling Bill

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Pittsburg City Council is to introduce today, a new bill to open up new avenues for recycling of electronic and hazardous waste. The bill will provide options to residents for cost-effective recycling of electronic waste such as televisions and computers, which are banned from state landfills by law.

Under the terms of the new legislation, the City Department of Public Works will enter into a contract with the certified e-waste recycler Environmental Coordination Services & Recycling Inc. (ECS&R). The contract value is estimated at around $210,000.

The partnership will offer curbside recycling and collection at drop-off locations for used electronic items and household hazardous waste including paint and chemicals. The drop-off site would be located at the DPW facility at 3001 Railroad Street in the Strip District, which will be open to residents on every Wednesday and Sunday. Furthermore, neighborhood collection and recycling events will also be scheduled around the city.

According to the bill provisions, the residents would be charged a disposal fee of 40 cents per pound for televisions and computers.

The legislation introduced by Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith and former Councilman Dan Gilman, has the support of Mayor Bill Peduto. If approved, the recycling services will be started as early as January 2019.

The proponents of the bill claimed that it is immensely beneficial for Pittsburg residents and its neighborhoods, as it promises to cut down illegal dumping of electronic and chemical waste which contains toxic heavy metals.