PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Got electronics junk that you can’t leave with your regular trash? No problem.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council announced Monday that it will continue a pilot program to collect broken electronics for recycling Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout October. Folks looking to offload their busted tech can take it to one of two Michael Brothers Hauling & Recycling locations: Either in the North Hills at 408 Hoffman Road in Reserve, or in the South Hills at 672 Horning Road in Bethel Park.

The program, launched last spring, was lauded as an extreme success.

“The response to our spring weekday disposal opportunity was impressive and certainly reinforced the notion that people truly want to responsibly dispose of electronics,” said PRC Recycling Operations Specialist Josh Schuneman in a press release. 

He added that 20,452 pounds of TVs, computers and other electronics were collected in just 32 hours — that’s more than 600 pounds of electronics dropped off per hour of operation.

All individuals attending a weekday collection will pay a $5 participant fee, which will cover the cost of disposing of cell phones, home phones, computer towers, video game consoles, DVD players and “peripheral equipment” like keyboards, laptops and mice.

For larger, harder-to-get-rid-of equipment, other fees will apply. All computer monitors, flat screen and CRT, will run you $20; televisions will cost $30 each; console or rear projection TVs are $40 apiece; and printers will cost you an additional $5. 

The e-waste program can’t accept batteries, compact fluorescent lights and media (VHS, DVDs or cassette tapes), appliances or tires, but its website recommends visiting a Batteries Plus Bulbs location to recycle batteries. For appliances or tires, participants are encouraged to register for an upcoming Hard-to-Recycle collection.

You’ll have to register for the e-waste program in advance, too, either by visiting its website or by calling 412-488-7490×1. 

All in attendance must also follow a set of guidelines aimed at keeping participants and workers safe from COVID-19.

“In addition to the advance registration process, PRC is integrating on-site procedures to reduce the number of interactions occurring between event participants and staff to promote safety,” said Schuneman. “To streamline the process at our events, we ask participants to place all materials in their car trunks or truck beds and then stay in their vehicles while the contractor unloads the materials.”

Other precautions include mandatory masking, remaining inside your vehicle to enable social distancing and paying with credit or debit cards to reduce physical contact.

A full schedule of collection events at both locations can be found below:

NORTH HILLS
Michael Brothers Hauling & Recycling, 408 Hoffman Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

• Tuesday, Oct. 5, from Noon – 3 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 7, from 2 – 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 12, from Noon – 3 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 14, from 2 – 5 p.m.

SOUTH HILLS
Michael Brothers Hauling & Recycling, 672 Horning Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236

• Tuesday, Oct. 19, from Noon – 3 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 21, from 2 – 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 26, from Noon – 3 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 28, from 2 – 5 p.m.