Most people want to do the right thing and recycle, but sometimes it’s not easy. Outdated electronics, cans of oil-based paint, and piles of unwanted confidential documents take up valuable space in the basement or garage because you don’t know what to do with them. These things need to be discarded — but how?
There is confusion about recycling. Which things are considered household recycling and which are hazardous waste? You may be surprised to learn that nail polish is hazardous waste. Cellphones are hazardous waste, too. To add to the confusion, companies that pick up your household trash differ in what they accept: some take plastic containers marked 1 through 3 and others take 1 through 7. It’s no wonder people may be reluctant to recycle.
To help make it easier to get rid of your unwanted stuff, follow this list for electronics and hazardous waste recycling and shredding events through the fall in the Greater Philadelphia area. Events are either free or low-cost.
Note: Household batteries can be tossed with regular trash. However, for those with terminals on the same side (such as 6V, 9V or 12V) and button-cell batteries (used in watches, greeting cards and hearing aids), it is important to cover both ends with masking tape to reduce the risk of short-circuiting and fire. For the more common batteries (AA, AAA, C and D), cover the positive terminal (“+”) with masking tape.
Electronics Recycling
Following are permanent drop-off locations for four southeastern PA counties
(At the time of this post, no information for Bucks County was found).
Chester County
Chester County Solid Waste Authority accepts computers and peripherals at the Lanchester Landfill, 7224 28th Division Hwy — Contact Narvon at 610-273-3771
South East Chester County Refuse Authority
219 Street Road, West Grove 19390 — Contact Dawn Robinson at 610-869-2452 (ext. 11)
West Chester Borough
205 Lacey Street, West Chester 19382 — Contact Meghan Fogarty at 610-696-5282
Delaware County
Marple Township offers free electronic recycling to residents at:
Marple Township
446 Marpit Rd. Bromall 19008 — Contact Joe Romano at 610-356-4040
Springfield Township offers free electronic recycling to residents at:
Springfield Delco Public Works
1258 Church Rd., Springfield 19064 — Contact Jeff Bickel at 610-543-2837
Police Court Yard 24/7 or Public Works Facility 7 am – 3:30 pm
Montgomery County
Cheltenham Township – Residents can recycle electronics at:
Cheltenham Township Public Works Facility
8101 Old York Rd., Elkins Park 19027 — Contact William Ferrari at 215-635-4600
Mon. to Fri. 8 am – 3:30 pm, Sat. 10 am – 2 pm
East Greenville Recycling Center
620 West Side Alley, Pennsburg 18073 — 215-679-5194
Mon. to Fri. 7:30 am – 3:30 pm, Sat. 8 am – 12 pm
Lower Merion Township residents can recycle electronics at:
Robert J. Koegel Public Works Complex
1300 N. Woodbine Ave., Penn Valley 19072
Contact Joseph Przybyszewski at 610-667-1952
Mon. to Fri. 8 am – 3 pm, Sat. 9 am – 2:30 pm
Philadelphia County
Computers, monitors, TVs, cellphones and other e-waste are accepted at all HHW locations for residents only. Sanitation Convenience Centers are open Monday through Saturday, 8 am – 6 pm except City holidays. Click here for more info. See locations below.
West Philadelphia
5100 Grays Ave., 215-685-2600
Strawberry Mansion
2601 W. Glenwood Ave., 215-685-3981
Southwest Philadelphia
3033 S. 63rd St., near Passyunk Avenue, 215-685-4290
Northwest Philadelphia
300 block Domino Lane, near Umbria Street, 215-685-2502
Northeast Philadelphia
State Rd. & Ashburner Street, 215-685-8072
In addition –
Best Buy accepts most electronics and large appliances from residential customers at no charge.
Staples offers free technology recycling.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
- Some typical acceptable HHW items:
Oil based paint
Weed Killer
Paint thinner
Fungicide
Varnish
Pesticide
Kerosene
Cell phones
Gasoline
CFL bulbs
Nail polish
Motor oil
Antifreeze
Items containing mercury (including thermometers)
Ni-Cad, lithium, rechargeable, lead acid batteries
- Items not acceptable:
Medical Waste
Explosives
Ammunition
Large Appliances
Helium tanks
Radioactive Waste
Tires
Appliances containing Freon
Latex paint: for proper disposal, remove the lid, let latex paint dry completely and then toss with your regular trash. If there is too much paint, and it will not dry out, you may need to pour some into a larger container, or add kitty litter.
HHW events are from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday, July 11
Spring-Ford 9th Grade Center (Montgomery County), 400 South Lewis Road, Royersford
Thursday, July 16
Streets Department Training Center (City of Philadelphia), 8401 State Rd. at Ashburner St., Philadelphia
Saturday, July 25
Central Bucks South High School (Bucks County), 1100 Folly Rd. Warrington
(enter off Pickertown Rd.)
Saturday, August 8
Abington Middle School (Montgomery County), 2056 Susquehanna Road, Abington
Saturday, August 15
Quakertown High School (Bucks County), 600 Park Ave., Quakertown
Saturday, August 22
Bucks County Technical High School (Bucks County), 610 Wistar Rd., Fairless Hills, (Bristol Township)
Saturday, September 12
Oxford School District Administration Bldg. (Chester County),125 Bell Tower Lane, Oxford
Saturday, September 19
Streets Department 3rd District Highway Yard (City of Philadelphia), 22nd St. & York St., Philadelphia
Sunday, September 20
Penn State University-Brandywine Campus (Delaware County), 25 Yearsley Mill Rd (Route #352), Media
Saturday, October 10
Streets Dept. Facility (City of Philadelphia), 3033 South 63rd St. (NW of Passyunk Ave.), Philadelphia
Government Services Center (Chester County), 601 Westtown Rd., West Chester
Saturday, October 17
Emergency Services Training Center (Delaware County), 1700 Calcon Hook Rd., Sharon Hill (Darby Twp.)
Sunday, October 18
Lower Merion Twp Public Works (Montgomery County), 1300 N. Woodbine Ave.(Lower Merion Twp.), Penn Valley
Saturday, November 7
Streets Department Northeast Facility (City of Philadelphia), 3901 Delaware Ave. (between Castor & Lewis, near Allegheny exit of I-95), Philadelphia
Shredding Events: There is no need to remove paper clips or staples.
Saturday, July 18, 2015, 10:00 – 12:00
Bryn Mawr Trust, Swarthmore Office, 330 Dartmouth Avenue, Swarthmore 19081
(610-328-9998)
Bryn Mawr Trust, Bala Cynwyd Office, 135 E. City Avenue, Bala Cynwyd 19004
(610-664-6293)
Saturday, August 15, 9:00 – 12:00
Montgomery County Commissioners, Abington Junior High School, 2056 Susquehanna Road, Abington (Montco residents only)
http://www.shredone.com/shredding-services/community-shredding-events
Saturday, September 19
Inspire Federal Credit Union, Oxford Valley Mall, 2300 E. Lincoln Hwy Langhorne http://www.titanshredding.com/Community-Shredding-Services.aspx
11:00 – 1:00
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, 12800 Townsend Road, Philadelphia
Saturday, September 26, 9:00 – 11:00
First National Bank & Trust of Newtown, Bucks County Community College
272 Swamp Rd., Newtown
http://www.titanshredding.com/Community-Shredding-Services.aspx
Saturday, October 3, 9:00 – 11:00
Middletown Township, 3 Municipal Way, Langhorne 19047 http://www.titanshredding.com/Community-Shredding-Services.aspx
Sunday, October 4, 9:00 – 12:00
Montgomery County Commissioners, Lower Merion Transfer Station, 1300 North Woodbine Avenue, Penn Valley (Montgomery County residents only)
http://www.shredone.com/shredding-services/community-shredding-events
Saturday, October 17, 9:00 – 11:30
Merck, Sharp & Dohme Federal Credit Union, Harleysville Branch, 665 Main Street, Harleysville
http://www.titanshredding.com/Community-Shredding-Services.aspx
9:00 – 12:00
Abington Township Public Works, 2201 Florey Lane Abington (residents only)
Monthly Community Shredding Events by Titan Shredding
First Friday of Every Month — 8:30 – 9:30
Bailiwick Office Park, 252 West Swamp Road (Rt 313 & Rt 611 Bypass), Doylestown
Second Tuesday of Every Month — 8:30 – 9:30
Upper Moreland Twp. Library, 117 Park Avenue (off Rt. 611 in Police Dept. parking lot), Willow Grove
Third Thursday of Every Month — 12:00 – 1:00
Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley
NOTICE FROM TITAN: Titan Mobile Shredding events may be cancelled due to inclement weather. Call 267-362-4249 with questions, $10 for each copy paper box or equivalent (cash or check), one box minimum, no maximum box quantity, no reservation required.
More events probably will be added in the fall so check your sources for local information. Some politicians host shredding events, so you can also contact your elected officials.
You are encouraged to recycle and shred whenever possible. If you need other options, search online to locate events. Find out the regulations and disposal methods in your area by contacting your trash hauler or local government office.
Every effort is made to ensure accuracy of the information provided. Please verify dates, times, residency requirements, fees, quantity limits and what’s acceptable before going. There may be more events than these so you may want to check other sources.
We thank you for your participation. It feels good to do good!
About the Author
Having knowledge on proper waster disposal and reduction is necessary especially nowadays that there are a lot of electronics being thrown anywhere. We should work hand in hand to resolve this matter.
I’m grateful for the information provided. It addresses the challenges and confusion surrounding recycling, offering clarity on items like electronics and hazardous waste