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 and jars
  • 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  
  • List of Commercial Recycling Haulers (Updated 8/23/2022)   
• 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

Please contact Alicia Carberry or Omoye Aikhuele at Recycling@PittsburghPA.gov with any questions. Thank you!