The Issue
Household hazardous waste (HHW) includes aerosol cans, automotive fluids, flammable materials, poisons, batteries, and similar items. If HHW is poured down household drains, flushed, dumped into storm drains, or thrown into the trash, these chemical products can contaminate water sources and potentially hurt people.
Solutions
Instead, use an approved hazardous waste collection or disposal facility. Permanent waste disposal facilities are open on select days and free of charge for Illinois residents. A list of accepted items is available on individual facility websites.
Permanent Disposal Locations
| Facility | Address | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Naperville Hazardous Waste Facility | 156 Fort Hill Drive Naperville, IL | Saturdays 9am-2pm Sundays 9am-2pm Phone: 630-420-6095 |
| Four Rivers Sanitation Authority | 3315 Kishwaukee St Rockford, IL | Saturdays 8am-4pm Sundays 12pm-4pm Phone: 779-348-7425 |
1150 North Branch St. Chicago, IL | Tuesday, 7 am–12 pm Thursday, 2–7 pm First Saturday of every month, 8 am–3 pm Phone: 312-744-3060 | |
| Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) | 1311 N. Estes St. Gurnee, IL | Appointment required. Schedule here. Phone: 847-377-4950 |
Other Recycling and Disposal Programs
- A list of local HHW recycling events can be found on the SCARCE website here.
- Check with your local government for scheduled collection events throughout the year.
- Waste Management and other garbage disposal services often offer HHW disposal programs. Check availability with your provider.
- Explore WM Household Hazardous Waste collection programs here.
Blog
Only Rain Goes Down the Drain to Protect Rivers
Remember that “only rain goes down the drain.” Make sure nothing is dumped into storm drains to protect clean water in local rivers.