News Releases - 2000

Household Hazardous Waste Collections Announced

Springfield -- The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will sponsor five household hazardous waste collection days between April 29 and July 8.

The events, each held on a Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., will be held in Dixon, Glenview, Clinton, Palos Hills and Deerfield.

“In partnership with local governments and other organizations, Governor Ryan and Illinois EPA are pleased to be sponsoring these additional events where citizens can rid their homes of unused or leftover household products that are potentially harmful," said Illinois EPA Director Tom Skinner. "Household hazardous waste reduction is an important component of our overall strategy to make Illinois’ environment safer.”

Since 1990, more than 200,000 households have participated in 217 events, with more than 41,000 drums of material collected. A contractor hired by Illinois EPA correctly disposes of all the wastes dropped off at the sites. Citizens may bring harsh chemical cleaners, paints, thinners, antifreeze, weed killers, insecticides and pesticides and similar household products. Fluorescent and other high-intensity discharge lamps may also be brought to the collections. Items not accepted include used motor oil and auto batteries (which should be taken to local recyclers), explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, agricultural chemicals and all business wastes.

The events are free to the public and are paid for by a portion of the statewide fees on landfilled solid waste and local agency contributions.

Governor George H. Ryan has proposed an additional $1 million in state funding for the fiscal year starting July 1 to increase the number of collections. Illinois EPA estimates that would allow up to 10 additional collections in the next fiscal year.

The Spring 2000 schedule is:

April 29: Dixon (Lee County), Dixon High School on Lincoln Statue Drive. Co-sponsored by the Lee County Office of Solid Waste Management and the Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department.

May 20: Glenview (Cook County), Wheeling Township Transfer Station on Three Providence Drive. Co-sponsored by Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County.

June 3: Clinton (DeWitt County), Clinton High School on Route 54 West. Co-sponsored by DeWitt County Soil and Water Conservation District.

June 10: Palos Hills (Cook County), Moraine Valley Community College at 10900 South 88^th Avenue. Co-sponsored by Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Village of Palos Hills, Southwest Council of Local Governments, and Moraine Valley community College.

July 8: Deerfield (Lake County), Deerfield High School at 1959 Waukegan Road. Co-sponsored by Solid Waste Agency of Lake County.