News Releases - 2001

Household Hazardous Waste Collections Announced for Fall 2001

Springfield, Ill. -- The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will sponsor 15 household hazardous waste collections this fall between August 25 and November 17. Each of the one-day events will be held on a Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"We were again able increase in the number of collections to accommodate the increasing number of requests from communities," said Illinois EPA Director Tom Skinner. "During the 2001 legislative session, an additional $1 million in state funding was proposed for this fiscal year by Governor George H. Ryan and passed by the Illinois General Assembly. This has allowed us to increase the number of collections this fall to 15."

"These collections give citizens the opportunity to rid their homes of unused or leftover household products that are potentially harmful. Household hazardous waste reduction is an important component of our overall strategy to make Illinois' environment safer," Skinner said.

Citizens may bring motor oil, chemical cleaners, household batteries, oil-based paints, thinners, antifreeze, weed killers, insecticides and pesticides and similar household products. Although latex paints will be accepted, citizens are encouraged to find alternative uses since latex paints are not considered hazardous. Fluorescent and other high-intensity discharge lamps may also be brought to the collections. Items not accepted include auto batteries (which should be taken to local recyclers), explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, agricultural chemicals and all business wastes. An Illinois EPA contractor disposes of the wastes in an environmentally friendly manner.

The events are free to the public and are paid for by a portion of the statewide fees on landfilled solid waste along with the additional funding. The collections are conducted in partnership with local governments and other organizations.

The fall 2001 schedule is:

August 25: DuPage County

DuPage County Waste Water Treatment Plant, 7900 South Route 53, Woodridge, Cosponsor: DuPage County Solid Waste Division

September 8: Cook County

Village of Hoffman Estates Vehicle Maintenance, 2405 Pembroke Avenue, Hoffman Estates, Cosponsors: Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County and Village of Hoffman Estates

September 8: Stephenson County

Highland Community College, Parking Lot C Freeport, Cosponsor: City of Freeport

September 15: Cook County

Department of Public Works, 711 Laramie Wilmette, Cosponsors: Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County and Village of Wilmette

September 15: Champaign County

Chanute Air Base, (Ramp-side of Hanger 2) Rantoul, Cosponsor: Village of Rantoul

September 22: LaSalle County

LaSalle Co. Government Complex, 707 East Etna Road Ottawa, Cosponsor: LaSalle County Department of Environmental Services

September 29: Grundy County

Grundy County Building, 1320 Union Street, Cosponsor: Grundy County Office of Solid Waste Management

October 6: Vermilion County

Hoopeston High School, Route 1 (South of Hoopeston) Hoopeston, Cosponsors: Vermilion County Health Department and City of Hoopeston

October 13: Cook County

Maine (East) Township High School, District #207, 2601 Dempster Street Park Ridge, Cosponsors: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and City of Des Plaines

October 20: White County

White County Fairgrounds Carmi, Cosponsor: Egyptian Health Department

October 20: Saline County

Saline County Fairgrounds, North Main Street (Route 34 North) Harrisburg, Cosponsor: City of Harrisburg

October 27: Coles County

Coles County Airport Authority, 432 Airport Road Charleston, Cosponsor: Coles County

November 3: Marion County

Salem Business Center, 1300 South Broadway (Rt. 37) Salem, Cosponsor: City of Salem

November 3: Perry County

Perry County Highway Maintenance Yard, 3698 State Route 13/127 Pinckneyville, Cosponsor: Perry County Soil and Water Conservation District

November 17: Christian County

Pana City Garage, Elm & Almond, 600 Block Pana, Cosponsor: City of Pana

In addition, the following long-term facilities are available for disposal of household hazardous wastes. Please phone ahead to determine availability and hours.

Naperville:

1971 Brookdale Road, Fire Station #4, phone: 630/420-6700

Rockford:

3333 Kishwaukee, Rock River Reclamation District, phone: 815/967-6737

Related Information

• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program