Everyday, hazardous chemicals, heavy metals and other undesirable materials find their way into landfills and garbage dumps. Many of these items come directly from homes; common items like CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps), batteries, car/truck oil, pool chemicals, propane tanks, and expired medications. Each one of these household items makes life easier, but at the end of their usefulness, they must be disposed of properly. By just throwing these items in the garbage, the land, ground water, and even wildlife suffer; possibly for many generations to come. Many of these HHWs can be disposed of safely and close to home. The regional drop-off facility is next to the Naperville Public Works Service Center at 156 Fort Hill Drive in Naperville. The facility is open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Contact DuPage County at (630) 407-6700 for more information.

Recycling, HHW & Rx Disposal
Recycling, HHW & Rx Disposal - Spanish

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Freecycle is an organization that links people wanting to get rid of everyday items with those who would like to have these items. So instead of finding their way to landfills, things like bicycles, couches, or even grills, find their way to new homes…for FREE. Remember to be responsible and safe in all transactions.

Effective January 1, 2012, the statewide Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act prohibits residents from disposing of items such as computers, monitors, printers, televisions, fax machines, recorders, mp3 players, video consoles, DVD players, computer accessories, scanners, digital convert boxes, cable receivers, satellite receivers, DVRs, or small scale servers by placing them at the curb.

Did you know that you can dispose of small electronics, cell phones, inkjet cartridges and toner cartridges at the local post office? Free postage paid mail back envelopes can be found on display in the lobby. Contents must weigh less than 13 ounces and the envelope must seal completely. For information on recycling batteries, visit either the EAC’s Programs & Projects page or www.Earth911.com.

Many electronics retailers are now accepting these items, however fees may be applied. Throughout DuPage County, there are several free drop-off locations as part of DuPage County’s Electronics Recycling Program. A list of the locations and their hours of operation can be found on the County’s website at:
www.dupageco.org/EDP/Waste_Recycling_and_Energy/1549.

For information on recycling #6 or old medicine and other products visit DuPage County's SCARCE at www.scarceecoed.org.

Even though a product like Styrofoam may have a #6 with the recycling symbol on it, the City's waste hauler is unable to recycle it. But instead of putting it in the trash, there are recycling options. There is a local drop off location in North Aurora that accepts most #6 products. This location is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information on the drop off location, what is accepted, and how to dispose of the #6 items, review the link below.

#6 Recycling