SPRINGFIELD --- Illinois EPA Doug Scott announced today that 10 household hazardous waste collection events have been scheduled to be held across the state this fall, starting Saturday, September 9.

 

“We estimate more than 12,000 households will be served through these events this fall,” said Director Scott.  “In partnership with local communities and organizations, this program gives Illinois homeowners the opportunity to dispose of common household products which are potentially hazardous to human health and the environment.”

 

The program, which began in 1988, has already served 358,945 households.  Since the program’s inception, 408 one-day events have been held, and 70,587 fifty-five gallon drums of toxic materials have been collected from Illinois citizens.

 

The collections give citizens the opportunity to safely dispose of unused or leftover household products commonly found in homes, basements and garages statewide. The materials are handled in an environmentally sound manner, diverting them from local area landfills.

 

“The program is beneficial not only to citizens who are able to get potentially harmful chemicals out of their homes; it also benefits the environment by keeping those chemicals out of landfills through various treatment technologies and recycling.” said Director Scott.  “This continues to be an extremely popular program, and we are grateful to Gov. Blagojevich for his support and dedication to the environment as well as to the Illinois General Assembly, and our local partners.”

 

Citizens are encouraged to bring, oil-based paints, thinners, chemical cleaners, old medicines, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, weed killers, insecticides, pesticides, adhesives, hobby chemicals, household batteries and similar products.  Fluorescent and other high-intensity discharge lamps may also be brought to the collections.  The public is encouraged to find alternative uses for latex paint since it is not considered hazardous.

 

Residents are also encouraged to bring mercury and mercury containing products such as fever thermometers, old thermostats and elemental mercury, as part of an initiative by Gov. Blagojevich and IEPA to reduce the amount of this hazardous material in our environment.

 

Items not accepted include explosives, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, medical waste, sharps, agricultural chemicals and all business wastes. Propane tanks, and lead acid auto batteries cannot be accepted at most of the events, but should be taken to local recyclers.

One-day collections are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on scheduled Saturdays

 

 

In addition, the following long-term facilities are available for disposal of household hazardous waste:

 

(Please phone ahead to determine availability and operating hours.)

For questions concerning the IEPA’s one-day or long-term collections, please call 217/785-8604.  The spring schedule and other collection information can also be found on the Agency’s web site: www.epa.state.il.us.  

 

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