Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collections are conducted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and are available to all Illinois residents. The IEPA provides information on their collection program, along with a complete schedule of upcoming collection events. For questions about the IEPA's one-day or long-term collections, please call the Waste Reduction Unit at (217) 524-3300. For more information, watch a video on how to manage paint and household chemicals.
Below are the facilities available for the disposal of HHW and a list of the types of products they do and do not accept. Please contact locations to confirm hours and a complete list of acceptable materials. Business waste is not accepted at these facilities.
Acceptable Materials
Aerosol Paints
Antifreeze
Cleaning Products
Drain Cleaners
Fluorescent Bulbs
Gasoline
Herbicides
Hobby Chemicals
Insecticides
Lawn Chemicals
Medications
Mercury
Oil-based Paint
Paint Thinners
Pesticides
Pool Chemicals
Solvents
Used Motor Oil
Unacceptable Materials
Agricultural Waste
Business/Commercial Waste
Explosives
Farm Machinery Oil
Fire Extinguishers
Fireworks
Institutional Waste
Latex Paint
Lead Acid Batteries
Medical Waste
Propane Tanks (accepted at some locations)
Smoke Detectors
Drop-Off Locations
Please contact facilities before dropping off materials.
Chicago's Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility
1150 N North Branch Street
Tuesdays: 7:00 am to 12:00 pm
Thursdays: 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
1st Saturday of the month: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
(312) 744-3060
chicago.gov
NO LATEX PAINT
Also accepts computer materials, small fire extinguishers, and propane tanks.
Naperville Household Hazardous Waste Facility
156 Fort Hill Drive
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday
(630) 420-6095
naperville.il.us
NO LATEX PAINT
Also accepts batteries, peanut oil, propane tanks (20 pounds or less), and asbestos materials (in a size that will fit in a 55-gallon drum; not in excess of 50 pounds).
Solid Waste Agency of Lake County
By appointment only on several Saturdays of each month plus mobile events
1311 N. Estes Street, Gurnee
(847) 377-4950
swalco.org
NO LATEX PAINT
Rockford Rock River Reclamation District
3333 Kishwaukee Street
8:00 am - 4:00 pm Sat
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Sun
(815) 387-7400
rockfordil.gov
NO LATEX PAINT
WHAT DO I DO WITH LATEX PAINT?
REDUCE
First and foremost, think before you buy paint or any household product for that matter! Do not purchase more paint than you will need and make sure that you have the right color. Also be sure to ask for “environmentally-friendly” or no/low VOC paint to reduce your exposure to harsh chemical fumes.
Then, use up what you buy – cover areas with a second coat of paint or find something else to paint, for instance - use the paint as a base coat on a basement floor or outdoor fence. When finished, remove the lid and let the can dry out and dispose of it in your regular garbage. Be sure to leave the lid off so that your hauler knows the can is empty.
REUSE
Try to donate good left-over paint to an area high school, local theater troupe, church, etc. Or, if you have a significant amount of good paint to be reused, see SWANCC's Reuse and Recycling Directory for donation locations.
RECYCLE
If your latex paint is not usable and you are unable to dry it out yourself, see SWANCC's Reuse and Recycling Directory for recycling locations.
DISPOSAL: HOW TO DRY OUT LATEX PAINT
In a protected and well-vented area (garage or basement), away from children and pets, remove the lid and allow paint to naturally dry out over a period of time. This method works best if the can is less than ¼ full. For fuller cans, mix shredded newspaper, kitty litter or a hardware store-bought waste paint hardener to the paint can and allow it to absorb and dry out over a period of time.