Recycling FAQs

According to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, single-use Alkaline batteries AAA, AA, C, D 6v & 9v are classified as "non-hazardous" and may be safely disposed with household trash. When possible, recycle Alkaline batteries to recover metals including zinc, manganese, brass and steel.

Lithium Primary and rechargeable Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMh), and Lithium-Ion batteries contain mercury and other heavy metals and according to the IEPA, should be recycled.   These batteries are found in cordless electronics like power tools, laptop and tablet computers, cell and cordless phones, as well as some toys, power banks, home security alarms, cordless vacuums, toothbrushes, and other devices that are plugged in an outlet to recharge the battery.

Because single-use Alkaline and Lithium batteries look amazingly similar, the best way to know is to read the label.  To eliminate the risk of generating a spark that can cause a fire, before taking batteries to a recycling drop-off put clear packaging tape around the terminal ends of lithium primary AA, AAA, 9V, and D batteries, place coin cell batteries on clear packaging tape in a line on the top and bottom (like a sandwich), or place individual lithium and coin cell batteries in separate plastic baggies.

Call2Recycle partners with retail stores such as Best Buy, Home Depot and Lowes that accept lithium primary and rechargeable batteries only – NO alkaline batteries!  Go to call2recycle.org/locator to find a location and for more information. 

SWANCC sponsors a program for batteries.  Check with your Village/City to see if they collect these items from residents.

Here are the basic recycling guidelines for curbside programs in SWANCC communities.  Check with your village or city for updates.

To prepare your items for recycling:

• Empty and rinse bottles, cans and containers to remove food or beverage residue
• Place only approved items in the cart.
• Do not “bag” recyclables – put them in the outside cart loose.
• Put caps back on plastic bottles and jugs – DO NOT crush!
• Flatten boxes and place inside your cart.
• Remove wax bags from food boxes (such as cereal or cracker boxes).
• Labels can remain on jars/bottles and plastic windows on envelopes.
• Keep the lid on your recycling cart closed at all times to keep materials dry.

There are four very important words to remember:  Empty – Clean – Loose – Dry!

There are a number of local, no-cost opportunities for residents to safely dispose of their unwanted and expired medications.

Medications:

The Cook County Sheriff Department’s Prescription Drug Take Back offers its residents year-round drop-offs at secure Collection Boxes at:

• Local police departments/public safety buildings
• District court houses
• The County Building
• Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s locations

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) partners with local Police Departments to host a fall and spring Drug Take-Back Day.

Many Walgreens and CVS pharmacies provide an in-store disposal kiosk that are available during pharmacy hours. The types of medications accepted include prescription medications and other items. 

SWANCC sponsors a program for non-controlled pill medications.  Residents should visit their respective community’s website or call their municipal recycling coordinator for details.

Sharps:

SWANCC sponsors a Sharps Collection Program for member-community residents that administer home injections and provides industry regulation containers to store needles at home.  The Agency contracts with a permitted company to pick up the needles from participating communities for safe disposal.  Residents should visit their respective community’s website or call their municipal recycling coordinator for details.

If you do not live in a SWANCC member community, the U.S EPA recommends that home sharps users store their needles in a thick-plastic, puncture-proof container with a tight-fitting lid, such as a detergent bottle.  Residents are asked to write on the bottle with a permanent marker, “Sharps” – “Do Not Recycle!”  After filling the bottle with used needles, heavy duty tape should secure the lid and the bottle thrown in the garbage. 

NEVER put sharps into the recycling cart.  Home sharps users need to be mindful to keep the storage container out of the reach of children and pets.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and fluorescent light tubes contain mercury and should not be thrown away in the garbage.  They are accepted at IEPA-sponsored Household Hazardous Waste sites for recycling.  Find other locations on SWANCC's Reuse and Recycling Directory .

Visit your community’s website or call the City/Village recycling coordinator to see if there is a provision in the municipal recycling contract to have electronics picked up at your door. Non-tube televisions, monitors, and other electronics and can be taken to retailers such as Abt Electronics in Glenview, Best Buy, or Goodwill for recycling.  Please call to verify your items will be accepted and if there will be a fee. 

SWANCC provides year-round and seasonal Electronics Recycling drop-off locations, as well as one-day events during the spring, summer and fall.  There is a limit of 7 items per household and drop-off locations will be closed on National Holidays and in severe weather. Residents of a SWANCC-member community may utilize any of the Agency’s options.

There are two basic types of house paints, latex and oil.  Latex paint is water based that does not contain hazardous chemicals and can be dried out and thrown away in the garbage cart – with lid off so the hauler knows the paint is completely dried.  There are also programs that charge a fee to recycle latex paint - listed in SWANCC’s Reuse and Recycling Directory.

Oil-based paint contains harmful chemicals and needs to be taken to an Illinois Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW). 

Polystyrene, known as Styrofoam, is made into two types; (1) expanded white blocks for packaging and (2) rigid which is clear for cups, cutlery, clam shells and more. Abt Electronics in Glenview only accepts white block Styrofoam, and the Dart Corporation in Chicago and Aurora accepts a variety of Styrofoam products.  Each business is listed in SWANCC’s Reuse and Recycling Directory.

Propane Tanks

Propane tanks, also called propane cylinders, are commonly used to fuel stoves, grills, and water heaters. Propane tanks are made of recyclable steel and copper. But due to the gas and pressure inside, these tanks cannot be recycled with your other curbside recycling or thrown in the garbage. If any gas is left in the tank, it could cause a fire or explosion at the landfill. You should not open a tank to let the rest of the gas leak out because it’s highly flammable. These pressurized containers are not welcomed in the trash because they create a potential hazard of explosions or fires in compactor trucks – and definitely not recyclable in the curbside cart.

So, what are your options?

• Get your tank refilled at the point of purchase.
  
  
• If the tank is no longer needed, take it back where you got it.
  
  
• Many Walgreens, Walmart, and Ace Hardware locations offer trade-in or disposal/recycling programs.
  
  
• Take smaller propane tanks to a household hazardous waste facility – visit websites for details.

Chicago HHW
1150 N. North Branch Street
Tues: 7 am to noon
Thurs: 2 pm to 7 pm
First Sat. of each month: 8am to 3 pm

Naperville HHW
156 Fort Hill Drive
Sat: 9 am to 2 pm
Sun: 9 am to 2 pm

• Contact a local propane specialized recycler, such as AmeriGas.

AmeriGas
522 South Vermont St
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 359-6450

For a large, bulk propane tank at a home or business, contact a licensed propane company, such as your propane supplier for removal. They’ll be able to safely purge any remaining propane from the tank. They’ll also have the specialized tools to remove the tank safely.

Helium Tanks

Helium tanks can be dangerous if not properly prepared for recycling. Helium tanks, much like propane tanks or fire extinguishers, contain pressurized gas that can explode if handled incorrectly. This is unlikely to happen around your house, but if a full helium tank goes into the back of a compactor truck it can blow up, hurting or even killing sanitation workers.

Steps to Take:

• Ask yourself, “Are balloons really necessary for my gathering?” Balloons, especially helium, can float long distances and pose a threat to animals and eco systems if released into the outdoors.
  
  
• Buy prefilled balloons at the store.
  
  
• Many party stores rent helium tanks that you can return when you are finished.
  
  
• You can also purchase a large empty tank and have it filled at a party store or industry supply company when needed.
  
  
• Balloon Time has instructions and a video that takes you step by step through the process of depressurizing helium tanks. The key is to make sure the tank is completely empty, remove the valve, then punch a hole in the tank so it is safe for recycling.

Balloon Time Instructions

Balloon Time Video

Graphics and Instructions

The metal that makes up your old helium tank is very easy for a metal recycler to turn into something else. There is no reason to throw this valuable resource in the trash when it can have a second life as a useful product. Check with a HHW facility or find a local metal scrap yard for a recycling option.

• Empty and rinse bottles, cans and containers to remove food or beverage residue
• Place only approved items in the cart.
• Do not “bag” recyclables – put them in the outside cart loose.
• Put caps back on plastic bottles and jugs – DO NOT crush!
• Flatten boxes and place inside your cart.
• Remove wax bags from food boxes (such as cereal or cracker boxes).
• Labels can remain on jars/bottles and plastic windows on envelopes.
• Keep the lid on your recycling cart closed at all times to keep materials dry.

There are four very important words to remember:  Empty – Clean – Loose – Dry!

Lead acid batteries such as automotive, marine and sump pump are prohibited by IL State law from being disposed of in the trash.  See options for getting rid of these batteries at gas stations, auto parts stores, and other locations on SWANCC's Reuse and Recycling Directory .

Each condominium association and apartment building landlord contracts with a private hauling company to provide garbage service.  It is up to the managing company or landlord to include a recycling provision in the contract – which will be an additional fee.  Join forces with your neighbors to make this request.

Empty and clean plastic bags and wraps can be recycled at store drop-off locations. More information about plastic bag and wrap recycling can be found at PlasticFilmRecycling.orgprovided by the American Chemistry Council.

Earth911provides a directory of locations to recycle may vairous items as well as information and resources on living sustainably. Visit their website at Earth911.com.

TerraCycle® collects hard-to-recycle materials and turn them into new products. For more information on their programs and collection boxes visit terracycle.org.

See SWANCC's Document Destruction page.

Find other options for paper shredding on SWANCC's Reuse and Recycling Directory .

Expired fire extinguishers cannot be put in garbage or recycling carts.

Depending on the type of fire extinguisher, most portable fire extinguishers contain powdered CO2 and other chemicals. Here are the best disposal options:

1. Some local fire departments accept fire extinguishers. Call your local firehouse to get details.
2. If your local fire department is not accepting drop-offs, you can take the extinguisher to a hazardous waste disposal facility. This option is only for residents of Illinois – not businesses, schools, or institutions.

Chicago Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility
1150 N North Branch St
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 744-3060

Naperville Household Hazardous Waste Facility
156 Fort Hill Dr
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 420-6095

3. Contact a company that sells and manages fire extinguishers for a drop-off option. Call for details.

Henrichsen's Fire & Safety Equipment Co.
563 North Wolf Road
Wheeling, Illinois 60090
(847) 459-7877

U.S. Fire & Safety Equipment Company
2412 Millennium Dr
Elgin, IL 60124
(773) 763-4422