SPRINGFIELD – Illinois EPA Acting Director James Jennings is pleased to announce seven Spring Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) one-day collection events scheduled over the upcoming months. These collection events are coordinated by Illinois EPA and local co-sponsors to provide residents the free opportunity to safely dispose of unused or leftover hazardous products that are common in households.
“As residents begin spring cleaning, many may find they have unused or unwanted products and chemicals that could pose a hazard to themselves and the environment,” said Acting Director Jennings. “One-day household hazardous waste collections provide a safe, free, and convenient opportunity for residents to dispose of hazardous items in an environmentally friendly manner.”
Each year, Illinois EPA hosts one-day HHW collections, which are open to all Illinois residents. Each collection operates from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the day of the event; however, pre-registration is required for all Spring 2026 collection events, which provides residents with specified time slots for disposal. Residents are encouraged to bring chemical cleaners, oil-based paints, thinners, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, weed killers, insecticides, and pesticides, and other similar hazardous household products. Fluorescent and other high-intensity discharge lamps may also be brought to the collections. ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED include explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, agricultural chemicals, and business wastes. To properly dispose of latex paints, please visit: https://www.paintcare.org/states/illinois/. A complete list of wastes that are and are not accepted is available online at https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/waste-management/waste-disposal/household-hazardous-waste/acceptable-wastes.html.
For safe transport of HHW, residents are asked to:
- Pack HHW items in a disposable box to avoid spilling during transport.
- Keep like chemicals together and separate unlike chemicals.
- Secure lids and make sure containers are not leaking.
- Place box(es) of HHW in the empty trunk or storage compartment of your vehicle, away from passengers during transport.
- Remain in vehicle at collection site. On-site personnel will remove the HHW from your vehicle.
The spring 2026 one-day collections are scheduled on Saturdays and require Pre-Registration:
In addition to the one-day collections, the following year-round, long-term collection facilities are available for the disposal of HHW:
- Naperville, 156 Fort Hill Drive (immediately North of Naperville Public Works), DuPage County, www.naperville.il.us/hhw.aspx Hours: Saturdays 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Sundays 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Phone: 630-420-6095
- Rockford, 3315 Kishwaukee, Winnebago County https://www.rockfordil.gov/492/Household-Hazardous-Waste-Disposal Hours: Saturdays 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Sundays Noon-4:00 p.m., Phone: 779-348-7425
- Chicago, Goose Island, 1150 North Branch, Cook County www.cityofchicago.org/hccrf Hours: Tuesdays 7:00 a.m.-Noon, Thursdays 2:00 PM-7:00 p.m., and First Saturday of every month 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Phone: 312-744-3060
- Lake County, The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) currently operates a long-term household chemical waste collection program. Information and a collection schedule can be found on their website (www.swalco.org) or by calling 847-336-9340.
- Madison County, Madison County Building & Zoning, 249 North Old St. Louis Road, Wood River, Madison County, https://www.madisoncountyil.gov/departments/planning_and_development/recycle_events.php
- Hours: First Saturday and Third Friday of every Month 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Appointments are required. See website to schedule your appointment. Questions: 618-296-5237 or recycling@co.madison.il.us
For questions concerning the Illinois EPA’s one-day or long-term collections, please contact the Illinois EPA Materials Management Unit at 217-524-3300. The HHW collection schedule is also available on the Illinois EPA website at https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/waste-management/waste-disposal/household-hazardous-waste/collections.html. Illinois EPA HHW collections continue to be contactless for the safety of participants and workers. Collection events are funded through the Illinois EPA’s Solid Waste Fund.