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SWALCO

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1. What do I do with latex paint?

Latex paint is not accepted at Household Chemical Waste (HCW) events because it is a non-hazardous waste. Please check out our Latex Paint Disposal page.

Latex Paint Disposal Options

2. Can I get my gasoline container back?

Yes! We "BULK" gasoline, oil and antifreeze during all of our Household Chemical Waste events. This means you don't need to unnecessary transfer your waste.

When you arrive, simply let us know you'd like your container back!

There are exceptions of course, we typically can not accept large collection containers, such as chemical drums and the like, please call ahead with larger container or quantities.

3. How do I properly dispose of sharps/needles?

Please see the Sharps / Needles Disposal Options

4. How do I establish service, add or replace a collection container or inquire about billing matters?

Most Lake County municipalities contract with a single company to provide recycling and waste collection services, however, some residents and businesses (including those in unincorporated areas) may contract for these services on their own. For more information about establishing service, adding or replacing collection containers and billing matters, contact your local service provider or city/village officials. Please check out Your Community Program member pages. These pages will provide information about your neighborhood including your waste hauler.

Find Your Community Program

5. Where do I dispose of alkaline batteries?

Alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D 9v & 6v) are non-hazardous and may be disposed of in the regular trash. SWALCO does not accept alkaline batteries at any of our collections. Other options include drop off at retail stores that sell Alkaline Batteries such as Ace Hardware, Best Buy, Batteries Plus Bulbs, Home Depot, Lowes and Staples. Always call first to verify that they are accepting alkaline batteries and what if any volume limits they might have.  Also check with the www.Call2Recycle.org website.  For more information and options on safely disposing or recycling all forms of common batteries, please visit our "Batteries" page - Click Here.

6. Who is my garbage collection vendor?

Please check out Your Community Program member pages. These pages will provide information about your neighborhood.

Find Your Community Program

7. How do I properly dispose of pharmaceuticals, prescriptions, medications, and supplements?

For in-depth information please visit our Pharmaceutical Disposal Options page.

Pharmaceutical Disposal Options page.

8. How can I find out about future recycling events?

That's an easy one! We do have a periodic newsletter issued once a month (sometimes more, depending on the the activities). You can sign up on the main page of our website AND we do list all upcoming events under the News & Events section also located on the main page. To sign up for the newsletter: click here

9. Why can't I drop off my HCW at any time?

SWALCO is permitted by the State (IEPA) and the Village of Gurnee to be open only twice a month for residential HCW collection. Our appointment schedule is regular; we host events the second Saturday and the fourth Monday of the month (except for December and the occasional holiday). During the months when mobile events are not on the SWALCO schedule, we seek approval from the IEPA to add additional events in Gurnee if the need is there. HCW Collection Event Info

10. What goes in my curbside bin?

SWALCO has made recycling easier and more understandable through the development of its new recycling guidelines. The average household in Lake County recycles about 680 pounds of material each year or about 25% of the total waste generated. SWALCO’s goal is to increase these numbers through better education of residents on all the things that can be recycled. Please take a moment to review the recycling guidelines for Lake County. Recycling Guidelines.

11. What can I put in SWALCO's Clothing & Textile bins?

SWALCO has bins for clothing and textiles at locations around the region. You can place new, gently used or worn (stained and torn) clothing and household textiles like drapes, sofa cover, towels and table linens, in the bins. For a list of materials that are accepted and a list of bin locations see our Clothing and Textile page. We do appreciate your donations of new and gently used materials which will be reused. The worn materials will be recycled into new products. Clothing and Textile page

12. Where can I get rid of empty/old propane canisters?

While we don't collect propane or any other pressurized gases through any of our programs there are solutions to your disposal needs.

Ask the retailer if the canister can be returned  for recycling or disposal when it’s empty. And please whenever  possible, buy refillable, reusable propane tanks. There are a variety of  refillable canister sizes on the market.

Or contact local vendors for more information. We have a few options on our Single-Use Propane Canister Page - Click Here.

13. What can I bring to the household chemical waste (HCW) events?

SWALCO conducts 30 HCW collection events each year, 24 are held at the Gurnee facility and 5 are held at various locations throughout the County. These events are for household chemical waste from households only, no business generated wastes are accepted. We have a list of acceptable and non-acceptable items on the HCW Page.

HCW page

14. Where can I recycle or dispose of my microwave?

In Illinois, this common kitchen appliance does not require any special disposal measures and are not included in the short list of items that are banned from disposal in Illinois landfills.  Microwave ovens are not accepted at any of SWALCO’s collection programs and most curbside recycling programs do not accept them either. However, residents do have several options for managing microwaves including the following;

1. If the unit works, please check with your local charitable outlets, including local shelters.

2. Take it to your local metal scrap yard – you can find a few in our “Where Do I Recycle This” Directory OR type out “scrap yard” followed by your zip code into your choice of search engine and see what comes up. There may be a location closer to you.

3. If you’re buying a new microwave, check with the store to see if they’ll take the old one.

4. Call your waste hauler to inquire about disposal/recycling options.

15. Dehumidifiers. Where can I recycle these?

Dehumidifiers (and air conditioning units, mini-refrigerators, wine coolers, etc.) typically contain a refrigerant commonly called Freon. Freon is a liquid or gaseous Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) or Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) that is used as the coolant. Since the late 1970s, the use of CFCs has been heavily regulated because of their destructive effects on the ozone layer. This is why dehumidifiers and other devices containing Freon/refrigerants are not allowed to be disposed of in the trash and are not accepted at SWALCO collection events.

The good news is that most scrap yards accept and provide safe disposal of items containing refrigerant. A list of local scrap yards can be found under our  "Where do I recycle this?" directory.  For more information about Dehumidifiers and other CFC containing appliances see our "Odds & Ends" section at the top of this page.

16. Are there any Shredding Events scheduled?

SWALCO does not provide shredding services however many municipalities host their own. We encourage you to reach out to your village to inquire. 

Shredding Opportunities Page

17. I live in an apartment building or townhouse, how can I recycle?

Residents who live in apartments, condominiums or town houses should contact their property management or association to establish recycling services.

18. Does SWALCO have resources that might be helpful to teachers, PTO members, Scout Troop leaders, educators or youth group leaders looking for resources, programs and activities?

Yes we do! We have worked with, and assisted numerous schools, Scout Troops and youth organizations around the region. Please contact us for more information.

19. What happens to my electronics once I drop them off at a collection?

SWALCO contracts with Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) to recycle the electronics. All electronics are manually or mechanically demanufactured within ERI's processing facility.  All base metals, plastics and glass are then sold as a commodity.  Hard drives and memory are shredded and added to the recycled metals. None of the electronics are reused, or exported as whole units.

Electronic Recyclers International

20. Where do I take car and sump pump (lead acid) batteries?

Lead acid batteries need to go to a scrap yard. They are not accepted at the electronic or household chemical waste collections. Please see the Where do I Recycle This page