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 and the Mount Prospect Public Works accepts a variety of Styrofoam products. Each business is listed in 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.
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.
There are a number of local, no-cost opportunities for residents to safely dispose of their unwanted and expired medications.
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.