Household hazardous waste collection set for Oct. 7 at Adams County Highway Department

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim recently announced six upcoming household hazardous waste one-day collection locations for the fall of 2023. These collection events are co-sponsored by units of local government and provide residents the free opportunity to safely dispose of unused or leftover hazardous products commonly found in homes.

The local fall one-day collection is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, with waste products to be taken to the Adams County Highway Department, 101 N. 54th. The Adams County Health Department is the local co-sponsor and can be contacted with questions by emailing health@adamscountyil.gov or calling 217-222-8440

In a press release, Kim said, “Illinois EPA’s one-day household hazardous waste collection events provide opportunities for residents to safely get rid of unused and unwanted chemicals and other hazardous products often found in homes. We continue to see great attendance at collection locations throughout Illinois, showing the ongoing need for these important events. We thank our local partners for helping make each one of them possible.”

One-day collections are open to all Illinois residents. Pre-registration is required for all collection events. Residents participating are encouraged to bring chemical cleaners, oil-based paints, thinners, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, weed killers, insecticides, pesticides, old or outdated medication and similar hazardous household products. Fluorescent and other high-intensity discharge lamps may be brought to the collections. Items not accepted are latex paint, explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, agricultural chemicals and business wastes.

For safe transport of household hazardous waste, 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 household hazardous waste 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 household hazardous waste from your vehicle.

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.