Illinois EPA Announces 2026 Spring Hazardous Waste Collection Events
A free household hazardous waste collection event will be hosted by the Illinois EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
Illinois Residents Encouraged to Safely Dispose of Hazardous Household Items
As spring cleaning ramps up across the state, the Illinois EPA is urging residents to safely dispose of potentially dangerous household chemicals through a series of free collection events scheduled this spring.
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. 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. -James Jennings, Illinois EPA Acting Director
Acting Director for the Illinois EPA, James Jennings, announced that seven Spring Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) one-day collection events will be held across the state in 2026. The events are designed to help residents safely get rid of common but potentially harmful household products that can threaten both public health and the environment when improperly discarded.
DeKalb Event Scheduled for May 16
One of the upcoming collection events will take place on Saturday, May 16, in DeKalb County. The collection will run from 8 am to 3 pm at the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, 2200 Pleasant Street in DeKalb.
State officials stress that pre-registration will be required for the spring events, allowing residents to reserve a designated time slot to drop off materials. More registration details for the May event in DeKalb are expected to be released soon.
What Items Are Accepted, And Which Are Not
Residents can bring a wide variety of hazardous household materials, including chemical cleaners, oil-based paints, paint thinners, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, pesticides, weed killers, and insecticides. Fluorescent and high-intensity lamps are also accepted.
Certain items are not accepted at HHW collections, including explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, agricultural chemicals, and business waste.
Year-Round Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites in Illinois
In addition to the one-day events, several permanent household hazardous waste facilities operate year-round in Illinois.
These include locations in Rockford, Naperville, Chicago's Goose Island, and Lake County, offering residents more opportunities to properly dispose of hazardous household materials throughout the year.
Officials say these programs play a critical role in preventing hazardous chemicals from entering landfills, waterways, and neighborhoods across Illinois.