Illinois EPA Announces Spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events Across State (Springfield, IL) – Illinois residents will have several opportunities this spring to safely dispose of hazardous household items as the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosts a series of one-day collection events in communities across the state.
Illinois EPA Acting Director James Jennings announced that seven collection events will take place between March and June, offering residents a free and convenient way to get rid of potentially dangerous materials commonly found in homes.
“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,” Jennings said in a statement. “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.”
The events are open to all Illinois residents and will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the scheduled dates. However, residents must pre-register for the spring 2026 events to receive a designated drop-off time.
Items accepted at the collections include chemical cleaners, oil-based paints, paint thinners, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, weed killers, insecticides, pesticides and other similar household hazardous products. Fluorescent and high-intensity discharge lamps will also be accepted.
Certain items will not be accepted at the events, including explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, agricultural chemicals and waste from businesses. Latex paint should instead be disposed of through the PaintCare recycling program.
The Illinois EPA advises residents to transport materials safely by packing items in disposable boxes, keeping similar chemicals together, securing lids to prevent leaks and placing the materials in a vehicle’s trunk or storage compartment away from passengers. Participants are also asked to remain in their vehicles at the collection site while trained staff remove the waste.
Spring 2026 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Schedule
The following one-day events are scheduled for Saturdays this spring:
- March 21: Illinois Central College, 1 College Drive, East Peoria (Tazewell County)
- April 11: Western Illinois Fairgrounds, 516 S. Oak St., Griggsville (Pike County)
- April 18: Public Works Building, 401 W. Oak St., Kankakee (Kankakee County)
- April 25: Whiteside County Highway Department, 18819 Lincoln Rd., Morrison (Whiteside County)
- May 16: DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, 2200 Pleasant St., DeKalb (DeKalb County)
- June 6: Marlowe Middle School, 9625 Haligus Rd., Lake in the Hills (McHenry County)
- June 6: SIU Arena South Parking Lot, 425 Saluki Drive, Carbondale (Jackson County)
- In addition to the one-day events, several permanent household hazardous waste collection facilities operate year-round in Illinois, including sites in Naperville, Rockford and Chicago, as well as programs run by Lake County’s Solid Waste Agency and Madison County.
The Illinois EPA’s household hazardous waste program is funded through the agency’s Solid Waste Fund. Collection events continue to operate as contactless for the safety of both residents and workers.
More information about acceptable materials, registration and the full collection schedule can be found on the Illinois EPA website.
Illinois EPA Announces Spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events Across State
