Looking for a place to drop off your recycling in southwest Illinois? Here’s where to go
U.S. residents throw away 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Years than in any other time in the year, Stanford University reports. Many items are recyclable, and cardboard, paper, food boxes and more are typically allowed in residential curbside recycling bins.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers advice on how to recycle. The agency recommends removing any food scraps from packaging before dropping it in a recycling bin.
Wrapping paper can be recyclable, but it typically cannot be recycled if it has a shiny or laminated coating. Some gift wrap indicates on its packaging whether it is recyclable. The U.S. EPA encourages people to reuse gift bags, boxes and tissue paper.
If you don’t have access to curbside recycling services, but would still like to avoid throwing recyclable items in the trash, southwest Illinois offers several drop-off locations for specified items.
Here’s where metro-east residents can drop off items to be recycled. Each location accepts certain items, so be sure to check to avoid dropping off something that can’t be used.
Belleville Area Humane Society
The Belleville Area Humane Society offers an aluminum can receptacle and linen drop-off shed that can be accessed anytime in the back parking lot. Aluminum cans and linen donations must be in a trash or grocery bag.
Sheets, blankets and towels can be donated at the humane society’s shed, but pillows, clothing and books may not.
The humane society receives donations from partner organizations for compiling the items, which benefits the animals in its care.
Location: 1301 S. 11th St., Belleville, IL 62226 (back parking lot)
J&C E-Recycling
J&C E-Recycling purchases steel, copper, brass, aluminum, electronics, computers and appliances.
For more information about services and pricing, you can call 618-233-5009 or 618-558-6048 or email JCeRecycling@gmail.com.
Location: 621 Atlanta Drive, Belleville, IL 62220
Belleville Recycling
Belleville Recycling purchases certain items, including aluminum cans, copper and brass. Pricing information is available online and may change. You can donate cardboard there, as well.
Location: 501 Hecker St., Belleville, IL 62221
Madison County drop-off locations
Madison County offers several recycling drop-off locations for residents who do not have access to curbside recycling services. Items such as paper, glass, plastics and metal can be dropped off at these locations:
Edwardsville: 2500 Troy Road, Home Depot parking lot, serviced Monday through Friday. This container is not available on weekends and is removed from the location at 10 a.m. Fridays.
Alton: 400 Piasa St., downtown Alton across from the federal building, serviced Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Collinsville: 1600 Olive St. at Fletcher Field Parking Lot, serviced Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Hamel: 403 Old U.S. Route 66, located at the township maintenance shed and Hamel Community Fire Protection District Office, serviced Mondays and Fridays.
Marine: 630 W Leopold St., off Leopold, behind Marine Township Highway Garage, just past Vernon, serviced Mondays and Fridays.
Maryville: 8 Schiber Court, Off Vadalabene, by Drost Park, public works department and community library, serviced Mondays and Thursdays.
New Douglas: 8363 East Frontage Road, Across I-55 from Pink Elephant Antique Mall, off Alhambra Road, serviced Tuesdays and Fridays.
Information about where to recycle plastic bags and wraps, Christmas trees, hazardous household waste, e-waste and other items in Madison County is available online.
Know of another recycling drop-off center in the metro-east? Email mhoward@bnd.com with the information.
This story was originally published December 20, 2022 at 11:53 AM.
