Illinois’ first hazardous waste disposal site south of Chicago to open in Madison County
Metro-east residents will have access to a new household hazardous waste collection site, the first of its type south of Chicago’s collar counties.
On Thursday, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced a site to dispose of hazardous waste will be developed and constructed in Madison County. The site is “entirely locally funded,” according to a release from the IEPA, and is expected to open Saturday.
“The Illinois EPA has worked closely with Madison County over the last several years in its efforts to bring a collection site to the area,” said IEPA Director John Kim in a statement. “We remain committed to providing no-cost collection options for the proper disposal of household hazardous waste throughout the state.”
Madison County will fund all onsite labor and maintenance at the facility.
The collection site will be open the first Saturday and third Friday of each month from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is located at 249 North Old St. Louis Road in Wood River. Appointments are required and can be scheduled here: www.co.madison.il.us/departments/planning_and_development/recycle_events.php
Materials accepted at the collection site include:
- Oil-based paints
- Pesticides, herbicides, lawn fertilizers/chemicals
- Cleaning solvents
- Paint thinners
- Hobby chemicals
- Antifreeze, motor oil, old gasoline
- Pool chemicals
- Household batteries
- Items containing mercury
- Medicines
- Lead-acid batteries
- Fluorescent lights
Materials that won’t be accepted include:
- Explosives
- Latex paint
- Used tires
- Ammunition
- Agricultural wastes
- Fireworks
- Fire extinguishers
- Smoke detectors
- Farm machinery oil
- Business or biohazard waste