Recycle

• Pilsen Food Pantry - Recycle 100% of your aluminum cans (and other metal) for a year-round fundraiser. Pilsen

Abt- Will take a variety of appliances for recycling. Full list in the link. Home pickup is available for certain home/kitchen appliances and electronics with fees. Glenview, IL

Metal Scrappers - Contact one of the metal scrappers listed under “Metal” on this page to inquire about picking up your large appliance for scrap metal. Please note that refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed before being set out in the alley.

Staples - Accepts coffee brewers under 40 lbs only. Multiple

HCCRF - Accepts most auto fluids. Goose Island

Batteries (Alkaline) -

Alkaline batteries are not accepted by the HCCRF or most other places that accept other types of batteries. This may be because alkaline batteries are considered non-toxic by the EPA and are deemed “safe” to put in your trash. However, a few local places do take them:

• Batteries Plus Bulbs - will recycle them for $2 per pound at some locations. North Center, Elmwood Park, Niles, and Oak Lawn.

• Plant Chicago - will accept alkaline batteries. Back of the Yards

• Staples - will accept single use alkaline batteries. Damaged, defective or recalled batteries will not be accepted. Multiple

Batteries (Lithium, Rechargeable)

• Batteries Plus Bulbs- appears to be a free service, but call to confirm. North Center, Elmwood Park, Niles, and Oak Lawn.

• Home Depot - available at SOME locations - call in advance to check before going. Multiple

• Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility (HCCRF) - Hours are limited - be sure to check them before going. Goose Island

• Reduce Waste Chicago - $2/pound. Check the link for details! North Center, Other

• Staples - Accepts rechargeable batteries under 11lbs and 300Wh. These batteries can be made from lithium ion, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, or SSLA/Pb. Damaged, defective or recalled batteries will not be accepted. Multiple

Batteries (all other)

• Batteries Plus Bulbs - appears to be a free service, but call to confirm. North Center, Elmwood Park, Niles, and Oak Lawn.

• Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility (HCCRF)- Hours are limited - be sure to check them before going. Goose Island

• Credo Beauty - accepts hard-to-recycle beauty container waste through their Pact program. All containers must be empty and clean. Available at all Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack locations. Multiple Locations

• Lena Rose Beauty - has a beauty Terracycle box. Lincoln Square, Naperville

• Nordstrom BeautyCycle - Accepts containers from hair care, skin care, and makeup products, including samples. Full details at the link. Multiple

• Sephora- Accepts any beauty + wellness packaging that have been cleaned and empty. Check the link for the full list of accepted items. Items are recycled into other products, downcycled, or converted to energy. Southport location only

• The Unwaste Shop- has a beauty Terracycle Box. West Loop

• Ulta - Empty containers should be clean, unbagged and free of liquid. All Ulta Beauty stores have The Beauty Dropoff collection bin to discard hard-to-recycle empties. Find a location near you here. Multiple

• PakTech - multiple breweries in Chicago will accept used plastic beer handles for recycling. Locations can be found through the link.

• Reduce Waste Chicago - will donate them to Working Bikes. Check the link for details! North Center, Other

• Reduce Waste Chicago - will take books in good, sellable condition only. North Center, Other

• Reduce Waste Chicago - will recycle them through Terracycle. Check the link for details! North Center, Other

• SCARCE - will recycle them through Terracycle. Addison, IL

• Target - many Target locations collect expired car seats during limited periods during the year. Please check dates with your local Target before bringing your car seat in for recycling!

• The City of Chicago is the best resource for free Christmas tree recycling.

For items that are no longer suitable for donation…

• Chicago Textile Recycling - By collecting used clothing, shoes, and household items for reuse and recycling, Chicago Textile Recycling diverts over 2.5 million pounds of waste from area landfills annually. View a list of accepted items here. Drop-offs are available at:

  • Seward Park: The bin located on W. Hill St, just west of N. Orleans St behind Seward Park - Cabrini Green

  • CTR Facility - 250 N Mannheim Rd, Hillside, IL 60162

  • CTR Facility - 171 S Gary Ave, Carol Stream, IL 60188

• CHaRM - Clothing, textiles and other household items will be reused when possible and recycled if no longer usable. Please make sure items are washed and completely dry before placing in a plastic bag. All shoes are accepted, backpacks, gloves, office supplies, belts, handbags, purses, computer bags, luggage, tote bags, and wallets. Bedspreads, washcloths, sleeping bags, drapes, blankets, sheets, curtains, shower curtains, small area rugs/floor mats, towels, quilts, and pillows. Full list in the link. South Holland

• SWALCO collection points - there are at least 50 collection points within Lake County. Details within the link.

• Bausch and Lomb Terracycle program - Dropoff locations can be found in the link.

• SCARCE - will recycle them through Terracycle. Addison, IL

• Reduce Waste Chicago - will recycle them through Terracycle. Check the link for details! North Center, Other

• Batteries Plus Bulbs - Accepts power cords and charging accessories. Check website for details. North Center, Elmwood Park, Niles, and Oak Lawn

• Best Buy - Accepts computer cables and connectors. Full list in the link. Call in advance to confirm before going. Available at most locations

• CHaRM - Accepts cables and accessories. Full list in the link. South Holland

• The Douglas Center - Guarantees hassle-free recycling services whenever you’re ready to upgrade your outdated technology. Full list of accepted items is at their link. Skokie

• NewTech E-Scrap Recycling- Accepts computer cables. Full list of accepted items in the link. Serves Chicagoland

• Reduce Waste Chicago - will accept cords and charger cables. Full list in the link. North Center, Popup Locations

• Staples - Accepts cables/accessories and other tech equipment. Check out their site for the full list of items. Multiple

• Trash Castle - Accepts wires for small electronics. Bridgeport

• Verde Energy Efficiency Experts-acceptselectrical ballasts and wires for free. Jefferson Park

• Composting - natural cork can be composted at home or through some composting services. Check with your service to confirm!

• Recork - Multiple drop-off locations are available in Chicagoland. Details in the link.

• Reduce Waste Chicago - will recycle them through Terracycle. Check the link for details! North Center, Other

• SCARCE - will recycle them through Terracycle. Addison, IL

The following list mainly applies to non-functional electronics. If an item still works properly, please consider these options.

• Abt Electronics - Takes a variety of electronics at their Abt Recycling Center. Full list in link. Glenview, IL

• Batteries Plus Bulbs - Accepts tablets, laptops, cell phones, portable tools, power cords, and charging accessories. Check website for details. North Center, Elmwood Park, Niles, and Oak Lawn

• Best Buy - Call in advance to confirm before going. TVs, video equipment, laptops, cell phones, audio equipment, home appliances, and more are accepted. Full list in the link. Available at most locations

• CHaRM - Laptops, tablets, desktop PCs, flat screen monitors, cables and accessories, circuit boards/cards, computer mice, computer power supplies, gaming devices, hard drives, keyboards, media speakers and network devices. Cable set top box, accessories and cables, stereo equipment, video players, digital cameras, DVD players, video cameras and game consoles. Full list in the link. South Holland

• The Douglas Center - Guarantees hassle-free secure and efficient recycling services whenever you’re ready to upgrade your outdated technology. Full list of accepted items is at their link above. Skokie

• FreeGeek Chicago - Recycles and refurbishes computers and computer-related hardware in any condition. They take laptops, desktops, monitors, keyboards, cell phones, video game consoles, networking equipment, and more. Full list is at their website. Mount Greenwood

• Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility (HCCRF) - Hours are limited - be sure to check them before going. TVs, computers, keyboards, printers, VCRs, DVD players, video game consoles, mp3 players, and much more are accepted. Full list in the link. Goose Island

• NewTech E-Scrap Recycling - Collects most types of electronic equipment, ensuring all information is properly deleted or destroyed. Home pickup is also offered. Full list of accepted items in the link. Serves Chicagoland

• Reduce Waste Chicago - Will accept some electronics - full list in the link. Check the link for details! North Center, Popup Locations

• Residential Electronics Recycling Program - These are a series of drop-off locations around the city that happen once a month, for a few hours each. This flyer is from 2021, and we will update it as soon as the new one comes out! Multiple

• Staples - Accepts a wide variety of electronics, cables/accessories, and other tech equipment. Check out their site for the full list of items. Multiple

• Trash Castle - Accepts small electronics and wires. Bridgeport

• Eyecare Centers - Contact your local eyecare center to check on acceptance policy.

• Lion’s Club Drop-off Centers - The link has a list of all locations that collect eyeglasses for the Lion’s Club.

• Reduce Waste Chicago - will recycle eyeglasses in working condition through Terracycle. Please note sunglasses or glasses accessories are not accepted. Check the link for details! North Center, Other

• SCARCE - will recycle them through Terracycle. Addison, IL

• Reduce Waste Chicago - will recycle them through Elgin Recycling. Check the link for details! North Center, Other

HCCRF - accepts a wide variety of toxic chemicals and fuels. See the link for a full list. Goose Island

Light Bulbs (Incandescent)

There is no need to safely dispose of these, as no hazardous materials are present. Most places that accept other light bulbs do not accept these, and so far the only place found that recycles them is Batteries Plus Bulbs. North Center, Elmwood Park, Niles, and Oak Lawn

Light Bulbs (Fluorescent, CFL)

• Batteries Plus Bulbs - Will take almost any type of bulb. North Center, Elmwood Park, Niles, and Oak Lawn

• Home Depot - available at SOME locations - call in advance to check before going. Multiple

• Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility (HCCRF) - Hours are limited - be sure to check them before going. Goose Island

• True Value Hardware - available at SOME locations. Call in advance to confirm. Multiple

• Verde Energy Efficiency Experts- accepts fluorescent bulbs and lamps for a fee, as well as electrical ballasts and wires for free. Jefferson Park

• A Bedder World - Curbside mattress removal service. Works with charities and recycling centers to keep mattresses out of landfills.

• Junk Robbers will collect and recycle or upcycle your worn out mattress.

Please note that flushing medications down the toilet is harmful for our water supply. The following options will safely dispose of your meds without harming the environment.

• CDPH/CPD Drop-Off Locations - The Chicago Department of Public Health has partnered with the Chicago Police Department to provide you with a place for the safe and proper disposal of unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications (for households only). Location information available in the link.

• MWRD has permanent collection boxes for medications at four locations. More details available within the link

  • Main Office Building, 100 E. Erie St., Chicago

  • Calumet WRP, 400 E. 130th St., Chicago

  • O’Brien WRP, 3500 Howard St., Skokie

  • Stickney WRP, 6001 W. Pershing Rd., Cicero

• Walgreens - Select locations will accept unused medication for safe disposal.

The following scrappers can be called for large item pickup:

• Eduardo Galindo 773-454-9197

• Eli Aguilar Metal Scrap Recycling 312-647-5149

• Velez Jr Recycling 773-431-2867

• United Scrap Metal - Cicero, IL

• Old Town School Music Store - Recycled through Terracycle, partnership with D'Addario. Strings can be dropped off during business hours at the store. Lincoln Square.

HCCRF - Nail Polish and polish remover are accepted. Goose Island

• Earthpaint - Accepts latex and oil based paint, which it blends with other high quality leftover paints and sells at discounted rates. The company is also committed to employing adults with disabilities through its partnership with local organizations. Austin

• Got Paint? Pickup Service - This pickup service will dispose of your latex paint safely and responsibly. Service is available in most of the Chicagoland area. More details at the link!

• Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility (HCCRF) - Please note - latex paint is NOT accepted, but other paints are taken for free. Hours are limited - be sure to check them before going. Goose Island

• Kriser’s Natural Pet - Many locations throughout Chicagoland, available at most locations. Accept pet food bags for recycling through Terracycle boxes. Call in advance to confirm. Multiple

• Abt Electronics - Plastic (industrial wrap only). Glenview, IL

• Trash Castle - Accepting LDPE (#4) plastics, which is most plastic bags and films. Check website to confirm. Bridgeport

• Plarn Project - Plastic yarn or plarn, is what is used to knit or crochet re-purposed plastic shopping bags in to sleeping mats. However, the most eco-friendly choice with plastic bags is to avoid acquiring them as much as possible.

• Store Drop-Offs - Stores including Target, Mariano’s, Jewel-Osco, and others have drop-off bins for a variety of plastic films, but you should know that a recent ABC investigative report (2023) showed that the vast majority of these bags are not being recycled. The best choice with plastic bags is to avoid acquiring them at all costs.

Trash Castle - currently accepting HDPE (#2) and PP (#5) plastics for recycling and reuse. Bridgeport

• Illinois EPA- List of Chicagoland sites/businesses that collect used tires for recycling that are found outside of an auto shop. When getting new tires at an auto shop, it is required that the old tires be disposed of responsibly by the shop.

• Abt Electronics- Styrofoam (white only, food containers and packaging peanuts excluded). Glenview, IL

• CHaRM - Accepts foam packaging waste from appliances, furniture, TV’s and electronics, foam coolers, food service foam (egg cartons, trays, takeout clamshells, cups and plates) and foam packing peanuts. Please remove tape and labels before dropping off and all foam must be clean, dry and have no food particles attached. South Holland, IL

• DART Container- All locations accept used polystyrene foam including post-consumer foam cups and "to-go" containers, egg cartons, ice chests, rinsed meat trays, protective packaging foam, and other foam with the #6 inside the chasing arrows triangle.  Please note that they DO NOT ACCEPT STYROFOAM PEANUTS. There are two locations in our area:

  • 7575 S Kostner Ave, Chicago, IL (near Midway Airport)
    **At the DART Facility you can find the container on 76th street, behind a gate enclosure. Location can vary slightly on premises.

  • 310 Evergreen Dr, Aurora, IL

• Ecoship- Accepted at their storage unit ONLY for a fee. See link above for more information.

• SCARCE - will recycle them through Terracycle. Addison, IL

Abt Recycling Center - will recycle wood pallets, cardboard, plastic (industrial wrap only), styrofoam (white only, food containers excluded), home/kitchen appliances, and a variety of electronics. Full list in the link. Note this applies to their Abt Recycling Center and not all Abt locations. Home pickup is available for certain home/kitchen appliances with fees. Glenview, IL

Batteries Plus Bulbs- Will recycle batteries, light bulbs, and a variety of electronics. Full list in the link. Note that this does not apply to all locations - Niles is confirmed, but any others will need to be called first. North Center, Elmwood Park, Niles, and Oak Lawn

Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) - This is a permanent recycling drop-off facility available to Cook County residents that helps divert millions of pounds of waste and other hard-to-recycle items from regional landfills and water systems. Items accepted include electronics and computers, clothing and textiles, small furniture, small appliances, styrofoam, and personal healthcare equipment. Visit the CHaRM website for a specific list of items accepted. South Holland

Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility - Accepts a wide variety of items, including lithium and rechargeable batteries, fluorescent lights, paint, motor oil, computers, TVs, and much more. The full list is in the link. Goose Island

Reduce Waste Chicago - Has rotating recycling pop-ups and accept a HUGE variety of items. All details can be found at the link. North Center, Popup Locations

Scarce - This organization accepts a HUGE variety of unusual items, including metal jewelry, art supplies, books, holiday lights, CDs and CD cases, inkjet cartridges, bikes parts, eyeglasses, office supplies, and MUCH more. Full list in the link! Addison, IL

Staples - Outdated technology doesn’t have to end up in a landfill. So when it’s time to upgrade your laptops and printers or replace your ink and toner, count on Staples to recycle it responsibly. Staples also accepts an enormous variety of other electronics, some batteries, and some small appliances. Visit the Staples website for a specific list of items accepted. Multiple