Aluminum cans are accepted in the City’s single-family curbside recycling program, as well as the City’s multifamily recycling program, Feed The Thing.

Additionally, Illini Recycling, 420 Paul Avenue, Champaign, (217-356-0648) will buy back aluminum cans Monday-Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. (The price per pound varies by the market.) They accept aluminum cans that are crushed or not crushed; they only accept aluminum cans, not any other types of aluminum such as siding or pans; they do not accept pop tabs separately. You can take bags of aluminum cans to their recycling center, get a weight for them, and then take that ticket to their office for payment.

Currently there are no known local options to recycle antifreeze.

Antifreeze can be safely disposed of at long-term household hazardous waste (HHW) collection facilities in Illinois  or at IEPA-Sponsored HHW Collection Events.

Champaign County typically hosts IEPA-Sponsored One-Day HHW Collection Events in the Spring (in April).  The registration website is available year-round with up-to-date information.

DONATION OPTIONS:

 

ISCU

Immigrant Services of Champaign-Urbana (ISCU)* accepts WORKING appliances only for donation.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

1914 Glenn Park Dr., Champaign
217-359-0507
*The ReStore accepts WORKING appliances only, including microwaves

 

RECYCLING OPTIONS:

 

Best Buy

2117 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-352-8883
*Check Best Buy’s website for specific details about appliance recycling.

Mack’s Twin City Recycling

2808 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana
217-328-2100
*Call for acceptable items and fees ($)
(MICROWAVES are ACCEPTED for recycling)

Mervis Recycling

3008 N. Cunningham Ave., Urbana
217-344-7696
*Call for acceptable items and fees ($)
(NO MICROWAVES ACCEPTED)

Preservation and Conservation Association (PACA)

44 E. Washington St., Champaign
217-359-7222
*Call for acceptable items

The I.D.E.A. Store

125 Lincoln Square, Urbana
217-352-7878
*Visit The I.D.E.A. Store’s website for more details.

Bill Smith Auto Parts

3405 N. Country View Rd., Urbana
217-367-5090

Mack’s Auto Recycling

1309 E. Kerr Ave., Urbana
217-367-6219

Mervis Recycling

3008 N. Cunningham Ave., Urbana
217-344-7696

Additionally, Parkland College Automotive may accept automotive-related equipment and chemicals for their classes.  Call to confirm.

Advance Auto Parts

*Multiple locations in Champaign and Urbana

AutoZone

*Multiple locations in Champaign and Urbana

Battery Specialists

133 Kenyon Rd., Champaign
217-352-0591

Interstate All Battery Center

2504 N. Mattis Ave., Champaign
217-355-4855

O’Reilly Auto Parts

1009 N. Mattis Ave., Champaign
217-352-1671

BATTERY RECYCLING DROP-OFF LOCATIONS:

Champaign Public Works Dept
702 Edgebrook Drive, Champaign
Lobby Hours:  Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., except City Holidays

The black/yellow drop-off bin is located inside the Public Works building lobby and is accessible during lobby hours.

6 Important Things To Read BEFORE You Drop Off Batteries:

1. Household quantities of batteries ONLY; batteries NOT accepted from schools, businesses, institutions, etc.
2. NO loose batteries; please place batteries inside of a bag or box before you place them in the drop-off bin.
3. Please tape all rechargeable batteries and lithium batteries*, including lithium button cell batteries with non-conductive tape.
4. Alkaline (single-use) batteries, non-lithium button cell batteries, NiMH, NiCad, and Zinc Air do NOT need to be taped.
5. No drill batteries please; you can take those to Home Depot or Lowe’s, info below.
6. No lead acid batteries please; you can take those to Interstate Batteries, info below.

Please refer to this guide for other local drop-off locations for Household batteries within Champaign County.

*PLEASE SEE THE “LITHIUM BATTERIES” TAB FOR MORE INFO ABOUT LITHIUM BATTERIES.

This program is coordinated by the Environmental Sustainability Specialist, 217-403-4780.

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These locations accept rechargeable batteries only:

Battery Specialists

133 Kenyon Rd., Champaign
217-352-0591

Home Depot

820 Bloomington Rd., Champaign
217-356-2629 (drop-off bin located in front entryway to store, left side)

Interstate All Battery Center

2504 N. Mattis Ave., Champaign
217-355-4855

Lowe’s

1904 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-373-7300 (drop-off bin located in front entryway to store, to the right)

Mervis Recycling

3008 N. Cunningham Ave., Urbana
217-344-7696
*Call first to confirm

UPS Store (Baytowne Shoppes)

907 W. Marketview Dr., Champaign
217-359-6233

See the “Commercial (Business) Trash and Recycling” tab.

You can either recycle them through a manufacturer’s program (e.g., some manufacturer’s, like First Alert, offer programs to recycle their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors) or you can dispose of them with your regular trash, after removing the batteries.  They are not accepted at any of our recycling events.

Cardboard is accepted in the City’s single-family curbside recycling program, as well as the City’s multifamily recycling program, Feed The Thing.

If you live outside of Champaign City limits, Illini Recycling accepts cardboard at their recycling facility, 420 Paul Ave., Champaign (217-356-0648).

Contact your solid waste hauler for disposal options, or contact the following businesses to see what services they currently offer:

Henson Disposal
910 Saline Ct., Urbana
217-417-8788
* Open to the general public; $96 minimum disposal fee for up to a ton (call to confirm price)

Republic Services
915 Saline Ct., Urbana
217-384-2274
* Open to the general public; $119.08 minimum disposal fee for “a pick up truck’s worth of stuff” (up to a ton), $238.16 for “a pick up truck’s worth of stuff” plus a trailer (up to 2 tons), and $357.24 for all other sizes (up to 3 tons). (call to confirm price)

Call the locations to confirm instructions, fees, and hours.

For old VHS movies and old music cassette tapes, check with local organizations for donation options (Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Goodwill, Salt & Light, Salvation Army, women’s shelters, homeless shelters, etc.).

There are no local recycling options.  They can be disposed of in your weekly trash.

The Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green St., accepts donations of like-new (music) CDs and (movies) DVDs that are clean and in good condition.

Check with local organizations for donation options (Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Goodwill, Salt & Light, Salvation Army, women’s shelters, homeless shelters, etc.)

RECYCLING OPTIONS:

Staples

2005 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-373-8490

Plastic Recycling Incorporated (Mail-in Program)

2015 S. Pennsylvania St.
Indianapolis, IN 46225
317-780-6100
*Pay for shipping

Best Buy

2117 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-352-8883

T-Mobile

2504 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-903-2807

Target

2102 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-355-3325

Verizon Wireless

910 W. Town Center Blvd., Champaign
217-355-0942

Additionally, cell phones are accepted at the bi-annual Champaign County Residential Electronics Collection Events.

EcoATM is also an option for recycling unwanted cell phones.

See the “Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)” tab.

See the “Holiday String Lights” tab.

The following accept clothing, plus other items, for donation.
Call or check their websites for more information.

Direct Service Agencies:

Crisis Nursery
1309 W. Hill St., Urbana
217-337-2731
crisisnursery.net

Empty Tomb
301 N. 4th St., Champaign
217-356-2262

emptytomb.org

Salt & Light Ministries
1512 W. Anthony Dr., Champaign
1819 S. Philo Rd., Urbana
217-355-5654
saltandlightministry.org

Thrift Stores that Benefit Direct Service Agencies:

Connections
Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana
217-384-2158
courageconnection.org

Goodwill
912 W. Anthony Dr., Champaign
217-359-8729
1201 Savoy Plaza Lane, Savoy
217-503-6076
llgi.org

Recycle Smart offers recycling options for nylon stockings, tights, and pantyhose.

The City of Champaign does not have a commercial trash or recycling program; however, several private haulers operating in the City of Champaign offer commercial trash and/or recycling options to businesses. Businesses should contact one of those private haulers to set up trash and/or recycling and obtain pricing for the service. Haulers set their own trash and/or recycling collection rates. There are a variety of services offered by the different haulers, ranging from cardboard only collection to co-mingled recycling collection.

Haulers That Offer Business Recycling Services in Champaign
(The following list is not intended to constitute company endorsements. Please call the haulers to confirm services.)

ABC Sanitary
They offer commercial trash and recycling services, including weekly pick-up services. They also offer roll-off and dumpster services.
217-356-0909
website: abcsanitary.com

GFL Environmental, Inc. (f/k/a Area Disposal Service & Peoria Disposal Company)
They offer commercial trash and recycling services, including weekly pick-up services. They also offer roll-off and dumpster services.
888-895-8696
website: gflenv.com/support/

Illini Recycling*
They offer weekly trash and recycling services but only with their 95-gallon containers – no dumpsters. They also offer roll-off dumpster services.
217-356-0648
website: illinirecycling.com
*Also a construction & demolition recycling facility.
*Also operates a public drop-off site.

Midwest Fiber Recycling
They offer recycling services only, including weekly pick-up services.
217-356-6094
website: midwest-fiber.com

Republic Services, a/k/a Allied Waste
They offer trash and recycling services, including weekly pickup services. They also offer roll-off and dumpster services.
217-367-2278
website: republicservices.com

CFLs are accepted at the (free) Spring IEPA- Sponsored One-Day Household Hazardous Waste Collection.  Visit the HHW online registration website for more information.  They are also accepted free of charge at the location below.

Please note: LED light bulbs, as well as standard – incandescent – light bulbs, do not contain mercury and can be safely disposed of in your garbage.

Lowe’s

1904 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-373-7300 (drop-off bin located in front entryway to store, to the right)

Composting is nature’s way of recycling.  You can compost food scraps and yard waste at home.

To learn more about composting at home, you can visit these helpful websites:

• Getting the Dirt on Composting
• Composting Can Help Fight Climate Change
• Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition (IFSCC)
• EPA – Composting at Home

Information and a “How To” brochure is available by contacting:

University of Illinois Extension – Champaign County

801 N. Country Fair Drive, Suite D, Champaign
217-333-7672
website: https://web.extension.illinois.edu/homecompost/materials.cfm

See the “CRT (tube) Computer Monitors” tab.

Henson Disposal

910 Saline Ct., Urbana
217-417-8788
* Open to the general public; $96 minimum disposal fee for up to a ton (call to confirm price)

Mid-America Concrete Recycling

2906 N. Oak St., Urbana
217-550-9749 or 217-586-4536
*Call for more info, including fees ($)

Vulcan Materials

2906 N. Oak St., Urbana
217-355-1307
*Call for more info, including fees ($)

Henson Disposal

910 Saline Ct., Urbana
217-417-8788
* Open to the general public; $96 minimum disposal fee for up to a ton (call to confirm price)

Republic Services’ Transfer Station

921 Saline Ct., Urbana
217-384-2274
* Open to the general public; $130.99 minimum disposal fee for “a pickup truck’s worth of stuff” (up to a ton), $261.98 for “a pickup truck’s worth of stuff” stacked over the sideboards or large trailer (up to 2 tons), and $392.96 for all other sizes (up to 3 tons). 

You should NEVER pour grease or oil down the drain.  It can clog sewer pipes and nobody wants that!  Keep in mind, you can reuse most oils several times; deep frying oil can be filtered and reused three or four times (more depending on the quality and your comfort).  Bacon fat can also be filtered and stored in your refrigerator.

Unfortunately, the City of Champaign is not aware of any local recycling center that accepts cooking fats and oils.  Some restaurants have grease disposal bins; perhaps they might allow you to dispose of your used oil in their bin.

Alternatively, after allowing used oil to cool, you can put it in a non-breakable container with a resealable lid and throw it out with the trash.

See How to Dispose of Both Used and Unused Cooking Oil, Earth911 – How to Recycle Cooking Oil, and Slick Ways to Handle Used Cooking Oil for more disposal options.

Goodwill

912 W. Anthony Dr., Champaign
217-359.8729

1201 Savoy Plaza Ln., Savoy
217-503-6076

Goodwill works with Dell Reconnect to recycle old electronics.  As part of this program, they accept working and non-working CRT (tube) computer monitors at their stores FREE of charge.  Drop off during regular store hours.

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Additionally, CRT (tube) computer monitors are accepted at the bi-annual Champaign County Residential Electronics Collection Events.
For recycling/donation options for flat screen computer monitors, see the “Electronics” tab.

Mack’s Twin City Recycling

2808 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana
217-328-2100
$20 fee

Mervis Recycling

3008 N. Cunningham Ave., Urbana
217-344-7696
$free$ (call to confirm)

Home Depot

820 W. Bloomington Rd., Champaign
217-356-2629 (drop-off bin located in front entryway to store, left side)

Lowe’s

1904 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-373-7300 (drop-off bin located in front entryway to store, to the right)

United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA’s) fact sheet regarding disposal of e-cigarettes.

The City co-hosts a bi-annual Champaign County Residential Electronics Collection Event (typically in May and October).  Residents are required to register in order to participate.  For more details (including event dates), please visit the online registration website.  These events are the only way for residents to get rid of old TVs for free in the C-U area!

Additionally, there are local recyclers that will accept your old electronics (with the exception of TVs) for drop off throughout the year:

Best Buy

2117 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign*
217-352-8883
(Best Buy is currently the ONLY establishment accepting TVs of any kind for recycling in the C-U area; limit of 2 TVs per household per day; tube TVs 31″ or smaller; flat-panel TVs: LCD plasma, & LED 49″ or smaller for $29.99 each.)

Goodwill
912 W. Anthony Dr., Champaign
217-359-8729

1201 Savoy Plaza Ln., Savoy
217-503-6076

Mack’s Twin City Recycling

2808 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana
217-328-2100

Mervis Recycling

2008 Cunningham Ave., Urbana
217-344-7696

Staples

2005 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-373-8490

REGARDING TV’S: At the bi-annual collection events, there is a four (4) TV limit per person (no cost!); all sizes, types, and models of TV’s will be accepted, including CRT tube TVs.  There is a seven (7) item total limit.  Please visit the online registration website for a complete list of accepted and non-accepted items.

City staff will continue to work with our government partners to find alternative methods and locations for recycling electronics (specifically TVs) and other items.  Any questions can be directed to Nichole Millage at 217-403-4780.

As of January 1, 2012, local waste haulers no longer accept 17 categories of electronic items listed below with your regular trash collection, as these have been banned from Illinois landfills. For more information on the state ban, visit the Illinois EPA website.

Electronic Items Banned from Illinois Landfills:

• Televisions
• Monitors
• Printers
• Computers (laptops, notebooks, netbooks, tablets)
• Electronic keyboards
• Facsimile (fax) machines
• Videocassette recorders (VCRs)
• Digital video disc players (DVD players)
• Digital video recorders (DVRs)
• Video game consoles
• Small scale servers
• Scanners
• Electronic mice
• Digital converter boxes
• Cable receivers
• Satellite receivers
• Portable digital music players

Electronics were banned from Illinois landfills on January 2012. Many electronic products contain toxic lead, mercury, cadmium, and other materials that pose environmental and health risks that must be managed. Many electronic items contain metals, plastics, or leaded glass that can be recycled into basic commodities or products, and then re-marketed for re-use. The re-use of these components conserves natural resources and energy, and contributes to reduced air and water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Information on this page is subject to change.

Check with local organizations for donation options for WORKING exercise equipment (Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Goodwill, Salt & Light, Salvation Army, etc.).

Some local metal scrap recyclers will take exercise equipment containing metal.  Please call in advance to ensure they will accept equipment.

Mack’s Twin City Recycling

2808 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana
217-328-2100
*Call for acceptable items

______________________________________________________________________

Exercise equipment is NOT accepted at the bi-annual Champaign County Residential Electronics Collection Events.

Check with local organizations for donation options for WORKING fans (Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Salt & Light, Salvation Army, women’s shelters, homeless shelters, etc.).

If your fan does not work, you can take it to the following for recycling:

Best Buy

2117 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-352-8883
website: www.bestbuy.com/recycling

Fans are NOT accepted at the bi-annual Champaign County Residential Electronics Collection Events.

See the “Smoke Detectors/Smoke Alarms” tab.

Illini Fire Equipment

2801 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana
217-367-9521
They will accept old/expired fire extinguishers free of charge.

Fluorescent tubes are accepted at the (free) Spring IEPA-Sponsored One-Day Household Hazardous Waste Collection.  Visit the HHW online registration website for more information.

Springfield Electric

901 N. Mattis Ave., Champaign
217-351-7600*
*Call for fees ($); there might be an additional fee for ballasts and wires (Mervis Recycling accepts ballasts free of charge)

Tepper Electric

608 S. Neil St., Champaign
217-356-3755*
*Call for fees ($); there might be an additional fee for ballasts and wires (Mervis Recycling accepts ballasts free of charge)

Freon is accepted at (free) IEPA-Sponsored One-Day Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events, including the HHW events held in Champaign County.

Additionally, Parkland College Automotive may accept freon for their classes.  Call to confirm.

*If your furniture is not in good/reusable condition, you should contact your garbage hauler for disposal options.

Please consider donating good/reusable household items to the following organizations:

ISCU

Immigrant Services of Champaign Urbana (ISCU) will pick up items, including mattresses and box springs.

Goodwill
912 W. Anthony Dr., Champaign
217-359-8729

1201 Savoy Plaza Ln., Savoy
217-503-6076

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

1914 Glenn Park Dr., Champaign
217-355-6460

The City does not enforce garbage/recycling hauler hours, meaning there is no City ordinance regarding hauler hours so they can start collecting at whatever time they choose to do so.  With that said, if you are having issues with noise or haulers being disruptive, you can contact the City’s Environmental Sustainability Specialist, Nichole Millage, at 217-403-4780, or send an email to [email protected].

Champaign City ordinance requires every household to sign up for weekly solid waste pickup. All solid waste (trash, recyclables, etc.) collection in the City of Champaign is handled by licensed, private solid waste haulers.  Licenses are issued by the City Clerk.  (Contact the haulers for pricing.  There are currently FOUR solid waste haulers offering this service.)  The haulers listed below are currently licensed to haul in Champaign:

1. ABC Sanitary Hauling, 217-356-0909
2. GFL Environmental, Inc. (f/k/a Area Disposal Service, Inc.), 1-888-895-8696 or 217-893-3675 (you can drop off old, unwanted Area toters to 4808 N. Cunningham, Urbana.)
3. Illini Recycling, 217-356-0648
4. Republic Services, 217-367-2278

No longer doing residential weekly garbage hauling in the City of Champaign:
– Hayden Sanitary (acquired by GFL Environmental on 6/1/22)
– Shaffer’s Sanitary Co. (acquired by GFL Environmental on 3/1/23)
– Waste Management (f/k/a Advanced Disposal) (divested by GFL Environmental on 6/1/22)

See the “Motor Oil and Gasoline” tab.

Food and beverage mixed glass containers (clear, flint, brown, and green) are accepted in the City’s single-family curbside recycling program, as well as the City’s multifamily recycling program, Feed The Thing.

Unfortunately, there is currently no free public drop-off center (in Champaign-Urbana) that accepts glass.  Residents who live outside of Champaign City limits and who want to recycle glass, should try contacting available solid waste haulers in their area to see if they offer trash and recycling services that fit their needs.

See the “Plastic Grocery Bags” tab.

Check with local organizations for donation options (Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Salt & Light, Salvation Army, women’s shelters, etc.).

If your hair styling tools or appliances (curling irons, hair dryers, and hair straighteners) do not work, they will accept them at the bi-annual Champaign County Residential Electronics Collection Events.

See the “Garbage/Recycling Haulers (and Hours)” tab.

Mack’s Twin City Recycling does not accept tanks of any kind UNLESS they have been sawed in half, i.e., Mack’s will not accept a helium tank that is only punctured; it has to be completely sawed in half.  Please review info below regarding emptying and puncturing.

2808 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana
217-328-2100

Mervis Recycling will accept a properly emptied and clearly punctured* helium tank for recycling (read info below).  (It does not need to be sawed in half.)

3008 N. Cunningham Ave., Urbana
217-344-7696

*THE FOLLOWING ONLINE RESOURCE ADDRESSES ‘HOW TO PROPERLY EMPTY AND PUNCTURE A HELIUM TANK’:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFozV9jBAhE

DONATION OPTIONS:

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

1914 Glenn Park Dr., Champaign
217-355-6460
*Accepts only working string lights

RECYCLING OPTIONS:

Holiday string lights are accepted at the bi-annual Champaign County Residential Electronics Collection Events.

Mack’s Twin City Recycling

2808 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana
217-328-2100

Mervis Recycling

2008 Cunningham Ave., Urbana
217-344-7696

The City co-hosts an annual IEPA-Sponsored One-Day Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Event in Champaign County (typically held in April).  These events are open to all State of Illinois residents; however, residents are required to register in order to participate.  For more details (including event dates), please visit the online registration website.  If you need assistance registering, please call 217-403-4780.

Unfortunately, there is no local permanent drop-off site for residents for HHW; however, there are long-term HHW collection sites in northern IL, as well as other events held in other counties.

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Champaign County Environmental Stewards (CCES)

CCES is a non-profit community organization focused on providing safe and convenient disposal options to area residents for household materials that may pose potential health or environmental problems.  For more information regarding CCES and their efforts, you can visit CCES’ Facebook page.

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Long-Term HHW Collection Sites in Illinois

Long-term household hazardous waste collection sites are available in Naperville, Chicago, Rockford, and Lake County. Links to each site, which include accepted items and hours of operation, can be found by visiting the Illinois EPA Long-Term Collection Facility page.  You can also visit that link to find information about one-day collections which are held periodically throughout the year in IEPA-selected communities.

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Tips for Paint Disposal/Donation

Staff receives numerous inquiries regarding paint disposal. Oil-based paint is accepted at the annual Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Events; however, latex/water-based paint is NOT toxic, and therefore, it is NOT accepted at the HHW Collection Events.  Options for disposal/donation:

• Give it away!  For excess amounts of paint (or paint thinner), the City recommends contacting school theatre departments to see if it can be used for props.  One option: Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company has been known to accept latex paint donations if the can is at least half full.  Email ([email protected]) or call (217-352-4085) for more information.  Or ask around (use social media if that’s your thing) and you may find somebody who needs to paint a small area.
• Use an absorbent!  Paint (and paint thinner) can also be mixed with materials such as cat litter, sand, paint hardener or absorber, or poured onto newspaper and be allowed to dry.  Once the paint (or paint thinner) has dried, all materials can be disposed of in the garbage.  These methods work for latex/water-based and oil-based paints.
• Store it for later!  Everyone has good intentions to use half-filled paint cans for “touch ups” that never come.  Also, many people have saved paint that becomes unusable over time before it’s called into action.  If you do save your paint for later, follow some easy tips to make the paint last longer.  Just cover the opening with plastic wrap, and make sure the lid fits securely so the paint doesn’t leak.  Then turn the paint can upside down!  This creates a tight seal, and keeps the paint fresh to use again.

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Commercial HHW Disposal Regulations

Commercial organizations are covered by different regulations and should call the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for current disposal requirements. (IEPA contact: Tom Hubbard, email: [email protected] or phone: 1-217-524-3286)

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Safer substitutes to many common household chemicals do exist.  The US EPA’s Safer Choice website provides a searchable database of products which perform well and are safer for human health.  Safer substitutes to many common household chemicals do exist.

See the “Furniture and Household Items” tab.

RECYCLING OPTIONS:

Best Buy

2117 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-352-8883

Staples

2005 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-373-8490

_______________________________________________________________________

Ink jet and toner cartridges are also accepted at the bi-annual Champaign County Residential Electronics Collection Events.

The City of Champaign offers FREE Yard Waste Collection twice a year to its residents; once in the spring and once in the fall.  There is also a Christmas Tree collection provided in January.
For more information and guidelines, please visit the City’s Yard Waste Collection webpage.

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Did you miss the free yard waste collection?  Here are some alternative options:

Landscape Recycling Center

1210 E. University Ave., Urbana
217-344-LEAF (5323)
*Call for fees ($)

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Some solid waste haulers also provide yard waste collection services for an additional fee.  Check with your solid waste (trash) hauler for more information.

Check out REcompute: In collaboration with Salt & Light Ministries in Urbana, REcompute accepts donations of older laptops that are no longer used, or too slow to run Windows. They then wipe them clean to install a new, lightweight operating system, Linux. The laptops are then, through Salt & Light, provided free of charge to residents, students, and families who might not otherwise have access to their own computer. Salt & Light has graciously agreed to be a drop-off and distribution location for donated laptops.  Their location is: 1819 S. Philo Rd., Urbana.

See the ‘Electronics‘ tab for more info about all electronics recycling, including laptop recycling.

See the “Automotive (Bodies & Parts) / Small Engines’ tab.

See the “Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)” tab.

You should NOT put lithium batteries into your household trash or recycling bin. Lithium batteries can be brought to the City’s battery recycling drop-off bin at Champaign Public Works. Please see the “Batteries, Single-use (alkaline) and Rechargeable” tab above for more information about the City’s drop-off bin.

To prevent fires, which can happen if batteries come in contact with each other or with other metals, the EPA recommends taping the battery terminals (or connections) with non-conductive tape. Electrical tape is preferred, but all adhesive tapes not made of metallic material will work. Alternatively, placing each battery in its own plastic bag also isolates the terminals.

DONATION OPTIONS:

ISCU
Immigrant Services of Champaign Urbana (ISCU) has been known to pick up GOOD condition mattresses and box springs (as well as other reusable/good condition household items).  Contact to confirm.  Phone 217-800-5725.

Empty Tomb
If you live in Champaign, Urbana, or Savoy, arrangements can be made to pick up mattresses and box springs that are in GOOD condition by calling Empty Tomb (301 N. 4th St., Champaign) at 217-356-2262.  If you live elsewhere, they ask that you call before loading up to deliver to Empty Tomb.

Another alternative, if it is in good/reusable condition, try using social media to sell it or give it away.

DISPOSAL OPTIONS:

If your mattress is not in good/reusable condition, one option is to contact your garbage hauler for disposal options.

Republic Services’ Transfer Station
921 Saline Ct., Urbana
217-384-2274
* Open to the general public; $130.99 minimum disposal fee for “a pickup truck’s worth of stuff” (up to a ton), $261.98 for “a pickup truck’s worth of stuff” stacked over the sideboards or large trailer (up to 2 tons), and $392.96 for all other sizes (up to 3 tons).

Article from Consumer Affairs on How to Dispose of a Mattress.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications, including controlled substances, pet medications, vitamins and supplements, are accepted at the following locations:

Carle Foundation Hospital

Lobby off Orchard St., Urbana

OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center

1400 W. Park St., Urbana
Main lobby 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Retail Pharmacies

Several retail pharmacies (e.g., Walgreens on Springfield and Mattis, Meijer in Champaign and Urbana, etc.) offer this service.  To find the one closest to you, visit Safe.Pharmacy

There is also a lot of useful information on unwantedmeds.org.

No need to remove the labels; the medications are secured and then incinerated.

Needles, sharps, or syringes are not accepted; for disposal options, see the “Sharps/Needle Disposal” tab.

Bring your household mercury thermostat to Champaign Public Works to be recycled for FREE!  We accept all brands of wall-mounted, mercury-switch thermostats or sensors.  (Mercury liquid or other mercury products are not accepted!  You can bring those to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events.)

We also accept (fever) thermometers for recycling!  Please place each one in a separate ziploc bag.  (Larger thermometers can be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events.)

Champaign Public Works

702 Edgebrook Drive, Champaign
Yellow and black drop-off bin available in the front lobby:
Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., except City Holidays

This program is coordinated by the Environmental Sustainability Specialist, 217-403-4780.

DONATION OPTIONS:

Habitat for Humanity ReStore*
1914 Glenn Park Dr., Champaign
*Accepts WORKING microwaves ONLY

RECYCLING OPTIONS:

Mack’s Twin City Recycling**
2808 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana
217-328-2100
**Microwaves accepted for recycling for FREE! (call to confirm)

_______________________________________________________________________

Microwaves are also accepted at the bi-annual Champaign County Residential Electronics Collection Events.

These businesses occasionally accept old motor oil and/or gasoline for recycling:

• Advance Auto Parts
• AutoZone
  
• Jiffy Lube
  
• Speed Lube
  
• Walmart Supercenter Tire and Lube Express

However, if none of them are currently accepting old motor oil and/or gasoline, then residents have the following options:

(1) Utilize one of the four long-term Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection facilities in Northern IL.

(2) Hang on to your old motor oil/gasoline until Champaign County hosts its next IEPA-Sponsored One-Day HHW Collection Event, typically held in the spring. The online registration website is available year-round with up-to-date information.

See the “Sharps/Needle Disposal” tab.

Call these businesses to confirm that they still accept packing peanuts:

Mail & Parcel Plus

2206 W. Springfield Ave., Champaign
217-359-6245

UPS Store (Baytowne Shoppes)

907 W. Marketview Dr., Champaign
217-359-6233

Staff receives numerous inquiries regarding paint disposal. Oil-based paint is accepted at the annual Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Events; however, latex/water-based paint is NOT toxic, and therefore, it is NOT accepted at the HHW Collection Events.  Options for disposal/donation:

• Give it away!  For excess amounts of paint (or paint thinner), the City recommends contacting school theatre departments to see if it can be used for props.  One option: Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company has been known to accept latex paint donations if the can is at least half full.  Email ([email protected]) or call (217-352-4085) for more information.  Or ask around (use social media if that’s your thing) and you may find somebody who needs to paint a small area.
• Use an absorbent!  Paint (and paint thinner) can also be mixed with materials such as cat litter, sand, paint hardener or absorber, or poured onto newspaper and be allowed to dry.  Once the paint (or paint thinner) has dried, all materials can be disposed of in the garbage.  These methods work for latex/water-based and oil-based paints.
• Store it for later!  Everyone has good intentions to use half-filled paint cans for “touch ups” that never come.  Also, many people have saved paint that becomes unusable over time before it’s called into action.  If you do save your paint for later, follow some easy tips to make the paint last longer.  Just cover the opening with plastic wrap, and make sure the lid fits securely so the paint doesn’t leak.  Then turn the paint can upside down!  This creates a tight seal, and keeps the paint fresh to use again.

See the “Wooden Pallets” tab.

See the “Shred Events” tab.
PRO TIP: If you shred paper at home and you want to recycle it in your curbside bin, please make sure the shredded paper is in a clear bag or in a clearly labeled paper bag that has “Shredded Paper” written on it, so the recycling facility can easily identify it.

See the “Medication Disposal” tab.

The City of Champaign encourages residents to utilize reusable bags whenever possible.  The City will even provide you with a free reusable canvas bag!  You can contact the City’s Environmental Sustainability Specialist for more details.
Phone: 217.403.4780
Email: [email protected]

However, if you have plastic bags that need to be recycled, it is best to return them to retail supermarkets that offer a Store Drop-Off Collection Bin:

• County Market
• Lowe’s
  
• Meijer
  
• Schnucks
  
• Walmart
  ______________________________________________________________________

For curbside recycling (single-family residences), some solid waste haulers will accept plastic bags for recycling; check with your hauler to confirm.

Plastic bags are accepted in the City of Champaign’s Multifamily Recycling Program, Feed The Thing.

Plastics are accepted in the City’s single-family curbside recycling program, as well as the City’s multifamily recycling program, Feed The Thing.

If you live outside of Champaign City limits, then Illini Recycling accepts plastics at their recycling facility, 420 Paul Ave., Champaign (217-356-0648).

See the “Medication Disposal” tab.

Hicksgas Urbana*

2201 E. University Ave., Urbana
217-367-5456
– Only accepts 20 lb. grill tanks ($5 recycling fee)
– $20 to refill 20 lb. grill tanks

Small propane bottles (1 lb.) can be safely thrown away once empty; they cannot refill them.

Additionally, Mack’s Twin City Recycling and Mervis Recycling will accept propane tanks that have been completely emptied, punctured, and sawed in half.  See videos under “Helium Tanks” tab for instructions on how to properly empty and puncture a tank.

Henson Disposal

910 Saline Ct., Urbana
217-417-8788
* Open to the general public; $96 minimum disposal fee for up to a ton (call to confirm price)

Republic Services’ Transfer Station

921 Saline Ct., Urbana
217-384-2274
* Open to the general public; $130.99 minimum disposal fee for “a pickup truck’s worth of stuff” (up to a ton), $261.98 for “a pickup truck’s worth of stuff” stacked over the sideboards or large trailer (up to 2 tons), and $392.96 for all other sizes (up to 3 tons). 

The City of Champaign encourages residents to utilize reusable bags whenever possible.  The City will even provide you with a free reusable canvas bag!  You can contact the City’s Environmental Sustainability Specialist for more details.

Phone: 217.403.4780
Email: [email protected]

Mack’s Twin City Recycling

2808 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana
217-328-2100

Mervis Recycling

3008 N. Cunningham Ave., Urbana
217-344-7696

Drop-Off Option:

Carle Foundation Hospital
611 W. Park St., Urbana
(sharps box outside in “breezeway” area, near outside patio at coffee shop)

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Home Disposal Option:

Place used needles and other sharps into a puncture-resistant plastic container, such as a laundry detergent container, and tightly secure the lid before disposing into your household garbage.

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Household Mail-Back Program:

Eco Medical Waste, Inc.

1-866-832-5080

GRP & Associates, Inc.

1-800-207-0976
E-mail: [email protected]

MedPro Waste Disposal

1-888-641-6131

Republic Services

217-367-2278

 The City of Champaign does not currently have any paper shredding events planned.  However, there are typically several year-round options available in the Champaign County area:

• Busey Bank offers Shred Day Events throughout the year.
• Champaign County Crime Stoppers typically hosts annual shred and drug collection events in the spring (April/May) and fall (September/October).
• The University of Illinois Community Credit Union typically hosts an annual Shred-A-Palooza event in April.

PRO TIP: If you shred paper at home and you want to recycle it in your curbside bin, please make sure the shredded paper is in a clear bag or a clearly labeled brown paper bag that has “Shredded Paper” written on it), so the recycling facility can easily identify it.

You can either recycle them through a manufacturer’s program (e.g., some manufacturer’s, like First Alert, offer programs to recycle their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors) or you can dispose of them with your regular trash, after removing the batteries.  They are not accepted at any of our recycling events.

Other possible options:

JMAC Supply (Mail-in Program, all manufacturer detectors)

Attn: Recycle
JMAC Supply
333 W. Merrick Rd., Unit 4
Valley Stream, NY 11580
516-812-0917

Other Manufacturers (Mail-in Programs)

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2012/pb22334/html/cover_025.htm

(PLEASE NOTE: there are separate tabs for “Bubble Wrap” and “Packing Peanuts“.)

Dart corporation closed their Styrofoam drop-off center on September 29, 2023.

Unfortunately, there are no local options for Styrofoam recycling at this time.  Foam recycling is very specialized and requires a machine called a densifier, which compresses the foam into a block.  Foam itself is very costly to recycle and requires a densifier and additional labor to manage.

We recommend that residents try to reduce the consumption of foam products by avoiding purchasing those products, if possible.  Some communities have implemented bans on foam food service containers from restaurants, grocery stories, retailers, and institutions.  Residents can contact their representatives if they want to push for legislation on this issue.

See the “Helium Tanks” tab.

ALL types, sizes, and shapes of televisions are accepted for free at the bi-annual Champaign County Residential Electronics Collection Events.  Listed below are the limited year-round options for donation and recycling:

DONATION OPTIONS:

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

1914 Glenn Park Dr., Champaign
217-355-6460
Accepts ONLY flat panel GOOD CONDITION, WORKING televisions for donation; NO CRT (tube) televisions accepted. Flat panel TVs are TVs that can be mounted on the wall.

Salt & Light

1512 W. Anthony Dr., Champaign
1819 S. Philo Rd., Urbana
217-355-5654
Accepts ONLY flat panel GOOD CONDITION, WORKING televisions for donation; NO CRT (tube) televisions accepted. Flat panel TVs are TVs that can be mounted on the wall.

RECYCLING OPTIONS:

Best Buy

2117 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-352-8883
Accepts only tube TVs 31″ and smaller, flat panel TVs: LCD, Plasma, & LED 49″ and smaller, portable TVs, FOR A $29.99 FEE.

Champaign County Environmental Stewards (CCES) plans to host a tire collection drop-off event this summer!
Event dates: Thursday, July 31, 2025 through Saturday, August 2, 2025
Event times: TBD
Event location: CU Public Health District, 201 W. Kenyon Rd., Champaign; and a second location TBD
Event details:

• Champaign County residents only.  No salvage yards or retailers will be allowed.
• Residents will be limited to 10 each, collected free of charge.
• Accepted: passenger and truck tires, size limit: 17″ or less, on-rim or off-rim, both okay.
• Not accepted: oversized tires, including agricultural and commercial
• PLEASE NOTE: the 2025 residential tire collection is first-come, first served. Once the on-site trailer reaches capacity, the residential tire collection is ended.

POSSIBLE YEAR-ROUND LOCAL DROP-OFF OPTIONS:

Some of these places will only accept tires for recycling if you are purchasing new tires from them. It’s best to call first for more information.

Best One of Central Illinois

707 Bloomington Rd., Champaign
217-351-4159
*Fees range from $7.50 – $14.50+; call to confirm

Blain’s Farm & Fleet

2701 N. Cunningham Ave., Urbana
217-367-1354
*Fee is $3.00 per tire; call to confirm

Car-X Tire & Auto

906 W. Bradley Ave., Champaign
217-352-9700
*Call for fee ($)

Champaign True Tires

311 S. Neil St., Champaign
217-352-4286
*Call for fee ($)

Chaparral Tire Center

924 W. Bradley Ave., Champaign
217-607-1998
*Call for fee ($)

Illini FS

1509 E. University Ave., Urbana
217-384-8307
*Call for fees ($)

Kirby’s Firestone Service Center

303 W. Main St., Urbana
217-367-6362
*Fee is $3.50 per tire; call to confirm

Norris Tire & Auto Center

702 N. Country Fair Dr., Champaign
217-359-0103
*Fee is $4.00 per tire, limit 4; call to confirm

Tire Barn Warehouse

806 Bloomington Rd., Champaign
217-351-8473
*Fee is $5 per tire; call to confirm

Tires Plus

807 W. Marketview Dr., Champaign
217-212-2074
*Call for fees ($)

Walmart – Champaign Supercenter

2610 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-352-2407
*Call or visit for fee info

Walmart – Rantoul Supercenter

845 Broadmeadow Rd., Rantoul
217-892-5090
*Call or visit for fee info

Walmart – Savoy Supercenter

505 S. Dunlap Ave., Savoy
217-356-2993
*Call or visit for fee info

Walmart – Urbana Supercenter

100 S. High Cross Rd., Urbana
217-344-6189
*Call or visit for fee info

PLEASE NOTE: This list is not guaranteed to be a complete list of local retailers.

See the “Garbage/Recycling Haulers (and Hours)” tab.

Dillman Brothers

3509 N. Cunningham Ave., Urbana
217-344-8290
*Call first.  FREE drop-off of clean residential vinyl siding (no garbage or other materials) during business hours, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Check with local organizations for donation options for WORKING vacuum cleaners (Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Salt & Light, Salvation Army, women’s shelters, etc.).

If your vacuum cleaner does not work, you can take it here for recycling:

Best Buy

2117 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-352-8883
website: www.bestbuy.com/recycling

They accept only broom/stick vacuums, robot vacuums, and upright/canister vacuums.  They do not accept wet/dry vacuums.  Limit three items per household per day.  Recycling is intended for residents only.  Products from businesses and organizations, or items that present a health or safety hazard, are not accepted.

Vacuums are NOT accepted at the bi-annual Champaign County Residential Electronics Collection Events.

Check with local organizations for donation options (Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Goodwill, Salt & Light, Salvation Army, women’s shelters, homeless shelters, etc.) for old VHS movies and old music cassette tapes.

As of October 27, 2021, this is the only/closest option we are aware of to recycle old VHS and/or cassette tapes:
Technology Recyclers
8401 E. Washington St., Indianapolis
*Call to confirm: 1-800-237-3887

Henson Disposal

910 Saline Ct., Urbana
217-417-8788
* Open to the general public; $96 minimum disposal fee for up to a ton (call to confirm price)

Republic Services’ Transfer Station

921 Saline Ct., Urbana
217-384-2274
* Open to the general public; $130.99 minimum disposal fee for “a pickup truck’s worth of stuff” (up to a ton), $261.98 for “a pickup truck’s worth of stuff” stacked over the sideboards or large trailer (up to 2 tons), and $392.96 for all other sizes (up to 3 tons). 

Menards*
620 W. Town Center Blvd., Champaign (east side of the building)
217-359-6100
*You might want to call first to confirm, in case their policy has changed.

Other possible disposal/giveaway options:

1.  Contact your solid waste hauler for disposal/cost options.

2.  You can try the free online group: Freecycle  You can register on this site, offer the wooden pallet(s) to others in Champaign-Urbana, and see if there’s any takers!

3.  Maybe Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County is in need of some wooden pallets.  You should give them a call first at 217-359-0507.

4.  You can also try Craiglist: Champaign-Urbana under the “for sale” category, select “free”.

See “Landscape/Yard Waste Material” tab.