Recycling Webinar Highlights

Highlights from the Recycling Webinar by Lora Millman, Riverwoods Preservation Council (RPC) member

Did you miss the RPC’s Recycling Webinar Event? No worries! Merleanne Rampale from the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) and Joy Rifkin from Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) provided us with helpful tips.

Here are some key takeaways:

1.) The following are some items that CAN be recycled and placed in your LRS recycling bin:

• Plastic- (must be RIGID - bottles, tubs, and jugs)
• Food/Beverage cartons- (must be clean and empty with lids and caps left on)
• Glass- bottles and jars only
• Metal- aluminum containers and foil, steel
• Paper- newspaper, magazines, flattened cardboard

2.) NON RIGID plastic such as grocery bags, ziplock bags, plastic covering from dry cleaning, etc. CANNOT be recycled in the LRS recycling bin. These plastics can be brought to the grocery store or dry cleaner for recycling.

3.) Compost pickup is an additional LRS fee. The following items ARE compostable:

• Food such as eggshells, coffee grounds including filters, tea bags, veggie and fruit scraps free of dressings and oils
• Plastic cups and plasticware but only if labeled BPI certified compostable
• Plants and plant clippings

4.) Household Chemical Waste (HCW) recycling is available for the following items: aerosol spray products, fluorescent bulbs, motor oil, mercury (thermometers, thermostats, etc.), batteries, fertilizer, solvents, and drain cleaners. Call SWALCO at 847-336-9340 for more information. 

5.) Latex paint, isobutane/propane cylinders and fire extinguishers can be dropped off at SWALCO, 1311 N. Estes Street in Gurnee, but you must make an appointment and there is a recycling fee. Beginning in April, there will be monthly drop-off events. To schedule an appointment, visit swalco.org or call 847-336-9340.

6.) The City of Highland Park in coordination with SWALCO allows Lake County residents to drop off electronics for recycling. There is a limit of 7 items per visit. This facility also accepts clothing, textiles, shoes and polystyrene foam (styrofoam - no packaging peanuts). The recycling center is located at: 1180 Half Day Road in Highland Park. They are open every Tuesday and the first Saturday of each month from 7 am - 1 pm. Sign up for SWALCO emails or friend them on Facebook to be notified about upcoming events.

Visit the SWALCO website at swalco.org to find more valuable information on ways to recycle items that are not listed in this overview.