Recycling and Energy Saving Tips


 IMPORTANT: STATE OF ILLINOIS BANS E-WASTE DISPOSAL

Beginning Jan 1, 2012, it will no longer be legal for individuals to dispose of unwanted electronics in their regular trash.  Discarded electronics, including computers, monitors, electronic keyboards, scanners, fax machines and many other electronic devices, must now be taken to a registered recycler for proper management.  It will be illegal for the consumer to dispose of them in the trash and for landfills to accept them.
The Illinois EPA maintains a website at EPA State of Illinois
which explains requirements for individuals, a list of registered collectors, as well as a complete listing of all electronic items included in the ban.

The 38th Ward offers a recycling center at the 38th Ward Sanitation Yard, 4243 N. Neenah (behind Wright College).

Blue bins are located before the Ward Yard building.  Recyclable materials include plastic and glass bottles, paper, cardboard, aluminum and steel cans.                     

 

The Household Products and Electronics Collection and Training Center accepts computers, computer related equipment, televisons and cell phones. They also accept household hazardous waste such as antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, oil based paints, etc.  The Center is located on Goose Island at 1150 N. North Branch St (off of Division St.).  It is open from 8am to 3pm the first Saturday of each month, 7am to noon Tuesdays, 2pm to 7pm Thursdays.
For more information, call 312-744-7672 or check their list of accepted products.

Television Recycling 
Please do not put your old set in your trash can or in the alley.  They will be sent to a landfill.  The Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility does accept working and non-working television sets.

Recycle your old electronics at ABT
Recycle your old electronics at Best Buy

Battery Collection Sites
Drop used RECHARGEABLE batteries in the clear plastic tubes at Walgreen's Drug Stores.  ALKALINE one-time use batteries may be disposed of in your trash.  At this time the City does not offer a separate recycling method for batteries.
Pharmaceutical Disposal:
Bring unused or expired prescription and over the counter medications to the following Chicago Police Stations.  Disposal is available 24 hours a day at:
Area 3 - 2452 W. Belmont 
Area 5 - 5555 W. Grand Ave.
Computer Recycling
Items accepted are computers, electronics, cell phones and equipment, & computer monitors.
Computers for Schools
3053 N. Knox Ave.
8:30am-4:00pm Monday thru Friday
http://www.pcsforschools.org/
Metal Recycling
40 cents per pound for aluminum cans.
American Metals Recycling
5580 N. Lynch (off Elston)
773-594-7777
M-F 7:30am-5:00pm
Sat- 8:00am-3:00pm

Energy Saving Tips

  • Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Turn off lights and unplug cell-phone and other chargers when not in use.
  • Turn off the water faucet when brushing your teeth. You will save 10 gallons of water.
  • Turn down your hot water heater to 120 degrees or lower.  Installing a low-flow, high pressure shower head can reduce your water usage by 25-60% per year.
  • Only run the dishwasher when it is full. It uses less water than washing dishes by hand for 10 minutes with the faucet running.