DONATION OPTIONS:

CU FAIR
Email CU-Fair at: [email protected]
*CU FAIR accepts WORKING appliances only for donation.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore
119 E. University Ave., 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

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 Location:

Champaign Public Works Dept
702 Edgebrook Drive, Champaign

Lobby Hours:  Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Household Quantities ONLY; batteries NOT accepted from schools, businesses, or institutions.

Please tape all rechargeable batteries and lithium batteries, including lithium button cell batteries.  (No drill batteries please; you can bring those to the places below.)

Alkaline (single-use) batteries, non-lithium button cell batteries, NiMH, NiCad, and Zinc Air do NOT need to be taped.

NO COMMERCIAL BATTERIES ACCEPTED.

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

These locations accept rechargeable batteries only:

Battery Specialists
133 Kenyon Rd., Champaign
217-352-0591

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

Home Depot
820 Bloomington Rd., Champaign
217-356-2629

Interstate All Battery Center
2504 N. Mattis Ave., Champaign
217-355-4855

Lowe’s
1904 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-373-7300

See the “Commercial (Business) Recycling” tab.

Contact your solid waste hauler for disposal options. Or contact the following businesses to see what services they currently offer and to confirm instructions, fees, and hours:

Henson Disposal
910 Saline Ct., Urbana
217-417-8788

Republic Services
915 Saline Ct., Urbana
217-384-2274

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

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

Sprint Store
61 E. Marketview Dr., Champaign
217-398-8700

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

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

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

Goodwill Savoy
1201 Savoy Plaza Lane, Savoy
217-503-6076
llgi.org

Salvation Army
2212 N. Market St., Champaign
217-373-7825
salvationarmy.org

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

ABC Sanitary
217-356-0909
abcsanitary.com

Advanced Disposal
217-429-0020
advanceddisposal.com/il/champaign

Area Disposal Service
309-688-0760
pdcarea.com

Illini Recycling
217-356-0648
illinirecycling.com

*Also a construction & demolition recycling facility.
*Also operates a public drop-off site.

Midwest Fiber Recycling
217-356-6094
midwest-fiber.com/champaign-urbana

Republic Services (also known as Allied Waste)
217-367-2278
republicservices.com

Shaffer Sanitary
217-367-7119
shaffersanitary.com

Note: LED light bulbs, as well as standard (incandescent) light bulbs, do not contain mercury and can be safely disposed of in your garbage.

Home Depot
820 W. Bloomington Rd., Champaign
217-356-2629 (drop-off in front of store)

Lowe’s
1904 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-373-7300 (drop-off in front of store)

Springfield Electric
901 N. Mattis Ave., Champaign
217-351-7600

Tepper Electric
608 S. Neil St., Champaign
217-356-3755
*Recycling fee ($) – Call for more information

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:

http://www.johnquinnteam.com/home-composting-guide.php

http://illinoiscomposts.org/resources/residential

https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-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
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/homecompost/materials.cfm

Mid-America Recycling
2906 N. Oak St., Urbana
217-840-2646
*Call for fees ($)

Henson Disposal & Recycling
910 Saline Ct., Urbana
217-417-8788
Visit Henson’s website for more information.

Illini Recycling
420 Paul Ave., Champaign
217-356-0648
Visit Illini Recycling’s website for more information.

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.

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.

More information regarding disposal options: 

https://www.wikihow.com/Dispose-of-Cooking-Oil

https://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-cooking-oil/ 

Information regarding disposal options for 5-gallons of cooking oil: 

https://www.formula409.com/love-grease/what-to-do-with-cooking-grease/ 

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.

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

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

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
No Fee (call to confirm)

Click here to access the E-Guide for Residents of Champaign County.

The E-GUIDE describes local options available to residents to recycle or reuse unwanted electronics items.

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

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
bestbuy.com/recycling

Illini Fire Equipment
2801 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana
217-367-9521

Springfield Electric
901 N. Mattis Ave., Champaign
217-351-7600
*Call for fees*

Tepper Electric
608 S. Neil St., Champaign
217-356-3755
*Call for fees*

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:

CU FAIR
CU FAIR will pick up items, including mattresses and box springs.
To schedule a pick up, email CU FAIR at: [email protected]

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

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

Habitat for Humanity ReStore
119 E. University Ave., Champaign
217-355-6460

Salvation Army
2212 N. Market., Champaign
217-373-7832

See the “Motor Oil & Gasoline” tab.

Food and beverage mixed glass containers (clear, flint, brown, and green) are accepted at: 

The City of Champaign’s single family curbside recycling program, as well as the City of Champaign multifamily recycling program, Feed The Thing.

The City of Urbana’s U-Cycle single family curbside recycling program, as well as the City of Urbana’s multifamily recycling program.

Unfortunately, there is currently no free public drop-off center (in Champaign-Urbana) that accepts glass. 

Residents who live outside of Champaign or Urbana city limits and who want to recycle glass, should try contacting the available solid waste haulers in their area to see if they offer trash and recycling services that fit their needs.

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 do not work, you can take them to this place for recycling:

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

They accept curling irons, hair dryers, and hair straighteners for recycling.  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.

DONATION OPTIONS:

Habitat for Humanity ReStore
119 E. University Ave., Champaign
217-355-6460
*Accepts only working string lights

RECYCLING OPTIONS:

Lowe’s
1904 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
217-373-7300

Mack’s Twin City Recycling
2808 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana
217-328-2100

Mervis Recycling
2008 Cunningham Ave., Urbana
217-344-7696

Champaign County Environmental Stewards (CCES)

That’s us! We have a whole page about HHW!

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.

Safer alternatives to HHW

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

Latex paint is NOT considered toxic and therefore can be disposed of by using the methods below.

Oil Disposal – Oil can be taken to local garages, if they accept oil to be dropped off. Garages should be called for more information.

Latex Paint or Water-Based Paint Disposal – For excess amounts of latex paint or water-based paint, one recommendation is to contact school theatre departments to see if it can be used for props.

PAINT DONATION OPTIONS:

Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company will accept latex paint donations if the can is at least half full.  Email [email protected] or call 217-352-4085 for more information.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore will accept latex paint donations if the can is completely full.  Please visit the ReStore’s website for donation hours.

Water-based or latex paint 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 has dried, all materials can be disposed of in the garbage.

Institutional, Commercial, Industrial organizations are covered by different regulations and should call the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for current information regarding hazardous waste disposal requirements. The IEPA Hazardous Waste website is: 

https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/topics/waste-management/waste-disposal/hazardous-waste/Pages/default.aspx

RECYCLING OPTIONS:

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

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

Landscape Recycling Center

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

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

CU FAIR
CU FAIR will pick up GOOD condition mattresses and box springs (as well as other reusable/good condition household items).

To request pick-up, email CU FAIR at: [email protected]

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.

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

Information regarding additional options for mattress disposal:

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/mattress-disposal-options.html# 

No sharps, thermometers, or infectious waste. Needles, sharps, or syringes are not accepted; for disposal options, see the “Sharps/Needle Disposal” tab.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications, including controlled substances and pet medications are accepted at one of the following locations. No need to remove the labels; the medications are secured, transported by law enforcement, and then incinerated.

Champaign Police Department
82 E. University Ave., Champaign

OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center
1400 W. Park St., Urbana
Main lobby 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Rantoul Police Department
109 E Grove Ave, Rantoul, IL 61866

University of Illinois Police Department
1110 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana

Urbana Police Department
400 S. Vine St., Urbana

Walgreens (Only One Location)
1713 W. Springfield Ave., Champaign

Bring your household mercury thermostat (and thermometers!) 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!)

Champaign Public Works
702 Edgebrook Drive, Champaign
Drop-off bin available in the front lobby:
Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed for holidays)

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

DONATION OPTIONS:

Habitat for Humanity ReStore*
1914 Glenn Park Drive, Champaign
217-359-0507
*Accepts WORKING microwaves ONLY

RECYCLING OPTIONS:

Mack’s Twin City Recycling
Accepts microwaves at no cost to you.
2808 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana
217-328-2100

Mervis Recycling
Accepts microwaves at no cost to you.
3008 N. Cunningham Ave., Urbana
217-344-7696

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

• Advance Auto Parts
• AutoZone
• Illini Oil Change
• Jiffy Lube
• Speed Lube
• Walmart Supercenter Tire & Lube Express

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

DONATION OPTIONS:

Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company will accept latex paint donations if the can is at least half full.  Email ([email protected]) or call (217-352-4085) for more information.

DISPOSAL OPTIONS:

Household quantities can be disposed of in the garbage if paint is completely solidified.

To solidify paint:

Remove paint can lids

Add an absorbent (such as shredded paper, sand, kitty litter, or paint hardener) or pour the paint onto newspaper

Allow to completely dry in a well-ventilated outdoor area away from children, pets, and ignition sources

Once dry, dispose solidified paint and can in the regular household garbage

Plastic Carryout Bags

Bring your single-use plastic bags to collection drop-off bins located inside these retail stores during business hours only:

County Market
331 E Stoughton St, Champaign
2901 W Kirby Ave, Champaign

Lowe’s
1904 N Prospect Ave, Champaign

Meijer
2401 N Prospect Ave, Champaign
2500 S Philo Rd, Urbana

Schnucks
109 N Mattis Ave, Champaign
202 Eastwood Dr, Mahomet
1301 Savoy Plaza Ln, Savoy

Walmart
200 N Vine St, Urbana
2610 N Prospect Ave, Champaign
845 Broadmeadow Rd, Rantoul
505 S Dunlap Ave, Savoy
100 S High Cross Rd, Urbana

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 be refilled. 

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 Hospital
611 W. Park St., Urbana
The habe an outdoor bin (like a mailbox) for the disposal of sharps.

It is located at the main “campus” on University Avenue, on the patio outside the coffee shop.

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.

HOUSEHOLD MAIL-BACK PROGRAM:

GRP & Associates, Inc.
1-800-207-0976
[email protected]

MedPro Waste Disposal
1-888-641-6131

Republic Services
217-367-2278

Community Shred Day events that regularly take place in Champaign County include:

(1) Visit C.O.P.S. (Confidential On-Site Paper Shredding) website for local event opportunities.

(2) Champaign County Crimestoppers typically hosts an annual shred and drug collection event in either April or May.

(3) The University of Illinois Community Credit Union typically hosts an annual Shred-A-Palooza event in April.

Local waste haulers in Champaign County who collect curbside recyclable plastics may vary regarding which types of single-use plastics they accept. Single-use plastics typically have a plastic resin code number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. 

It is best to check directly with your waste hauler to know which plastics they will accept for recycling. For reference, a list of plastic resin code numbers of common single-use plastics types follows: 

• PETE (Polyethylene, Terephthalate): Soft drink & water bottles or food containers
• HDPE (High Density Polyethylene): Milk jugs, detergent bottles, shopping bags (bundled)
• V (Polyvinyl Chloride): Health & beauty aide products, cooking oil bottles and household cleaners
• LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene): Margarine tubs & lids, frozen dessert cups, six-pack rings, shopping bags (bundled)
• PP (Polypropylene): Yogurt cups, syrup bottles, deli trays, plant pots and caps/lids. Plant pots must be rinsed free of dirt.
• PS (Polystyrene): Rigid #6 plastics only, such as to-go coffee lids, bakery containers; No Styrofoam
• OTHER (Other resins): Microwaveable containers and narrow-neck bottles

The following single use plastics are not accepted by any local waste hauler: 

• No plastic grocery bags!
• No plastic film – Such as Ziploc bags, bread bags, newspaper sleeves, wrappers (chip bags, candy, fast food, etc)
• No Styrofoam (foam) products – Such as egg cartons, deli or meat trays, packaging “peanuts”
• No plastic cutlery

Again, be sure to check with your local waste hauler to understand exactly which single use plastics they will accept for recycling.

Plastic Bags See the “Plastic Grocery Bags” tab. 

Styrofoam See the “Styrofoam  tab.

First Alert, Radioactive Waste
This is as mail-in program for First Alert Detectors only. 
780 McClure Rd., Aurora, IL 60504
1-800-323-9005
 *If you have a detector not made by First Alert, contact the manufacturer for recycling options.

JMAC Supply
This is a mail-in program for 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

Solid waste haulers can also be found in the yellow pages in the phone book under “Garbage & Rubbish Removal.”  Materials can also be taken to the solid waste transfer station located at 915 W. Saline Dr. in Urbana. The transfer station’s phone number is 217-384-2274. There is a drop-off fee for all materials.

Unfortunately, no local options to recycle Styrofoam appear to be available, since Dart discontinued its Styrofoam collection site.

DONATION OPTIONS:

Habitat for Humanity ReStore
119 E. University Ave., 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 up to 32″, flat panel TVs: LCD, Plasma, & LED up to 50″, portable TVs, FOR A $25 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
*Call for fees

Tire Barn Warehouse
806 Bloomington Rd., Champaign
217-351-8473
*Call for fees

Tommy House Tire Company
707 Bloomington Rd., Champaign
217-351-4159
*Call for fees  

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
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.

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

Plastic Recycling Incorporated
This is a mail-in program  
Call (317) 780-6100 to confirm mailing requirements.
2015 S. Pennsylvania St.
Indianapolis, IN 46225

As of 10/27/21, this is the closest known option that accepts old VHS and/or cassette tapes for recycling:

Technology Recyclers
8401 E. Washington St., Indianapolis
Call to confirm: 1-800-237-3887

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”.