1311 N. Estes Street, Gurnee, IL 60031 - (Map to facility)
Find out more about the current collections and programs we're offering. Take a look at SWALCO's Disposal Guide (left; see its scroll down menu with a variety of helpful pages) to find out how to dispose of unwanted items like batteries, latex paint, paper documents and more. You can also find more information on recycling, listings of scraps yards and other waste services and facilities and more. Check out our new monthly feature Green Days: Green Ways for Living for simple tips and resources that each one of us can use to live a more "planet friendly" lifestyle.
See below for current news notes and some of our most asked about programs and services, including Household Chemical Waste Collections, Electronics, Reuse-A-Shoe, Compost Bin Sales, SWALCO Elists or scan our menu on the left.
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SWALCO NOTES: Announcements, News and other Information
- Check out SWALCO's Green Holiday Guide with information and ideas to help you reduce waste and celebrate a more eco-friendly and sustainable holiday season.
- Learn more about the Agency by viewing the 2007-2008 Annual Report at our Publications Library (see menu on left).
- HUNDREDS CELEBRATED AMERICA RECYCLES DAY @ RECYCLE-O-RAMA
The 2nd Annual Recycle-O-Rama, co-sponsored by SWALCO and Warren-Newport Public Library District, was held at Warren-Newport Library on November 7 from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm to celebrate America Recycles Day. Free goodies and prizes were given away! Lake County residents had an opportunity to learn more about Recycling and the other 3 Rs. They also had a chance to recycle items that they can not put into their curbside recycling bins – including: eyeglasses, cell phones, ink jet cartridges, beads, buttons, keys, unusable CDs and DVDs, wine corks (no plastics), Nabisco cookie wrappers, plastic bags and film/wrap, and gym shoes -- all at one stop! Swap tables were filled with books, DVDs and music CDs-- people brought in their movies they had watched too many times, or their CDs they had heard over and over and swapped them for others on the table! A yarn and fabric swap table was offered for the artists and crafters out there. Many beautiful fabrics and yarns were redristirubuted where they will be put to good use. Special displays and information booths: Warren-Township HS MECS, Stormwater Management, Soil & Water Conservation, College of Lake County Environmental Club, Lion’s Club, Artworks Children’s Museum, Chipotle, U of I Extension and WNPL Teen Advisory Group. There were also activities for kids, and a chance for adults to learn about composting, rain barrels, recycling and how to live a more sustainable and eco-friendly life.
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- ComEd Appliance Rebate Program
For a limited time ComEd subscribers can recycle their working old, inefficient appliances and receive a $25 rebate! Most second refrigerators or freezers are 15 years or older and use up to 5 times more electricity than newer models-- you could be wasting as much as $150 a year in electricity!
_________________________________________________________________________Household Chemical Waste
SWALCO is continuing its expanded HCW (Household Chemical Waste) Program. Residents have two ways to dispose of their household chemical waste FREE OF CHARGE.
(Commercial Waste will be turned away)
1) Year-round Collection Events held twice a month (the second Saturday and the fourth Monday) at SWALCO's permanent facility,1311 N. Estes St., Gurnee (by appointment only) or
2) SWALCO's Mobile Events, held at locations throughout Lake County from April through November (no appointment).
Visit our HCW information page under our Collection Events menu:
- For a list of upcoming Mobile and Drop-Off Collection Events
- For a list of accepted items
- To find out more about the program
- To make your appointment online.
Upcoming 2010 drop-off events at Gurnee include: Saturday February 13 and Monday February 22, 2010 - Limited appointments available - sign up early. Sign up now!
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Household Electronics
The Household Electronics Collection locations are also available under our Programs menu. There are several events at locations around the county. Please check back periodically for a location near you. These events are only open to Lake County residents. No business, institutional, not-for-profit, or governmental education electronics will be accepted.
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Reuse-A-Shoe Gym Shoe Recycling Program
SWALCO continues to coordinate the Reuse-A-Shoe athletic shoe recycling program. 2010 will be our 6th year in the program. For more information on where to take shoes, or how you can participate take a look at our
Reuse-A-Shoe Page.
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Compost Bins Sales
Purchase for your home. Compost bins are available at locations around Lake County as supplies last. For more information and purchasing details, see Compost Bins page under Programs.
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School Education
Attention All Educators and Parents:
Have your School earn a beautiful Earth Flag! In addition to offering assistance to Lake County schools on projects related to recycling, 4Rs, waste managements and disposal, and other related environmental topics, SWALCO also offers a program to promote the 4Rs -- Earth Flag.
If you are an educator, school administrator or interested parent, please check out our School Education Corner and find out how your school can make a difference in the community by participating in a most rewarding program called Earth Flag. The Program is designed to educate students, teachers, administration and parents about the need to rethink trash habits and the impact waste reduction, reuse and recycling have on the environment. Find out how your school can earn its very own, beautiful Earth Flag. In addition to our regular SWALCO Announcements elist, Educators can also sign up for a special SWALCO Educators elist service for occasional announcements and notices that may be of interest to teachers and other educators.
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SWALCO ELists
In addition to the SWALCO Educators elist mentioned above, you can receive email announcements about SWALCO programs and collections. Please sign up for the SWALCO Announcements elist.
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You can find out more information about the agency, including its programs, events, members and meetings. If you are looking for information about how to dispose of something specific, check out the Disposal Guide where you can find out about trash, recycling, yardwaste, electronics, chemical wastes and many other types of materials that can be difficult to dispose of. We also have a list of facilities that provide solid waste disposal services, such as landfills, scrap yards, and recycling centers.
