Reuse-

Save and use adhesives for future projects.         

Reduce-

Try to buy the smallest amount and least toxic adhesive needed for your project.  The safest environmental choice is one that is water-soluble.

Disposal-

Water-based glues (like white school glue) can be placed in the trash.  Epoxies and any adhesives that are flammable, poisonous, corrosive, or contain petroleum distillates should be brought to a household hazardous waste facility or a mobile household hazardous waste collection day.  See “Hazardous Waste.”  If the container is empty or the product is completely dry, it can be put in the trash.

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Recycle-

EMPTY aerosol cans can be recycled with metal cans.  See “DeKalb County Curbside Recycling Programs” and “Drop-Off Recycling Sites.”

Reuse-

Aerosol Cans cannot be reused.  They contain propellants that may be harmful.  Pump spray bottles can be reused (if thoroughly rinsed) for other things like misting plants.           

Reduce-

Buy products in pump-type containers rather than aerosols.  Some pump containers can be refilled.

Disposal-

Aerosol cans that are not empty should be treated as household hazardous waste and taken to a household hazardous waste facility or a mobile household hazardous waste collection day. See "Hazardous Waste." Do not burn your aerosol cans; they are a safety hazard.

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Recycle-

Aluminum foil and aluminum trays can be recycled through most DeKalb County curbside recycling programs and drop-off recycling centers.  Please rinse them clean.  See "DeKalb County Curbside Recycling Programs" and "Drop-Office Recycling Sites."

Reuse-

Wash and reuse aluminum foil more than one time.  Aluminum trays can be used again for baking and heating food in a conventional oven.

Reduce-

Use reusable dishes and containers instead of aluminum foil or trays.

Disposal-

Residents can throw aluminum foil in the trash, but are strongly encouraged to recycle.

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Recycle-

Have your antifreeze changed at an auto service center where they can recycle your antifreeze for you.

Reduce-

Purchase only the amount you need.

Disposal-

Antifreeze is a hazardous chemical.  See “Hazardous Waste.”

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Recycle-

Depending on the size and type, some drop off sites accept appliances for a fee.  Only an authorized appliance recycler who is licensed to handle hazardous waste may collect and dismantle appliances.  (Hazardous substances must be removed from appliances by licensed persons only.)  Some new appliance dealers will take your old appliance when you buy a new one.

Reuse-

Repair old appliances when possible.  However, very old appliances may not be energy efficient.  You may save more energy and money in the long run by replacing old appliances with newer energy efficient models.  Donate working appliances to charities or friends.           

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Disposal-

Asbestos is accepted at the DeKalb County landfill as a special waste.   Call DeKalb County landfill at (815) 758-6906 for specific disposal procedures.

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Recycle-

Many parts can be taken to scrap metal dealers.  See yellow pages under “Scrap Metals.”

Reuse-

Find out if used or rebuilt engines or parts are available from a salvage dealer (see “Automobile Parts & Supplies-Used and Rebuilt” in the phone book yellow pages).

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Recycle-

Some stores will take back their own plastic shopping bags for recycling.  DeKalb County Curbside Recycling Programs do not collect plastic shopping bags.

Reuse-

Paper bags can be reused to wrap packages, as book covers or to put your newspapers in for recycling.  Plastic bags can be reused as storage bags for baked goods, as trash bags, or to carry wet items such as swim wear.

Disposal-

Plastic bags that cannot be returned to the store can be put in the regular trash.  Do not burn your plastic bags; they are a safety hazard.

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Recycle-

Auto batteries

DO NOT throw them in the trash or bury them!    They should be taken to a reclaimer to be recycled.  By Illinois law, any business that sells new batteries and replaces them in your car is required to take back you old battery for recycling.

Rechargeable batteries (usually Nickel, Cadmium or “NICAD”) Some stores selling these batteries also take them back.

Bring them to a household hazardous waste facility or a mobile household hazardous waste collection day.  See “Hazardous Waste.

Mercury “button” batteries

These are commonly found in hearing aids, watches and cameras.  Bring these to a household hazardous waste collection day.  Some stores who sell these also take them back.

Household (alkaline) batteries

New alkaline batteries (batteries purchased after 1991) have much smaller amounts of mercury and require no special handling.  Throw them in the trash.

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Recycle-

Books can be recycled in some parts of DeKalb County.  See “DeKalb County Curbside Recycling Programs” and “Drop-Off  Recycling sites.”

Reuse-

Share books with friends or neighbors.  Donate books to libraries or charities.  Sell or buy them at garage sales or used book stores.  

Reduce-

Instead of buying a book, see if its available at a library.

Disposal-

If  recycling is not available to you, and its unwanted or unusable, they may be placed in the trash.

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Corrugated

Has two thin layers separated by wavy layers in the middle-such as grocery store boxes and appliance boxes.

Recycle-

Clean corrugated cardboard can be recycled through curbside collection or at a recycling center.  Corrugated cardboard that has a waxy coating, has attached styrofoam supports, is wet, or otherwise contaminated, is not recyclable and should be put in the trash.  See “DeKalb County Curbside Recycling Programs” and “Drop-Off Recycling Sites.”

Reuse-

Reuse cardboard boxes for storage, hauling, carrying groceries, moving, etc.

Food

Boxboard is one layer of cardboard that is white or gray on the inside.  Examples are cereal, frozen food, and beer and pop boxes. 

 

Recycle-

Clean boxboard can be recycled.  Break down the boxes and remove all inside packaging.  In some parts of DeKalb County, wasted disposal providers and recycling drop-off  centers collect milk and juice boxes.  See “DeKalb County Curbside Recycling Programs” and “Drop-Off Recycling Sites.”

Reduce-

Buy foods with less packaging.  Whenever possible, buy in bulk or in bags or bottles that can be reused.

Disposal-

If boxboard cannot be recycled in your area, it can be thrown in the trash.

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Recycle-

Separate such items as metal, clean wood, clean corrugated cardboard.  These items can be recycled.  See “Boxes” and “Metals.”

Reuse-

Consider donating materials to local theatre groups or organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.

Reduce-

Measure your construction projects carefully so you have little waste as possible.

Disposal-

Most building materials cannot be burned.  Materials such as concrete, sheetrock/drywall, wood, plaster, insulation, roofing/shingles, siding, bricks, etc. may be taken to the DeKalb County landfill.  See “Landfill.”

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Recycle-

Metal, aluminum and steel cans are recyclable in DeKalb County.  See “DeKalb County Curbside Recycling Programs” and “Drop-Off Recycling Sites.” Metal cans are also accepted by scrap metal dealers and recycling centers.  See yellow pages under "Scrap Metals."

Reduce-

Purchase food in bulk or frozen alternatives to reduce your need for many cans.

Disposal-

Residents can throw their metal cans in the trash but are strongly encouraged to recycle.

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Reuse-

Sell used carpet or give it away.  Consider buying carpet made from recycled plastic.

Reduce-

Purchase durable carpets that are made to last.  Clean your carpets often to reduce the need to replace them.

Disposal-

Carpet can be disposed of through regular trash pickup or taken to the DeKalb County landfill.

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Recycle-

Catalogs that are made from “glossy” paper may be recycled with magazines.  See “Magazines.”  Catalogs made from other types of paper may be recycled in some parts of DeKalb County.  See “DeKalb County Curbside Recycling Programs: and “Drop-Off Recycling Sites.”

Reuse-

Reduce-

Write or call the companies whose catalogs you do not want to receive.  Ask to be taken off their mailing list.  For subscriptions you wish to receive, tell them not to sell or give your name to other mail order companies.  See “Junk Mail.”

Disposal-

If catalogs can not be recycled in your area, they may be thrown in the trash.

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Disposal-

Most caulk that is water soluble can be placed in the trash.  If it has one of these words on the label “danger,” “warning,” “caution,” “flammable,” “combustible,” or “corrosive” residents should bring it to a household hazardous waste facility or a household hazardous waste collection day.  See “Hazardous Waste.”

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Disposal-

DeKalb County accepts Christmas trees from December 26^th through January 31^st each year.  Residents may take their trees to the DeKalb County Landfill where they will be chipped into mulch (see “Compost”).  The resulting compost will be available to residents free of charge in the spring.

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Reuse-

It is better to use up cleaners for their intended purpose than to throw them away.  If you have leftovers, find someone who can use them.

Reduce-

Buy only the cleaners that you really need.  Some household cleaners can be hazardous.  There are many cleaners that are made with non-hazardous ingredients.   Use water based cleaners as much as possible.

Disposal-

Cleaners that are toxic, corrosive, flammable, or poisonous can be taken to a household hazardous waste collection day.  See “Hazardous Waste,” “Corrosive Cleaners,” and “Solvent-Based Cleaners.”