Services > Solid Waste (Refuse) and Recycling

OverviewResidential Multi-Family and Commerical Additional Recycling

Multi-Family and Commercial Refuse and Recycling

On March 2, 2009, the Village of Wheeling approved an extended five-year exclusive franchise agreement with Waste Management (WM) for the collection of commercial and multi-family (five or more units) refuse and recycling, as well as residential refuse, recycling and yard waste.  This agreement became effective on June 1, 2009 and ends on May 31, 2014.
 
All commercial and multi-family properties are required to utilize refuse and recycling container and collection services from Waste Management.  Costs for refuse and recycling containers and collections are based on the size of the container and the amount of collections per week.  In 2009, however, commercial establishments were provided the opportunity to receive one (1) ninety-six (96) gallon recycling cart collected once per week at no charge.  If establishments have not taken advantage of this opportunity, please contact WM.  Any commercial or multi-family property requiring more than one collection or a larger container will necessitate a charge.
 
Waste Management can be contacted at (800) 796-9696.

Battery Recycling

Batteries can contain toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium that should not be disposed of in landfills or incinerated. 
 
The Village of Wheeling is participating in the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) Battery Recycling Program.  Residents can recycle alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) and rechargeable batteries (NiCd, NiMh, lithium ion, lithium polymer) at three Village locations (see below).  Residents must tape the contact points with masking tape on each rechargeable battery or place rechargeable batteries in individual self-locking plastic bags to avoid sparks.   
 
Automotive batteries are not accepted. 
 
     Wheeling Village Hall
     2 Community Boulevard
     (847) 279-6900
     Monday - Friday
     7:00 am to 5:00 pm

     Wheeling Public Works
     77 W Hintz Rd
     (847) 279-6900
     Monday - Friday
     7:00 am - 3:00 pm

     Wheeling Pavilion Senior Center/Department of Human Services
     199 N. First Street
     847-459-2606
     M, W, Th, F: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
     T: 8:00 am to 9:00 pm
     The Battery Recycling Program begins on February 16, 2011 and concludes on December 31, 2011. 

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL)

Using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) is an easy way to save energy and money at home. These energy-efficient bulbs use much less electricity than an incandescent light bulb. Lighting accounts for close to 20% of the average home’s electric bill.  CFL also prevents greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change. 
 
Even though there are environmental and economic benefits in using CFL, each CFL contains a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing, an average of five milligrams (approximately the size of the tip of a ball point pen).  It is environmentally beneficial to recycle CFL rather than disposing it in the garbage.  Therefore, the Village of Wheeling, as a participant with the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC), provides a drop-off for Wheeling residents at:
 
     Public Works
     77 W. Hintz Rd.
     (847) 279-6900
     Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
     Not accepting 4' lights.
     Restricted to Wheeling Residents ONLY
  
If a CFL breaks:
Be careful when removing a CFL from its packaging, installing it, or replacing it when it burns out.  Always hold the base of the bulb – not the glass – when installing or removing a bulb and do not force the bulb into a socket. 
 
Because there is such a small amount of mercury in CFL’s, the greatest risk if a bulb breaks is getting cut from glass shards. Research indicates that there is no immediate health risk to you or your family should a bulb break and it is cleaned up immediately and properly. Risks can be minimized by following proper cleanup and disposal guidelines:
 
     • Sweep — do not vacuum — all of the glass fragments and fine particles.
 
     • Place broken pieces in a sealed plastic bag and wipe the area with a damp paper towel to pick up any stray shards of glass
        or fine particles. Put the used towel in the plastic bag as well.
 
    • If the weather permits, open windows to allow the room to ventilate.
 
 For other participating SWANCC communities please visit the SWANCC website:
http://www.swancc.org

Composting
          
Composting is nature’s process of recycling decomposed organic material into a rich soil known as finished compost or humus.   It is a simple and inexpensive way to dispose and recycle food scraps and yard waste that would otherwise enter the waste stream.  By composting organic waste, nutrients are returned back into the soil as a natural fertilizer for gardening or farming.
 
Residents may purchase composting bins from local home improvement centers in a variety of sizes.  Aside from monetary consideration, visibility and aesthetics of the bins should be considered.  Items that can be composted include kitchen waste (vegetable or fruit scraps), egg shells, corn stalk, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags (remove staples), cardboard, clean paper, untreated wood chips, sawdust, hay, dry straw, weeds, leaves and grass/lawn clippings.  Items that cannot be composted include chemically treated wood products, inorganic material (metal or plastic), diseased plants, meat/bones/fatty food waste, pernicious weeds (morning glory/bindweed, ivy, types of grasses – these can actually re-sprout from roots), human or pet waste.
 
Three key features that enable compost to be made quicker than its normal process and produce better quality are:  optimal balance of materials (even mix of brown materials such as leaves, dry straw, or sawdust and green waste such as kitchen waste, coffee grounds or tea bags), turning the compost often to add fresh oxygen, and maintaining moisture levels without having the compost too wet or soggy.
 
Residents can visit http://www.swancc.org/recycling/composting.html for additional information or other resources on the internet.

Document Destruction
 
The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) provides one-day document destruction events for SWANCC member communities, of which Wheeling is a member.  These events are only for residentially generated paper such as medical forms, bank statements, personal files, retired tax form, records and receipts.  Materials from businesses, schools, or institutions will not be accepted.
 
At events, documents are placed in a container and loaded to a shredder onsite.  Documents are cross-shredded, baled and recycled.  It is not necessary to remove paper clips or staples; however, binders must be removed.
 
To find a local one-day document destruction event, please visit www.swancc.org or contact (847) 724-9205. 
 
For businesses, schools and institutional document destruction, please contact SWANCC.

Electronics

In September 2009, Illinois adopted an electronics recycling law which will ban certain electronic items, mainly computers, monitors, televisions and printers, from Illinois landfills beginning in January 2012.  To assist residents with safe recycling, the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) is currently offering programs to SWANCC residents.  (SWANCC services Wheeling residents).
To donate electronics that are useable and in good working condition, residents can visit http://www.swancc.org/directory/computerdonation.html for organizations and locations.
To recycle items, below are current drop-off locations and times:

          Glenview Transfer Station
          1151 N. River Road
          Across from Maryville Academy
          Saturdays: 9 am – 11:30 am

          Winnetka Public Works
          1390 Willow Road        
          Tuesdays: 10 am to 12 pm
          Thursdays: 1 pm to 3 pm 
 
Acceptable items, only, include:  computers (PCs and laptops), computer monitors, DVD players, fax machines, mobile phones, MP3 players, PDAs, peripherals (mouse, keyboard, zip drives), printers, scanners, TVs, VHS players, and video game consoles.

Unacceptable items:  air conditioners, answering machines, blenders, calculators, camcorders, CDs/DVDs (games), copy machines, dehumidifiers, digital cameras, home appliances, humidifiers, microwaves, print cartridges, postage machines, power tools/cords, refrigerators, shredders, software, stereo equipment, telephone, toasters, typewriters, vacuum cleaners.

At Home Computer Pickup Program

SWANCC provides residents with the option to have electronics collected at the front door.  For a charge of $25.00, residents can recycle up to six (6) items.  Additional items are $5.00 each with a maximum of fifteen (15) items.  For more information on the At Home Computer Pickup Program, the items that are allowed for pickup, or to schedule a pickup, please contact SWANCC at 847-724-9205 or at http://www.swancc.org/recycling/computerelectronicsrecycling.html.

For further electronic recycling information, please contact SWANCC at (847) 724-9205 or www.swancc.org.

Holiday Lights Recycling

Beginning November 22, 2010, residents can recycle all holiday mini-lights, C7 lights, C9 lights, rope lights, LED lights and extension cords of all colors and lengths at:
                                   Department of Public Works
                                   77 W. Hintz Road
                                   Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 3 PM
                                   Phone: 847-279-6900
The recycling program will conclude on February 28, 2011.
Garland, live greens, wreaths or other non-recyclables are not accepted in this program.
 
Household Hazardous Chemicals
 
Household products, such as cleaners, lawn or garden care, hobbies, antifreeze, pesticides, etc., can contain hazardous ingredients that can be harmful to human health and the environment and require proper and safe disposal.  It is highly recommended, whenever possible, to purchase limited quantities of household hazardous products so that the amount of hazardous waste produced is limited. 
 
Annually, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) offers residents one-day Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collections throughout Illinois during the spring and fall months.  These events are at no charge to Illinois residents.  For more information on the IEPA one-day collections, please visit http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/hazardous-waste/household-haz-waste/hhwc-schedule.html  or contact 217-785-8604.
 
Long term (permanent) drop-off facilities are also available to Illinois residents for household hazardous chemical disposal.  Below are long-term facilities.  It is recommended to contact the facilities prior to visitation as hours may change during the year.  Latex paint is not accepted at any drop-off facility (please see below information on latex paint disposal).
 
Naperville Fire Station #4
1971 Brookdale Road
Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
630-420-4190
 
Rockford Rock River Reclamation District
3333 Kishwaukee
Sat., 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Sun., 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
815-387-7400
 
City of Chicago/IEPA
1150 N. Branch Street
Tues., 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Thurs., 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
1st Sat of each month:  8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
312-744-7606
 
Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO)
1311 N. Estes, Gurnee
By Appointment Only.
847-336-9340
 
Acceptable items include:  aerosol paints and pesticides; lawn chemicals; antifreeze; mercury; cleaning products; old gasoline; drain cleaners; oil-based paints; fluorescent lamp bulbs; paint thinners; herbicides; pesticides; hobby chemicals; pool chemicals; household batteries; solvents; insecticides; used motor oil.
 
Unacceptable items include:  agricultural waste; fireworks; business/commercial waste; institutional waste; explosives; farm machinery oil; smoke detectors; latex paint.  Lead acid batteries, propane tanks, and fire extinguishers may be accepted depending on contractors.  Please contact IEPA to verify if these items will be accepted at facilities.
 
LATEX PAINT
Because latex, or water-based, paint is not hazardous due to water replacing most of the oil based components in paint, they are not accepted at any Illinois drop-off facility.  The following are disposal alternatives for latex paint.
 
*Donate extra paint to an organization or another individual that may use it.  These may include charitable/non-profit groups, religious organizations, theatre groups, family or neighbors.


*Host a Paint Swap where leftover paints can be swapped for other leftover or unused paints from family, friends, or neighbors.


*Keep painting.  Place another coat of paint on or use as a primer.


*Paint other items or areas such as lumber pieces, inside of garages, or even furniture pieces.


*Store the paint for future use. Covering the top with a plastic wrap and securing the lid will help ensure that the paint will not leak and be maintained better.


*Proper disposal.  If other alternatives can not be used and disposal is necessary, residents must open paint cans in well-ventilated areas (i.e. outdoors) and add an absorbent such as kitty litter, sand, oil-dry, or shredded paper into the paint cans.  When the liquid paint is absorbed, and the paint is hardened, place lids back on the paint cans and dispose closed paint cans in regular refuse containers (not recycling!).  If paint cans are full, residents must divide the paint into empty cans to solidify or repeat the absorbent process.
 
For additional information on other possible drop-off locations for various household hazardous waste, please visit http://www.swancc.org/hcw/hcwcollection.html and http://www.swancc.org/greenPages/greenpages.html. 
 
Medical/Pharmaceuticals

The Prescription Drug and Sharps Disposal Program is held every third (3rd) Saturday of each month from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm.  The drop off location is now located at the Police Department entrance located at 1 Community Boulevard, Wheeling, Il.  For more information contact Beverly at 847-499-9045.
 
Wheeling residents can drop off unwanted medications and used sharps (needles and syringes).  Prescription and over- the- counter medications in original containers are accepted.  Controlled substances such as Oxycontin and Percocet are not accepted. 

Sharps must be in rigid containers with a sealed lid.  Sharps not in rigid containers WILL NOT be accepted.   New sharps containers are available through the Community Development Department Health Division located at 2 Community Boulevard.  Residents can also receive a new container when they drop off their full sharps container.
 
Rain Barrels
 
Rain barrels are containers that collect and store rainwater from rooftops via downspout that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains, creeks and rivers. Because it does not contain minerals, chlorine, fluoride or other chemicals, the stored rainwater in barrels provides a supply of water that is ideal for gardens, potted plants/flowers, lawns, and even bicycle and car washing. Rain barrels reduce storm water pollution and conserve water.
 
As part of their ongoing water conservation program, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) has rain barrels for sale for $50.00 each.  There is a limit of two (2) barrels per household.  MWRD only accepts orders that are placed on their website and purchased with a credit card.  No cash or check sales at pick-up locations.  There are also no returns or exchanges.  Rain barrels are 55 gallons with a diameter at 21 inches and height at 34 inches.
 
Residents are required to print their receipt when purchasing their rain barrel online and bringing their receipt and a vehicle to pick-up locations.  Rain barrel distribution takes place during the first Saturday, Tuesday or Thursday of each month only at:
 
     North Side Plant, 3500 W. Howard, Skokie
     Saturday 9 am-1 pm
     Tuesday 4 pm-7 pm
 
     Stickney Plant, 6001 W. Pershing, Cicero
     Saturday 9 am-1 pm
 
     Calumet Plant, 400 East 130th Street, Chicago
     Thursday 4 pm-7 pm
 
To order a rain barrel or receive more information, please go to www.mwrd.org and follow the link for rain barrels. Residents are reminded to please keep barrels hidden or camouflaged (behind bushes, etc.) if possible and to keep them along the side or rear of lots.