Communities Kick in $62,000 to Keep Electronics Recycling Sites Open in Lake County

Photo credit: SWALCO

LAKE COUNTY, IL - The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County reversed its decision last week to close five electronics recycling sites in the county after local governments donated $62,000 to keep the program running through the end of this year.

The SWALCO board of directors previously voted to close the five sites, located in Grayslake, Highland Park, Waukegan, Grant Township and Cuba Township, on May 1. During a meeting on April 14, the board of directors approved the voluntary funding from 15 Lake County units of local government in order to keep the sites open, according to the SWALCO news release.

RELATED: SWALCO to Close 5 Electronic Recycling Spots in Lake County

The village of Grayslake is credited with leading the discussion on ways to keep the electronics recycling program going. The village also pitched in $20,000 to keep the sites open.

“I am proud that the Village of Grayslake was a leader, encouraging continuation of the electronics recycling program,” said Village of Grayslake Mayor Rhett Taylor. “Electronics recycling is a much needed service for our residents and the Village of Grayslake was happy to volunteer funds to lead the effort in keeping this service available to residents during 2016.”

The Richard A. Whittington Grayslake Recycling Center at 585 Barry Avenue collected over 800,000 pounds of electronics in 2015.

Several electronics recycling sites throughout the suburbs have been forced to close due to a lack of state funding. Due to the high cost of recycling certain electronics, the funds collected by the state from manufacturers has become insufficient to cover recycling costs, forcing many permanent collection facilities to pay the difference or close.

Moving forward, SWALCO is expected to meet in June to see how it will handle funding for electronics recycling sites in the future. Some of that will hinge on whether the state amends the Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act, which local officials say is outdated.

Electronics Recycling Sites in Lake County

• Cuba Township Road District Facility, 28070 W. Cuba Road in Barrington. Open 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday.
• Grant Township Road District Facility, 2535 Molidor Road in Ingleside: Open Monday through Friday from 9: a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Grayslake Public Works Facility, 585 Berry Avenue in Grayslake. Open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
• Highland Park Firearms Training Center, 1180 Half Day Road in Highland Park. Open every Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the first Saturday of every month from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Waukegan Public Works Facility, 1700 McAree Road in Waukegan. Open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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