How Will Residents Recycle Electronics When HP Center Closes?

With the Highland Park Electronics Recycling Center scheduled to close at the end of April, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff and other Lake County residents will have to find alternatives when it comes to dealing with their unwanted TVs and laptops.

But what are those options?

RELATED: SWALCO to Close 5 Electronic Recycling Spots in Lake Co.

Because of the drop in commodity prices, which funds the county's electronics recycling program along with manufacturers, the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County decided to close its five drop-off locations earlier this month, including sites in Barrington, Grayslake, Ingleside and Waukegan. But the agency is still trying to find ways to keep county-run electronics recycling, the Daily North Shore reports.

The state prohibits dumping electronics in landfills, so residents can't just stick them on the curb on trash day. Illinois legislators have proposed a bill that would change the state's current recycling regulations to create a long-term funding solution, according to the Daily North Shore.

SWALCO's board will meet April 14 to discuss short-term solutions that will keep electronics recycling service alive in the county. In fact, the Village of Grayslake has offered to pony up $20,000 from its volunteer fund to keep the program solvent through the year, according to the Daily North Shore.

Barring an 11th hour reversal of the closing, the Highland Park center, 1180 Half Day Road, will accept drop-offs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and the first Saturday of the month until April 26. After that, Lake Forest and Lake Bluff residents still will have options to deal with their unwanted electronics:

• Lake Forest: Residents can drop off electronics from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays at the Highway 60 compost center.
• Lake Bluff: Residents can bring items to Midwest Computer Recycling, 101 Skokie Valley Road, which accepts computers and other electronics. Residents will be expected to pay for the service, however.