CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Old drain cleaners under the sink? Mysterious chemicals in your garage? You’re not alone—and now there’s a safe way to get rid of them.
On Saturday, August 9, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), in partnership with local governments, will host its annual Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Event in Champaign County. Residents can sign up now for a free, 15-minute drop-off slot at hhwevent.simplybook.me, or call 217-403-4780 for assistance.
Nichole Millage, Environmental Sustainability Specialist with the City of Champaign Public Works Department, joined Community Focus on Illini Media Group stations with host, Callie Luttman, to explain the importance of this event. “These products could be flammable or toxic,” Millage said. “They can pose real health and environmental dangers if not disposed of properly.”
Accepted items include household cleaners, lawn chemicals, pesticides, pool chemicals, and prescription medications. However, commercial and farm-related waste is not accepted. Latex paint, though commonly brought to events, is also excluded but can be dried out and disposed of with regular trash.
Millage encourages residents to label their items, separate them from other belongings in their vehicles, and bring their registration confirmation for a smooth process.
Plans are also in motion for a permanent HHW drop-off facility in Urbana, spearheaded by the nonprofit Champaign County Environmental Stewards. The City of Champaign has contributed $150,000 toward the project, with the hope of opening in 2026. The facility would provide ongoing access for residents to safely dispose of hazardous materials, electronics, and eventually latex paint.
Additionally, Champaign’s fall electronics recycling event is scheduled for Saturday, October 11. Registration opens on September 1 at ecycle.simplybook.me.
For residents looking to reduce their waste impact daily, Millage encourages small changes: “View items differently—reuse, recycle, or donate before you toss,” she said. “The landfill should be the last resort.”
More info on local recycling and disposal resources can be found on the City of Champaign’s sustainability web pages. To hear this interview on Soundcloud, as well as the rest of the Community Focus interviews, visit here.