Poison disposal day? Not this spring

Garage-clearing residents in central Kane County who want to get rid of household poisons like paint thinner or antifreeze will have to drive farther this spring to do it.

The county has been passed over this year for a household hazardous waste collection day, due to budget issues with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Typically, the state teams up with local governments for about 10 collections each in the spring and fall. Last May, residents from 1,165 households dropped off enough materials at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles to fill 198 55-gallon drums. The materials are handled by waste firm hired by the state.

"We've been extremely fortunate to have them most years," said Gary Mielke, the county's recycling coordinator.

Kane County applied to have another one this year, offering to pay $30,000 toward the cost. Typically, the collection costs the IEPA about $70,000.

But when the IEPA's Bureau of Land Management's list of chosen sites is due to be released next week, Kane County will not be on the list, Mielke said.

They won't be alone. Out of the more than 70 locations that requested a collection day, only six were selected this year. They are ranked with a formula based on the amount of matter expected to be collected, the date the application was received, and how long it has been since that site had a collection. A small collection can cost the IEPA $50,000 or less; large ones, more than $100,000.

Residents of central and southern Kane County can instead haul their waste to a permanent recycling site at Naperville Fire Station 4. It accepts the materials from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, except holidays. The station is at Route 59 and Brookdale Road, a half-mile south of I-88.

Residents with Carpentersville, Dundee, Elgin, Gilberts, Hampshire and South Elgin mailing addresses are served by a pickup service paid for by the county, Elgin, Carpentersville and South Elgin. To schedule a pickup, call (800) 449-7587.