Materials Management

The Illinois EPA Materials Management Unit supports programs and provides information that help Illinois residents maximize the amount of material diverted from landfills. This includes, but is not limited to, offering recycling guidance, coordinating household hazardous waste collections, and supporting medication collection activities throughout Illinois.

State law prohibits landfilling many common electronic items, including televisions and computers. As a result, manufacturers of those devices are required to fund the collection and recycling of many types of electronics. Each year, electronics manufacturers, recyclers, and collectors register with the Illinois EPA. In addition, the Illinois EPA conducts site visits at registered collectors and recyclers to determine compliance with applicable law.

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Recycling
Electronics Recycling
Beyond the Bin (General Recycling Information and Electronics Recycling Mapping Tool)

Unused or unwanted medicine needs to be disposed of properly to help prevent accidental poisoning, substance abuse, and contamination of water resources. The Illinois EPA supports more than 100 pharmaceutical collection sites operated by units of local government across the state. Each year interested units of local government apply to the Illinois EPA for funding and subject to appropriation, the Illinois EPA supports up to $1 million of collections. The Illinois EPA is responsible for the collection, site selection, and reviewing contractor invoices for payment.

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Medication Disposal
Sharps

Each year, the Illinois EPA supports 12-15 one-day household hazardous waste collections, four permanent household hazardous waste collection facilities, 10-15 paint collection locations, and nearly 100 hazardous educational waste collections across the state. The Illinois EPA is responsible for the collection, site selection, and reviewing contractor invoices for payment.

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Household Hazardous Wastes
Collections and Acceptable Wastes
Hazardous Educational Waste (HEW) Program

State law bans the sale of several mercury-containing products, including thermostats and thermometers. In addition, state law requires that a manufacturer that elects to use mercury in a product demonstrate that its use is necessary because of the absence of other alternative options. The Illinois EPA is responsible for reviewing and evaluating annual reports filed by the entity that supports the mercury thermostat collection program in Illinois and reviewing applications for exemptions from the ban on mercury in products.

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Mercury (general)
Mercury in the Home

State law bans the landfilling of used or waste tires. Tires that have reached the end of their useful life must be sent to an appropriately permitted tire disposal or recycling facility. The Illinois EPA reviews applications to permit these facilities and, where appropriate, issues permits. The Illinois EPA advises motorists purchasing new tires to leave their used tires with their retailer, who must, by law, accept used tires for recycling.

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Used Tires

State law requires several types of non-hazardous waste facilities, including landfills and compost facilities, to report the volume of material to the Illinois EPA that is accepted each year. The Illinois EPA is responsible for reviewing the submitted reports and, in some cases, generating an annual report that is published online. Compostable waste collections can be conducted under local approval without having to obtain a waste permit from the Illinois EPA, as long as certain requirements are followed.

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Composting
A Summary of Regulatory Requirements for Composting Facilites

The Illinois EPA provides guidance and support related to food waste, including food waste reduction tips and ideas (e.g., how to help your community, how to save money, alternatives to the landfill, food donation information).

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Food Waste