Many of the items we have and use in our homes cannot be recycled with the weekly collection. Additionally, simply throwing them away can cause pollution of our water system when toxic products leech into the water supply. The following information is to help you determine the best way to dispose of those questionable items.
Mercury Thermostats
Normal Public Works will accept old thermostats from McLean County residents at their facility located at 1301 Warriner Street (just inside the office door). Their hours are 7 am–2:30 pm Monday–Friday (Labor to Memorial Day), 6 am-1 pm (Memorial to Labor Day), First Saturday of the Month 8 am-12 pm.
Latex Paint
Latex paint is not considered hazardous waste and can be disposed of with regular garbage if dried to a solid form. The best means to dry it out is to pour it out onto several layers of newspaper or other disposable material, allow it to dry completely, and then roll up the newspaper and throw it away. Oil based paints CANNOT be disposed of in the trash but rather must wait for a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event.
Landscaping Waste
To reduce waste, try composting at home. Bloomington and Normal both have drop-off areas for residents for grass clippings and leaves. For more information about grass clipping and leaf drop-off in Bloomington, please call 309-434-2225 or visit the Bloomington Recycling and Garbage web page. For more information about drop-off in Normal, please call 309-454-9571, or visit Normal’s Leaf, Brush, Landscape Waste and Bulky Waste collection web page.
Large Appliances
Appliances in working order may be donated to Homes of Hope, 401 Pine St., Normal, 309-862-0607. Non-working appliances are collected in municipal bulky waste programs in Bloomington and Normal.
Other locations include Habitat for Humanity, 1402 W Washington St, Bloomington 309-454-6047, Chambers Service, Inc, 1102 1/2 W McArthur Blvd, Bloomington, 309-823-9837, OK Appliances & TV, 906 Four Seasons Rd, Bloomington, 309-663-4221.
Clothing, Textiles and Shoes
Home Sweet Home Ministries’s Mission Mart will accept usable or unusable clothing, textiles, and shoes for reuse or recycling. The Mission Mart Drop Off Center is at 1704 W. Washington Avenue, Bloomington, around the back at 303 E. Oakland, Bloomington. Open Monday–Saturday 9 am–8 pm or use the 24 hour drop-off.
Household Chemicals and Pesticides
The Illinois EPA conducts Household Hazardous waste events in locations around the state. To find out what materials are accepted in this program, and when it will be in your area, please visit the Illinois EPA Household Hazardous Waste Collections Web page or see our page on the EAC’s efforts to organize a McLean County HHW Collection Event.
Furniture and Household Items
Recycling Furniture for Families, 515 North Center St, Bloomington, IL 61701, 309-829-6500. Hours of operation are Monday–Friday 9 am–5 pm, and Saturday 9 am–12 pm. Looking for clean, gently used furniture. Items such as headboards & bed frames, mattresses, dressers, couches, entertainment centers, tables, dining tables and chairs, end tables, night stands, coffee tables, dishes, glasses, silverware, pots and pans, strollers, and other various household items and furniture. RFI is also looking for volunteers. Contact them at the phone number above for more information. Visit their website at www.recyclingfurnitureforfamilies.org.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 1402 W. Washington St. Their store hours are Wednesday–Friday 10 am–5 pm, and Saturday 9 am–4 pm. It accepts any household items that are unused but still in working condition. Doors, windows, cabinets, coffee tables, appliances, and even building and remodeling materials are accepted and used to help families upgrade their homes. Pick-up dates are available if you schedule them in advance. Call (309) 454-6047 for questions or to schedule a pick-up. Also visit their website.
Propane Tanks
FS Farmtown, Rt. 150, Bloomington, 309-662-9321. There is a $25 disposal fee. Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm Saturday 8 am- 12 pm
Fire Extinguishers
Illini Fire Equipment, 1709 W. Washington, Bloomington, 309-829-3301. Tuesday 8 am-12 pm or 24 hour drop off with attached note.
Automotive Tires
Tires can be recycled at any tire store for a small fee (about $2.50) for proper disposal. Larger tires cost more. Call stores for details.
Smoke Detectors
Many smoke detectors contain a small amount of Americum 241, so it is important not to open the detector. The EPA suggests calling the manufacturer of the detector to make arrangements to send it back to the manufacturer.
Business or Commercial Hazardous Wastes
Institutional wastes should be collected by a commercial waste hauler, such as Safety Kleen in Pekin, 309-346-1818. For a list of other licensed special waste haulers and permitted facilities in Illinois, call the Office of Small Business toll-free at 1-888-EPA-1996.
Nonworking appliances and other scrap metal recycling
Morris Tick buys ferrous and nonferrous metals: 501 E Stewart St Bloomington, IL 61701
(309) 828-6084
Brian Edward picks up old appliances or including those with freon; he can be reached at (309) 310-2158.
Vegetable Oil
Contact Diesel Dick’s at (309-828-1714). He is located at 508 N. Madison in Bloomington, bring the oil in a container.
Concrete and Asphault
Contact McLean County Asphalt and Concrete Company at (309-827-4811), for their drop off location. Credit given per ton. Their office is 1100 W. Market St, Bloomington.
Cut-Down Trees
Twin City Wood Recycling at (309-827-9663), which is located at 1606 W. Oakland, Bloomington, IL.
