Electronic Ban at Landfills Imposed Beginning Jan. 1

Effective Jan. 1, 2012, refuse and recycling haulers will no longer accept any electronic item as part of their regular collection.

• See the details in Lake Bluff.

• See the details in Lake Forest.

The new Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act prohibits dumping electronic items in landfills. After Jan. 1, any electronic item placed at the curb for collection will not be picked up. 

The law makes it illegal for consumers to set out banned items in the trash and makes it illegal for landfills to accept them. Violations carry a $7,000 fine.

If you are getting new electronics for Christmas, just setting them out for pick will no longer suffice. 

However, there are a few options available to Lake Forest and Lake Bluff residents to assist with electronic recycling needs.

Prohibited electronic items will be collected during recycling collection events hosted by SWALCO. Residents could also consider donating good working equipment to a charitable organization, use an at-home collection serviec or take them to a retail store that accepts electronics for recycling.

Solid Waste Agency of Lake County

• 490 Greenleaf Dr., Vernon Hills
• 847-336-9340

Midwest Computer Recycling

• 101 Skokie Valley Road, Lake Bluff
• 847-582-1730

For more places to get rid of your electronic waste items, visit: www.GreenerGadgets.org.