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SWALCO Household Chemical Waste Drop-off (Gurnee)

Permanent drop-off A household hazardous waste drop-off site run by Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) in Gurnee, Lake County, Illinois.

Address: 1311 North Estes Street, Gurnee, IL 60031
Hours: Twice a month by appointment, except December (next drop-off Saturday, October 31, 2026, 7:00 am-2:00 pm)
Who can use it: Illinois residents; household waste only, no business or institutional waste
Cost: Free
Appointment: Required
Phone: 847-377-4950

Official page ↗Directions ↗

Call ahead. Hours, limits and accepted items change, and sites close for weather and holidays. Confirm with Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) at 847-377-4950 before you load the car.

What you can bring

✓Paint
✓Batteries
–Motor oil
✓Antifreeze
✓Gasoline
✓Fluorescent bulbs
✕Electronics
✕Propane
✓Pesticides
✓Pool chemicals

✓ accepted · ✕ not accepted · – not listed by the source. Exact wording from the official list is below.

Accepted (official list)Gasoline; antifreeze; brake fluid; acids; aerosol cans; spray paint; asbestos; alkaline batteries; rechargeable batteries; lithium batteries; button batteries; damaged batteries; cooking oil; drain cleaners; household cleaners; driveway sealer; paint removers; fertilizers; herbicides; pesticides; insecticides; fluorescent lamps; CFLs; latex paint; oil-based paints; stains; varnishes; mercury thermometers; thermostats; nail polish; pool chemicals; solvents; kerosene; paint thinners

What they won’t take

Not accepted (official list)Agricultural chemicals; medications; car batteries; marine batteries; business waste; explosives; ammunition; fire extinguishers; fireworks; electronics; lab chemicals; medical waste; sharps; propane tanks; smoke detectors; carbon monoxide detectors; tires

Limits

Quantity limitsContainers no larger than a 5-gallon bucket; no more than 20 gallons of any one waste type

Rules and residency

Who can use itIllinois residents; household waste only, no business or institutional waste

Note from the sourceFrom Route 41 take Delany Road north to Grove Avenue east to Estes Street.

Note from the sourceSWALCO also runs mobile collections around Lake County, usually April through October.

Note from the sourceOctober 2026 drop-off days were October 10 and October 31.

Note from the sourceConflict: Kane County's page says SWALCO drop-offs fall on the 2nd and 4th Saturday; SWALCO's own October 2026 dates (October 10 and 31) do not follow that pattern.

Note from the sourceConflict: The Illinois EPA lists SWALCO at 847-336-9340; SWALCO's own contact page gives 847-377-4950.

Map

Open in Google Maps · OpenStreetMap

Nearby alternatives

Distances are straight-line from this site. Most programs only serve their own residents: check “who can use it” first.

Chicago Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility
Permanent drop-off · 35 mi away · 1150 North North Branch Street, Chicago, IL 60642
Who can use it: Chicago residents (the city page says all Chicagoans are welcome); household waste only, no business waste
Naperville Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Permanent drop-off · 45 mi away · 156 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville, IL 60540
Who can use it: All Illinois residents, regardless of county or town; household waste only, no business waste
Lockport One-Day Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Collection event · 57 mi away · 18101 West Oak Avenue, Lockport, IL 60441 · Date: Sat, Oct 31, 2026
Who can use it: Open to all Illinois residents; household waste only, no business waste
Rockford Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Permanent drop-off · 62 mi away · 3315 Kishwaukee Street, Rockford, IL 61109
Who can use it: Illinois residents; household waste only, no business waste
Madison County Household Hazardous Waste Collection (Wood River)
Collection event · 269 mi away · 249 North Old St. Louis Road, Wood River, IL 62095 · Date: Sat, Oct 10, 2026, Sat, Nov 14, 2026, Sat, Dec 12, 2026, Sat, Jan 9, 2027, Sat, Feb 13, 2027, Sat, Mar 13, 2027, Sat, Apr 10, 2027, Sat, May 8, 2027, Sat, Jun 12, 2027, Sat, Jul 10, 2027, Sat, Aug 14, 2027, Sat, Sep 11, 2027, Sat, Oct 9, 2027, Sat, Nov 13, 2027, Sat, Dec 11, 2027
Who can use it: Free for all Illinois residents; appointment required

All programs in Lake County →

FAQ

Who can use SWALCO Household Chemical Waste Drop-off (Gurnee)?

Illinois residents; household waste only, no business or institutional waste

Is it free?

Free

Do I need an appointment?

Yes. The official page says an appointment is required.

Can I bring old paint?

Accepted: spray paint. Accepted: paint removers. Accepted: latex paint. Accepted: oil-based paints. Accepted: paint thinners.

Can I bring batteries?

Accepted: alkaline batteries. Accepted: rechargeable batteries. Accepted: lithium batteries. Accepted: button batteries. Accepted: damaged batteries. Not accepted: car batteries. Not accepted: marine batteries.

What will they turn away?

Agricultural chemicals; medications; car batteries; marine batteries; business waste; explosives; ammunition; fire extinguishers; fireworks; electronics; lab chemicals; medical waste; sharps; propane tanks; smoke detectors; carbon monoxide detectors; tires

Last checked Mon, Oct 26, 2026, checked against the program’s own official page. Sources:

Coordinates: US Census Geocoder (Non_Exact). See something out of date? Report a correction.