CARBONDALE – Illinois EPA is sponsoring a free, one-day household chemical collection event Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the south parking lot at the Banterra Center on the SIU Campus in Carbondale. This is a rain or shine event. 

Residents who want safely drop off waste are asked to schedule an appointment online at jchdonline.org or call 618-684-3143 Ext. 128.

Items to be accepted at the collection include paint thinner, aerosols, household cleaners, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, motor oil, antifreeze, old gasoline, rechargeable batteries, solvents, polishes, pool chemicals, lawn chemicals, oil-based and latex paint. Mercury-containing devices, such as thermometers, thermostats and fluorescent bulbs will also be accepted. New items to be accepted at this event include E-cigarettes/vapes, small propane cylinders, disposable helium tanks, and mapp-gas cylinders.

Items which will not be accepted at the collection include explosives, ammunition, fireworks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, farm machinery oil, medical waste, electronics, alkaline & lead-acid batteries, appliances, tires, radioactive material, and medical waste. No business, agricultural, or government wastes accepted. Eligible participants wishing to dispose of materials in containers larger than five gallons are asked to contact the health department prior to the event.

For medical waste disposal such as old medicines and sharps (needles), visit jchdonline.org/sharps-disposal & https://www.hsidn.org/medication-disposal-resources for resources in Jackson County and surrounding areas.

Please contact Jackson County Health Department at 618-684-3143, Ext. 128 for more information or visit www.jchdonline.org.