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According to the Chicago Recycling Coalition, hazardous household waste includes household products that "pose dangers to our groundwater, soil, wildlife, and public health." Examples are "oil-based paints, pesticides, automotive fluids, mercury thermometers, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, weed killers, insecticides, drain cleaners, home photo and hobby chemicals, cleaning products, thinners and strippers, acids/bases, aerosols, and antifreeze."

We found a link to Purdue's Guide for Household Waste Disposal through the EPA. It includes a list of disposal do's and don'ts, as well as a list of which household cleaners should be flushed, and which should be saved for collection.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency provides a schedule with dates, times, and sites for hazardous household waste collection. There are also long-term drop-off facilities (listed below the schedule) in Chicago, Naperville, and Rockford.

The Federal EPA lists an overview of how to dispose of household waste, although they don't provide links to local disposal sites. To find the HHW collection site nearest you, check with your State Environmental Protection Agency.

AT:LA also has a great post with collection sites across the country.

Photo: Morguefile