Illinois Spring Cleaning: 9 Things You Can’t Throw Away

Illinois Spring Cleaning: What You Can’t Throw Away

It’s that time of year in Illinois when we start looking around at some of the stuff we have accumulated in the last year or so and making the decision on what stays and what goes.

You know, so we’re getting into the swing of spring cleaning in the Land of Lincoln.

READ MORE: Illinois Recycling Rules That Confuse Almost Everyone

Why Some Items Are Banned From Illinois Landfills

That means cleaning out the garage and basement of things that you might not use anymore. While mostly anything can be donated or straight-up trashed for delivery to a landfill, there are some things that just won’t go there.

While some bans have been in place since 1970, with the most recent instituted in 2012, it’s still a good reminder to take a look at what can’t go in the garbage in Illinois.

Items that contain toxic materials which can contaminate water and soil, produce gases, or even cause disease can’t go in a landfill.

READ MORE: How to Properly Dispose of Hazardous Waste in Illinois

That said, here are the 9 things banned from the dump in Illinois.

• Yard Waste
• Tires
• Appliances
• Car Batteries
• Motor Oil
• Hazardous Chemicals
• Anything made of mercury
• Fluorescent lamps
• Electronics

What to Do With Items That Can’t Go in the Trash

If you think, “Welp, I guess I’m just stuck with these forever,” think again.

There’s a host of curbside pickup programs and recycling drop-off events you’ll just need to know where to look.

The first place to look would be on social media sites like Facebook.