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Recycling Collection
General Guidelines
- Residential recycling containers are available by calling the Public Works Department at 847-716-3568.
- All containers must be out at curbside and ready for collection by 7 AM on the scheduled pickup day.
- Please do not place recycling containers at the curb until dusk the evening prior to your collection day.
- Containers must be oriented so the lid opens on the street side with the handle on the house side.
- Residents are not charged for recyclables.
- Recyclables may be commingled in one cart.
- Paper products should not be bundled or tied.
- Containers should be rinsed.
Recycling is provided free of charge to any Winnetka business that uses the Village’s refuse services.
- Electronics Recycling
- Styrofoam Recycling
- Battery Recycling
- Paint Recycling
- Household Chemical Waste
- Cork Recycling
- Mattress Recycling
- Plastics Recycling
Electronics Recycling
The Electronics Product Recycling and Reuse Act forbids the disposal of residential electronic items in landfills. Winnetka is one of two permanent drop-off locations for residential electronic recycling - residents may drop off electronics free of charge at the following location:
Winnetka Public Works Yards
1390 Willow Road, Winnetka, IL, 60093
Thursdays from 1 PM to 3 PM
The Village’s Electronics Recycling Program runs from April to November each year.
Transfer Station
The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) is an agency that provides environmentally responsible recycling for computers and electronics. Winnetka residents may also drop-off their electronics at the Glenview SWANCC Transfer Station (1151 North River Road). The Transfer Station is open most Saturdays from 9 AM to 11 AM. These materials will then be recycled through the SWANCC program.
Acceptable Electronic Items for Recycling
Styrofoam Recycling
Winnetka has year-round polystyrene recycling (both block-style and clean food service ) offered through a partnership between the Winnetka Public Works Department, the Winnetka Environmental and Forestry Commission, and Dart Container Corporation.
Winnetka residents may drop off block-style and food service Styrofoam free of charge at the following location:
Winnetka Public Works Yards
1390 Willow Road, Winnetka, IL, 60093
Mondays from 1 - 3 PM (weather permitting)
Other recycling options:
- ABT 1200 N. Milwaukee Ave, Glenview during store hours, 7 day per week
Battery Recycling
Public Works staff was notified by Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) that Interstate Batteries of North Chicago in Lake Zurich has stopped picking up or processing the batteries collected from SWANCC communities. As a result of Interstate’s failure to service the Agency’s program under the current contract, staff is asking that communities discontinue collecting batteries from residents at this time. The Village of Winnetka no longer collect batteries.
Please see SWANCC's Battery Informational Handout (PDF) for more information on recycling batteries.
Latex Paint
Latex paint is not considered a toxic material and is not accepted at Household Chemical Waste (HCW) facilities. It can be disposed of at home because it is water-based paint. You can add an absorbent material such as shredded newspapers, kitty litter, sawdust, or waste paint hardener to your latex paint and let it dry out completely in a well-ventilated area and away from children and pets. Once it is dry, put the container in your regular garbage with the lid off so the waste hauler knows the can is empty.
Do you have a lot of leftover latex paint? There is a company that will provide a pick-up service for a fee. For more information visit Got Paint Pickup’s website or call 312-882-7266.
Oil Based Paint
Oil-based paint, stains, solvents and paint thinners contain lead, cadmium and other highly toxic chemicals should be taken to an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency-sponsored (IEPA) household chemical waste facility for safe disposal. There is no fee to Illinois residents.
If you are a resident or a business that has a lot of oil-based paint and solvents, ePaint Recycling has a drop-off in Arlington Heights. Call them at 847-666-8351.
Household Chemical Waste
The Village does not accept Household Chemical Waste materials and these items must be taken to a Household Chemical Waste (HCW) facilities which are sponsored by the IEPA and are available to all Illinois residents at no cost - but no materials will be accepted from schools, businesses or institutions.
Cork Recycling
Wine corks may be recycled at:
- Good Grapes
821 Chestnut Court
Winnetka, IL 60093 - Wildfire Restaurant
1300 Patriot Boulevard
Glenview, IL 60026
Mattress Recycling
For more information on how to properly recycle a mattress, please see Tuck Mattress’ Disposal Guide.
Typically, plastics that can be recycled are plastics #1 - 5 and #7. Plastic bags cannot be recycled in your bin, but many grocery stores have drop off locations for plastic bag recycling.