Defenders October Recycling Collection In Woodstock

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County (EDMC) will hold their October recycling collection from 9 a.m. - noon on Saturday, Oct. 9 at the McHenry County Farm Bureau parking lot, 1102 McConnell Road in Woodstock.

 

The monthly drive collects only certain materials that are not normally accepted by curbside trash haulers, but could damage the environment if put into landfills.  Area residents may drive up and drop off their recyclables.  Defenders volunteers will help to unload and sort the items, then transport them to outlets where they will be properly recycled

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Accepted items include car batteries, rechargeable batteries, and button batteries such as those used in watches or hearing aids.  Starting this month, however, the Defenders cannot accept single-use alkaline batteries. The reason: 

“Our processor no longer accepts these single-use batteries, so we have no place to take them,” explained Diane Oltman Ayers, outreach director.  “We have been told that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) advises they can safely be disposed of in a zip-lock type bag and placed in the trash. While this is not optimal, right now we have no other option.”

The Defenders Recycling Drive does accept fluorescent tubes, which contain mercury and must be properly disposed of. A small donation is requested to cover processors’ fees for recycling fluorescent bulbs and batteries.

There is no charge to drop off clean, white block styrofoam or bagged styrofoam packing “peanuts” and unpopped, reusable bubble wrap.

 

Starting this month, the drive will also take electronics such as computers, phones, printers, and electronic toys.  TVs and computer monitors will be accepted for a transportation fee of $25 for screens 26 inches or less, or $35 for screens larger than 26 inches. 

The Defenders Recycling Day is held on the second Saturday of each month at alternate locations:  at the Farm Bureau lot in Woodstock during even-numbered months, and at the Metra station lot in McHenry during odd-numbered months.  In McHenry, the group also collects and pays for aluminum, brass, and copper recyclables.

For more information about the Defenders Recycling Day schedule and the types of materials accepted at each location, visit the Defenders’   website or phone (815) 338-0393 during normal business hours.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a citizen-based, 501c3 not-for-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment.  Donations are encouraged and are tax-deductible as charitable contributions.  For more information, visit www.mcdef.org or phone (815) 338-0393.