Recycling & Yard Waste
Click here for Recycling Guidelines in English and Spanish.
Reducing household waste starts with source reduction—choosing products that create less waste throughout their life cycle. Look for items with minimal packaging, longer durability, and options for refilling or reuse. Many manufacturers now offer refillable products or reduced packaging to make this easier.
If you live in an incorporated area, check your municipality’s website for the most current waste and recycling guidelines. In unincorporated areas, residents choose their own hauler and should review the services each company provides.
All residential waste haulers include standard recycling at no extra cost. Accepted materials and container types may vary by hauler, but most offer commingled recycling, allowing paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, and plastics to be placed together in one bin.
Recycling containers can be any clearly labeled bin, can, or cart, unless your hauler specifies otherwise. Items like glass, cans, and plastic bottles do not need to be rinsed, though rinsing is optional if you want to reduce odors or pests.
Avoid common contaminants that disrupt recycling programs—see The Recycling Bin’s Dirty Dozen for what should never go in your bin.
Electronics Recycling
Technology has created a new waste stream, electronics. Electronics don’t last forever, and some items, such as phones, laptops, and games, need to be replaced every few years. Some other types of E-waste have longer life spans, such as TVs and desktop computers.
Proper disposal of E-waste is now a state law to protect our environment from the heavy metals (i.e., lead) that can leech into our soils and groundwater. These wastes are banned from landfills, and other options must be utilized.
Curbside Electronic Waste Pick-Up
Properties within the town limits of some municipalities are served by waste haulers that will pick up electronics (including TV’s) curbside for recycling. For general questions, please contact your waste hauler.
For more information regarding curbside services, please select your town.
A-Team Recyclers is a “curbside” pickup program option available to all Kendall County residents. For a fee, they can come to your property and pick up E-waste. Click here to visit A-Team Recyclers website or call them at 815-630-4308 for more information.
Household Hazardous Waste
Household hazardous waste items consist of leftover household products such as cleaning products, pesticides, motor oils, non-latex-based paints, and other chemicals. These items can contain hazardous ingredients and require special care for disposal. These waste items can be recycled at the household hazardous waste drop-off site in Naperville, located at:
156 Fort Hill Drive
Naperville, IL 60540
630-420-6095
Click here for more information and a list of accepted items.
What else can you do with unused and leftover paint (latex-water-based)?
- Keep the paint to touch up old paint jobs or use it to paint something new.
- Add an absorbent to the paint can, such as cat litter, sawdust, or shredded paper. Once it has solidified, discard it in regular waste.
- Donate the leftover paint to a friend, family member, school, or even a local theater.
Yard Waste
Yard waste within city limits can be picked up by your village’s waste hauler. Please contact the hauler for details and schedules for pickup.
Have more questions regarding recycling? Contact the Kendall County Health Department’s Environmental Health Services at 630-553-9100.