What we take, and what we can't

What we take

• Furniture of every kind
• Appliances
• Mattresses and box springs
• TVs and electronics
• Hot tubs and above-ground pools
• Swing sets, playsets and trampolines
• Yard waste and brush
• Sheds, decks and fencing
• Remodeling debris
• Garage, basement and attic junk
• Office furniture and equipment
• Exercise equipment

What we cannot take

Household hazardous waste does not go in a junk truck. Please set these aside before we come:

• Wet paint, stains and solvents
• Pesticides, pool and lawn chemicals
• Motor oil, gasoline and antifreeze
• Propane tanks and other gas cylinders
• Asbestos
• Medical waste and needles
• Ammunition and fireworks

Where hazardous waste can go

• Illinois EPA one-day collection, Saturday, October 31, 2026, Shiloh Baptist Church, 18101 West Oak Avenue, Lockport, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free and open to all Illinois residents; pre-registration is required. Explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, agricultural chemicals and business waste are not accepted.
• Naperville household hazardous waste facility, 156 Fort Hill Dr., Naperville. Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cook County lists it as open to Illinois residents and suggests calling first: 630-420-6095.
• Chicago residents: the city's Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility, 1150 N. North Branch St. (Tuesday 7 a.m. to noon, Thursday 2 to 7 p.m., first Saturday of the month 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.). It does not take latex paint.
• Latex paint: the City of Chicago's advice is to dry it out with kitty litter, shredded paper or sawdust, then throw the dried paint and the can away.
• Car batteries: Illinois requires stores that sell lead-acid batteries to take used ones back, one for each new battery sold.

Sources:

• Illinois EPA: household hazardous waste collections
• Illinois EPA: household hazardous waste
• Cook County Green Guide
• City of Chicago: Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility

Where things go after pickup

We recycle what can be recycled and dispose of the rest properly. Electronics go to recyclers, since Illinois keeps them out of landfills. Metal goes to scrap. If you would rather donate usable items yourself before we arrive, these drop-off spots are close to Chicago Ridge:

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 15441 S Cicero Ave, Oak Forest. (708) 755-1840.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Chicago South), 6057 S. Western Ave., Chicago. (312) 563-0296.
• Salvation Army Thrift Store and Donation Center, 8732 S. Cicero Ave, Oak Lawn. 1-800-SA-TRUCK.
• Goodwill Store and Donation Center, 7770 S. Cicero Ave., Burbank.
• Goodwill Store and Donation Center, 7400 W. 159th St., Orland Park.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Will-Grundy), 1395 Larkin Avenue, Joliet. (815) 714-7100.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 868 Illinois Rte 59, Naperville. (630) 518-4245.

Call ahead to check what each one accepts and when.

Sources:

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore locator
• The Salvation Army, Oak Lawn
• Goodwill locations