Recycle to Control Solid Waste

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Douglas County does not have a landfill; being dependent on other county landfills, Douglas County residents “Reduce Reuse and Recycle“.

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Why is this a concern for you?

 

If the landfill closes, you can count on higher waste removal fees, along with many other problems, when there is no longer a home for the 4.4 pounds of garbage that every person produces each day. The good news is that we can work together to prolong the life of our landfill and prevent higher disposal rates.

 

The solution: RECYCLE!

 Reasons to Take Action ​

• Recycling saves natural resources and energy and reduces air and water pollution.

• Diverting waste to recycling can reduce disposal costs and save money.

• Recycling saves landfill space, keeping landfills open longer.

• Recycling conserves our natural resources by reducing the need for raw materials.

• Composting yard waste reduces lawn maintenance cost, time, and water usage.

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You might be amazed at what items can be recycled, and how easy it really is! There are numerous locations in Douglas County and the surrounding counties to drop off clothes, old computers, automobile fluids, yard waste, batteries, books, appliances, scrap metal, and more.

Some items are not just disposed of, they can be restored for reuse. In some cases these can even be considered charitable donations and are tax-deductible!

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The Douglas County Health Department maintains a directory of local organizations and the items they accept for recycling. Please call us at (217) 253-4137, or stop by the facility for information about a location near you. You will need to call the recycling centers for their hours and requirements before dropping items off.

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Why stop at recycling? If you’re not buying recycled, you’re not truly recycling! We encourage you to purchase home and office materials made from recycled materials. In doing so you help keep recycling programs going, as well as conserving our resources.

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In Illinois, you may also find the following government agency to be a valuable resource:

Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs
Bureau of Energy and Recycling
620 East Adams Street
Springfield, IL 62701-1615
(217) 785-2008
TDD 1-800-785-6055
www.commerce.state.il.us

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