Recycle
Photo by Jake Seboly on Unsplash
One important way that we can preserve the planet for future generations is to eliminate or significantly reduce what is disposed of through the solid waste stream. Recycling and donating items are vital strategies for achieving this goal.
Learn About Your Community's Recycling Services
La Grange and many other nearby communities offer recycling as part of waste hauling and collection services:
Go Green Greater La Grange encourages you to brush up on the curbside recycling services offered by your town. If you live in an apartment building or other multi-family property, you may not be serviced by your community's contracted service. Instead, seek information from your property manager/landlord.
Find out exactly what you can recycle through your curbside services. Most services recycle glass, metal, and paper. Many plastic bottles and containers are also recyclable - but not all. NPR provides a good summary of what plastics are recyclable. And DuPage County warns against wish cycling.
Also, be sure to follow instructions on how to prepare your recyclables for pick up. This will help ensure that items are truly recycled.
See Also: Composting
Learn Where to Recycle or Donate Other Items
Not everything can be recycled through your community's waste hauling services. Go Green Greater La Grange collects some common items at our Events. We've also identified other local and not-so-local resources for recycling and donating.
If you know of other local resources, please contact Go Green Greater La Grange at info@gogreenglg.org.
Sections
Recently added or updated:
​November 2025:
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Pumpkins
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Vases - (Community Assisted Rides -CARS )
October 2025:
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Appliances (federal tax credits)
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Batteries - Household (Cirba Solutions)
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Books - Children's (Cradles to Crayons Chicago)
Index of Sections on this Page
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​Appliances
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Appliances
When buying a new fridge, dishwasher, or other large appliance, Best Buy, Lowes, ABT, and other retailers will haul away your old one for recycling. ABT also donates appliances in good shape to Salvation Army and other nonprofits.
In addition, ABT recycles small appliances for free.
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Additional Thoughts:
ComEd offers rebates on energy-efficient appliances. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 also provides federal tax credits and incentives to home owners for certain energy-efficient changes, such as installing heat pumps.
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See Also:
See Reuse for information on repairing appliances.
Art Supplies
The La Grange Art League is happy to be the recipient of any art supplies that you no longer want. Please drop them off at the counter in the gallery.
Batteries - Auto and Marine
Recycling your used vehicle or boat battery is quick and easy. Just drop it off at a local retailer - including AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Advance Auto Parts - and they do the rest. Some retailers will grant you a store credit for your used battery even if you don't purchase a new one.
BatteriesPlus also accepts a variety of batteries that power vehicles, including lead acid batteries from golf carts, mowers, sump pumps, etc. Nearest locations in Oak Lawn, Villa Park, and Oak Park. Call ahead for details.
Stay tuned for where to recycle electric car batteries. Argonne's ReCell Center is actively looking into advanced EV battery recycling.
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Additional Thoughts:
If you want to be an expert on recycling batteries, visit Argonne's reading list on the subject.
Batteries - Household
Go Green Greater La Grange collects household batteries for recycling. Refer to our list of Collections for information on when and where we will collect them next.
Other recycling options:
Countryside Police Department (Joliet Rd & Brainard) is accepting alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, etc). But only from Countryside residents.
BatteriesPlus accepts a variety of batteries.
Cirba Solutions has a WeRecycle Battery Box for $122 - a complete battery and handheld electronics recycling kit for households, corporate and government customers.
You can also search for a battery drop-off location at Call2Recycle.
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Additional Thoughts:
Switch to rechargeable batteries. They are better for the environment, easier on the pocketbook, and are easy to recycle. Home Depot accepts rechargeable batteries.
Bikes
You may send bikes and parts to Working Bikes, which repairs and gives bikes to people in the local area and across the globe.
Or consider The Recyclery (7628 N Paulina, Chicago; 773-262-5900). You can donate used bikes, bike parts, and tools (no helmets). Call ahead.
Blankets
(October 1 – February 28) all sizes and types – the Westchester Food Pantry at 1938 S. Mannheim Road in Westchester will gladly accept new or gently-used blankets to share with those in need who visit the pantry.
Click here for a list of drop-off locations.
Books, DVDs, CDs, Etc.
If the items are in good shape, try unloading books, movies, records, video games, and comics at Half Price Books in Countryside (14 Countryside Plaza; 708-579-1770). The store pays $$$$ (pennies).
Alternatively, your local library may have a donation program for books, records, DVDs, CDs, etc.
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Other options:
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Donate all types of books to Open Books, a Chicago nonprofit.
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SCARCE, in Addison, also accepts any and all books.
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Donate theology books (for example, about church history, philosophy, ethics, Bible studies) to the Theological Book Network. Located in Grand Rapids, Mich., the organization gives theological books to seminaries and universities in the southern hemisphere. Great way to help people give their theological books away - and the books will be used.
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Bring prior-year textbooks to your school bookstore, if possible, for credits toward new textbooks. You can also sell textbooks online at ABEbooks, Amazon, BookScouter, Bookchor, EBay, and other sites.
Books - Children's
You can ship children's books to The Children's Book Project or donate them to Cradles to Crayons Chicago.
Bras
You can drop off your unwanted bras at one of our Clothing and Textile Events. If possible, please keep bras separate from your other clothing and textile donations so that we can make sure they are sent to whichever charity is currently in need.
You can also bring them to the lingerie store, SOMA, in Oakbrook Center. SOMA (an affiliate of Chico's) donates new and gently used bras to the nonprofit I Support the Girls, which provides bras to women who are homeless, impoverished, or subject to domestic abuse. If the bras are not in good enough condition to be reused, SOMA will donate them to The Bra Recyclers. Donate new or gently used bras and get rewarded up to $10 off your purchase per month.
Bread Tags
Go Green Greater La Grange collects plastic bread tags at every Event to ship to the Danielle Cares for Chairs, Carmel, Ind. via SCARCE. The nonprofit collects millions of bread tags from around the country, delivers them for recycling, and then uses the proceeds from recycling to buy wheelchairs for people in need. The organization recently gifted its 15th wheelchair to a child!
Check out Danielle Cares for Chairs for a great story.
Building Materials (Can also buy used)
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ReStore (Habitat for Humanity) - Check their website for locations. Donate or shop, everything from building materials to furniture. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity.
Cardboard
See Paper/Magazines/Mail for location information of the paper recycling dumpster.
Cars
Consider donating your old car to Habitat for Humanity, which fixes up and sells old cars to finance future Habitat homes. Habitat for Humanity is taking steps to build energy-efficient homes. For instance, Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity plans to build 17 net-zero homes in Aurora.
Other options: WBEZ may take that jalopy that still runs. Even Goodwill takes cars.
China
China - Vintage Tea Cups, Saucers, and Plates: Catherine’s Community Closet will accept these as donations.
Christmas Trees (Real)
Check if your community's refuse services include pick up of real Christmas trees and greenery.
In La Grange, holiday greenery collection and pickup are free of charge and will take place the first two weeks of January. Holiday greenery must have all tinsel, ornaments, lights, and nails removed before being placed out at the curb for pickup. Collection of holiday greenery after the third week of January will be billed as a bulk item pick up on your next invoice.
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See Also:
See Rethink to learn about composting options for Christmas greenery and other plant life.
Cleaning Products
The Westchester Food Pantry at 1938 S. Mannheim Road in Westchester will gladly accept new cleaning products to share with those in need who visit the pantry. Products must be new and unopened.
Click here for a list of drop-off locations.
Clothing and Supplies for Babies and Young Children
Here are some options:
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Cradles to Crayons Chicago collects new and gently used clothing, books, school supplies, diapers, etc. to give to babies and children in Chicago. The organization has a list of items that are needed and accepted.
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Cradles to Crayons has a collection box in the lobby of First United Methodist Church of La Grange (the chapel entrance on Cossitt). The church is normally open 9-5 weekdays and Sunday morning. The church's preschool families keep the box full most of the time.
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Children's Community Closet of La Grange Park accepts clothing in sizes newborn to 16 years, maternity clothing, and children’s shoes. These donations are then made available for FREE to the public 2 days per month. Donations may be left in one of the 24-hour bins behind St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 501 E. 31st Street, LaGrange Park. (Entry to the parking lot is off Sherwood Avenue. Bins are just past the back entrance.) Volunteers are needed weekly to help sort donated items. If interested in volunteering or have any other questions, please email: cccoflgp@gmail.com for more information.
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usagain has a number of collection boxes in the local area, including one in the parking lot of St. Barbara Church in Brookfield. The organization collects re-useable clothes, shoes, accessories (e.g., purses), and household textiles.
Clothing and Jewelry for Adults
Options include Goodwill, usagain, and Sharing Connections.
Clothing - Cold Weather, Boots
(October 1 - January 31) coats, hats, gloves/mittens, scarves, snow pants, snowsuits, and boots for children and adults – the Westchester Food Pantry at 1938 S. Mannheim Road in Westchester will gladly accept new or gently-used items to share with those in need who visit the pantry. These items must be dropped off directly at the Pantry on Wednesdays 12-7pm, Fridays 12-2pm, or Saturdays 8:30-11:30am.
Contact Lens Blister Packs
West End Vision, 715 W. Hillgrove Ave., La Grange – Drop off in the office with any staff member. Before bringing to the shop, separate the foil from the plastic. You can combine the pieces in one donation, they just need to be pulled apart first.
Cooking Oil
Do you have oil from that deep-fried 22 lb. turkey or deep-fried Twinkies? Leftover oil can be deposited in the "Mahoney Bin" in the alley just south of Tate's Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Shop (behind Aging Care Connections). Learn more about oil recycling at Mahoney Environmental.
Another Chicago-area option: Green Grease Environmental, which partners with restaurants and heavy users.
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Additional Thoughts:
Did you know cooking oil is used as aviation fuel? Look up "sustainable aviation fuel" (SAF). Here is more on this topic: U.S. DOE Releases Roadmap to Achieve Carbon Neutral Aviation Emissions.
Corks (Natural corks only - no plastic)
You can drop off your corks at one of our Events, at the Lyons Township Headquarters on Joliet Road in Countryside, or at Mainstreet Liquors in Countryside.
These corks will be taken to Corkology. They grind down the corks and use the material to produce products such as coasters, placemats and bulletin boards.
You can also turn your corks into art. See Reuse.
Detergent and Cleaner Plastic Pouches
From August 1st through the first week of June, The Congress Park Green Team, at 9311 Shields Avenue in Brookfield, will accept Arm & Hammer, Oxi Clean, Tide pod and Downy pod pouches. Drop off is inside the main entrance.
Electrical Wiring
United Scrap in Cicero (1545 S Cicero; North of 22nd/Cermak) will pay for household electrical wiring. Contact them for current pricing.
Electronics
Bob's TV & Metal Pickup. Call 630-235-0387 for more information. Mailing address is 4351 Custer, Lyons; garage is on Plainfield Rd. Bob picks up anything with a plug attached (except old wood TVs) as well as pots and pans, Xmas lights, cords and cables, and metal stuff. You can also drop off stuff next to his garage if the stuff fits his collection list. Bob is a good guy according to patrons. Used by local community groups. Been around for over 10 years.
Other options:
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La Grange homeowners can call Flood Bros (630-261-0400) to ask about curb collection of electronics for a fee. If you can wait, the annual Clean Up Day may include electronics.
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e-Works/Burr Ridge Public Works (451 Commerce St., Plainfield) Open 7-3 Monday through Friday.
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Best Buy, in Countryside and elsewhere, will take various electronics, including computers, printers, cartridges, game consoles, and TVs (with limitations).
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Asurion (formerly UBreakIFix) next to the La Grange Theater on La Grange Road for small electronics. Good people.
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You can sell or trade-in cell phones, iPads, gaming consoles, computers, etc. to Gazelle and many other stores/services.
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Goodwill (closest location at Wolf & 31st) will take LCD-screen TVs. In fact, check out the Goodwill Donation Guidelines. They take lots of stuff for discount resale and then recycle leftovers. Even shoes and clothes. But NOT exercise equipment or coat hangers; best to call ahead.​
Additional Thoughts:
Learn about Illinois' Electronic Recycling Program.
Eyeglasses
Ask your eye doctor or the store where you buy glasses if they accept old eyeglasses (prescription and non-prescription).
Other local options:
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Lions Club on 22d & York. They also take hearing aids. Drop off boxes in lobby.
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Eye Mechanix (52 S. La Grange Rd) accepts donations of eyeglasses and suggests the Western Springs Post Office as well.
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La Grange Park Public Library has a drop off box in entry lobby.
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West End Vision, 715 W. Hillgrove Ave., La Grange – Drop off in the office with any staff member and they will put in their Lions Club donation bin. They do not take the cases. Also, for contact lens wearers, West End Vision accepts the blister packs the lenses come in. Before bringing to the shop, separate the foil from the plastic. You can combine the pieces in one donation, they just need to be pulled apart first.
Fabric (Clothes/Textiles/Blankets)
Go Green Greater La Grange hosts an event twice a year for these items. Refer to our list of Events to find out the next time we will be doing this. We will take anything -- from that shirt you never wore, to the towel you wore out.
Blankets and towels will be donated to an animal shelter. Bras will be given to a local women's charity. Everything else will be taken by a local recycler who will do their best to ensure as little as possible goes into a landfill. Note: You can probably donate your blankets and towels at any time to the shelter of your choice. Call first to confirm, but they are usually in need.
Fire Extinguishers
Check if your local fire department is accepting drop-offs. If not, you can take extinguishers to a hazardous waste disposal facility, along with other hazardous waste:
This option is only for Illinois residents - not businesses, schools, or institutions.
Flags
Drop flags off in the entry way during normal business hours at Community Park District of La Grange Park.
Or, bring flags in any condition to the American Legion lot -- drop off box looks similar to a big mail box:
Robert E. Coulter, Jr., Post 1941, 900 S. La Grange Road, La Grange, IL 60525-2936.
Flowers
Please see information under Vases.
Food
Unopened non-perishable food items - The Westchester Food Pantry at 1938 S. Mannheim Road in Westchester will gladly accept non-perishable food items.
Click here for a list of drop-off locations and a list of most-needed items.
Frames and Framed Artwork
The La Grange Art League will take your unwanted frames or framed artwork and use the pieces to create something new. Please drop off your unwanted frames or framed artwork at the counter in the gallery. They are open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Furniture and Other Household Items
The Chicago Furniture Bank (CFB) has been recommended to Go Green Greater La Grange by a trusted person. You can donate furniture and other large household items to CFB. The nonprofit gives these items to people transitioning out of homelessness. CFB also takes mattresses in good-condition. A monetary donation may be requested to help cover costs. CFB partners with the Honest Junk Company to cart away items that are not in good shape.
Home 2 Home Project in Hodgkins (708-505-5496) accepts donations of furniture and other items to help homeless families transition into independent living.
For more on helping the homeless in our community, check out BEDSPlus as well.
Sharing Connections in Downers Grove accepts furniture, household supplies, baby items, and clothing for families in need.
Other options for donating furniture include national charities like AmVets and Salvation Army. Always good to call ahead before wasting gas to drop off furniture and getting a "not today."
Garden Produce
The Westchester Food Pantry at 1938 S. Mannheim Road in Westchester can accept homegrown produce from home and community gardens. These items must be dropped off directly at the Pantry on Wednesdays 12-7pm, Fridays 12-2pm, or Saturdays 8:30-11:30am.
Guns/Bullets
Call ahead to the La Grange Police Dept to set a time to drop off that old gun (and/or bullets).
Hair Tools
From August 1st through the first week of June, The Congress Park Green Team, at 9311 Shields Avenue in Brookfield, will accept all brands of electronic hair tools and appliances, including hair dryers, curling irons and styling irons. Drop off is inside the main entrance.
Halloween Candy
(October 1 - December 31) - The Westchester Food Pantry at 1938 S. Mannheim Road in Westchester will gladly accept your extra Halloween candy to share with those in need who visit the pantry.
Click here for a list of drop-off locations.
Hangers (Metal)
Ruby Cleaners (6 W. Burlington; just east of La Grange Rd.) accepts metal hangers.
CD One Price Cleaners at 55th & Plainfield (Marshall Shopping Center Across from Fuller's Car Wash) will only take back hangers sourced from its plant.
Breen's Cleaners on Hillgrove will also only accept hangers from its own store. Breen's also recycles plastic bags.
Hazardous Materials (Household)
Here are some options:
Also, the Illinois EPA provides information on disposing of various types of wastes, including hazardous.
Home Care and Cleaner Products
From August 1st through the first week of June, The Congress Park Green Team, at 9311 Shields Avenue in Brookfield, will accept all brands of air and home cartridges, air and home care plugs, air and home care trigger heads, air and home care plastic and film packaging, and Mr. Clean Deep Cleaning Mist bottles and trigger heads. Drop off is inside the main entrance.
Jars (Glass)
Please see information under Vases.
LEGOS®
Visit the LEGO® website to get information on how to ship your unwanted bricks and find out what happens to them once received at the toymaker. They also provide information on what to do if you prefer to donate them locally.
Light Bulbs
According to an article from Home Depot, different types of light bulbs should be disposed of in different ways. It's worth reading the whole piece. But here's a summary:
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Incandescent bulbs: These can be difficult to recycle, but are safe to toss in your regular garbage. One possible option for recycling: BatteriesPlus
Once you use up all your incandescent bulbs, consider committing to LED bulbs, which are much more eco-friendly. -
Halogen bulbs: These are safe to toss in your regular garbage. These can be difficult to recycle. One possible option for recycling: BatteriesPlus
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Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs): These contain mercury, which is toxic to humans and animals. Never throw these in your household trash. (If one breaks, seek info from EPA on how to clean up.) Several retailers may accept CFLs for recycling, including Home Depot and BatteriesPlus. CFLs can also be dropped off at Chicago Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility.
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LED bulbs: LEDs are great eco-options because they last much longer than incandescent bulbs. However, LED bulbs contain trace amounts of lead and arsenic. Thus, avoid tossing them in your trash. Instead, recycle them through various retailers, such as Menards, IKEA, Home Depot, and Lowes (call ahead to ensure the store accepts).
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Fluorescent tubes: Like CFLs, fluorescent tubes contain mercury. So do not toss in trash. (If one breaks, seek info from EPA on how to clean up.) Recycling options are limited. One option: BatteriesPlus. Nearest locations in Oak Lawn, Villa Park, and Oak Park. Call ahead for details.
Makeup and Skin Care Containers
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You can drop off your empty skin care and hair care products, compacts, makeup jars, bottles, and tubes at the Beauty Department of Nordstrom in Oakbrook Center. Learn about Nordstrom's commitment to recycle.
If you use MAC Cosmetics, you can drop jars, etc. at Ulta Beauty, Macy's, or Nordstrom.
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Additional Thoughts:
Go deeper with 38 Refillable Products to Try for a Less Wasteful Beauty Regimen at Allure.
Mattresses
The Chicago Furniture Bank will take a mattress in good condition.
Medical Sharps and Needles
You can drop home-generated sharps/needles off at the Westmont Police Department (500 N. Cass) in the red box container in the lobby, Monday-Friday, 8-3 pm. (Email: records@westmont.il.gov).
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Additional Thoughts:
Learn more about the safe disposal of sharps and needles. Sharps should never be thrown loosely into the trash or toilet. Sharps that retract after use, or are very small, should be disposed of like all other sharps.
Medical Supplies and Equipment
Project C.U.R.E. in Woodridge accepts beds, crutches, sleep apnea equipment, and many other medical supplies and equipment.
The Medical Lending Closet in Downers Grove Township accepts donations of medical equipment such as wheelchairs, canes, walkers, shower chairs, tub transfer chairs, and crutches. Call their office at 630-719-6610 to set up an appointment to drop off donations.
Metal Materials
Generate instant cash at United Scrap (1545 S Cicero; North of 22nd/Cermak) for rebar, wiring, crowbar, steel file cabinets, stoves, refrigerators, car rims, gutters and downspouts, metal coat hangers, lead pipes, and other metals. Open from 6 to 6 weekdays.
Contact them at the link above for current pricing.
Another option is Cozzi Recycling in Melrose Park.
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See Also:
Musical Instruments
The Old Town School of Folk Music will accept many instruments in playable and good condition. Please call or email (musicstore@oldtownschool.org) before dropping off your donations to double check. They accept acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, ukuleles, banjos, violins, and hand drums in working order.
SCARCE also takes music instruments.
If anyone knows of a local source seeking used musical equipment, please contact Go Green Greater La Grange.
Oral Care
From August 1st through the first week of June, The Congress Park Green Team, at 9311 Shields Avenue in Brookfield, will accept all brands of used or empty toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrushes, toothpaste cartons, toothbrush outer packaging, and floss containers. Drop off is inside the main entrance.
Packaging Materials
EcoShip is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that collects shipping materials from Chciagoland communities and distributes them to businesses and individuals for reuse.
Paint - Latex
Village True Value Hardware Store in Western Springs recycles latex paint. As of April, 2024, the cost is $6.00 for a gallon and $2.75 for a quart. You may combine leftover latex paints into a single gallon or quart can for recycling.
Paper/Magazines/Mail
You can recycle most paper through your community's recycling program or wherever you put your clean cardboard.
Another recycling option: Paper Retriever (dumpster) on the SW corner of 55th and East Avenue in Countryside (east side of the Helping Hand building, in the parking lot). Proceeds may benefit Helping Hand.
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Additional Thoughts:
Stop all that junk mail, including unwanted catalogs, from ever getting to you in the first place. Learn how.
Pills (Unwanted/Expired)
To dispose of pills, capsules, tablets, etc. that you no longer need or have expired, take them to the La Grange Police Department (304 Burlington) and put them into a secured medication box in the lobby.
The Illinois EPA and DuPage County list many other locations that accept unused medications.
Note:
Never flush medicines down the toilet. The Village of La Grange explains why.
Do not drop medical sharps and needles off with unused medications. Needles and sharps can be brought to Westmont Police Department.
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Additional Information:
Effective December 2023: A new (2022) Illinois law (HB 1780) will make drug manufacturers responsible for covering the costs of disposing of all medications collected as part of a centralized, statewide collection network.
Also check out MyOldMeds.com and MED-Project. Good stuff.
Pill Containers (Empty)
Matthew 25: Ministries in Blue Ash, Ohio, accepts donations of empty plastic pill bottles for inclusion in shipments of medical supplies. Their pill bottle program fulfills the dual needs of improving medical care in developing countries and caring for our environment. Please refer to their website for important instructions on which bottles they will accept, and how they should be prepared for donation.
Plastic Bags and Wrap
Near the entrance door to most grocery stores (for example, Jewel, Mariano's, Target), there should be a receptacle clearly marked for disposal of plastic bags. Many stores also accept plastic bread bags, dry cleaning plastic covers, and other plastic wraps.
For instance, see what plastic bags and wraps are accepted by Albertson's/Jewel-Osco.
Your biggest fear, with the shortage of workers, is that the plastic bags wind up in the dumpster out back. Good one = Jewel in La Grange Park.
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Additional Thoughts:
California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington have all banned single-use plastic bags and auxiliary containers in one form or another. Illinois? One can hope...
Could fungi be the answer to plastic waste? On November 21, 2022, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report on biological recycling, or bio-recycling. This emerging technology uses microbes, such as bacteria or fungi, to break down plastic into its basic components for reuse. According to GAO, research suggests that bio-recycling of plastics could help promote a circular economy in which plastic waste is continuously reincorporated into new products.
Plastic Holders for Beer Cans
Bring your plastic beer can holders that hold 4 or 6 cans (as shown in the picture below as 4-can) to any of our Go Green Greater La Grange Events.
You can take the 4-pack holders (shown below) to Imperial Oak Brewing in Brookfield. They will clean and reuse them.
Pop Tops from Aluminum Cans
Go Green Greater La Grange collects pop tops at all of our Events. We donate them to the Ronald McDonald House near Loyola University Medical Center. The charity gets money for the pop tops through metal recyclers.
Many local schools also collect pop tops. You can also drop them off at any Ronald McDonald House location in the Chicago area.
Pumpkins
Many towns in the western suburbs sponsor Pumpkin Smash events starting right after Halloween. They will accept your no-longer-needed pumpkins for composting. This keeps pumpkins out of landfills and provides rich nutrients for the soil. Be sure to first remove any candles and decorations.
School Supplies
(June 1 - August 31) - The Westchester Food Pantry at 1938 S. Mannheim Road in Westchester will gladly accept your new and gently-used school supplies, including backpacks, lunch bags, pencils, pens, scissors, rulers, markers, colored pencils, etc.
Click here for a list of drop-off locations.
Shoes
Children’s Community Closet of La Grange Park accepts gently worn children’s shoes and boots. These donations are then made available for FREE to the public 2 days per month. Donations may be left in one of the 24-hour bins behind St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 501 E. 31st Street, La Grange Park. (Entry to the parking lot is off Sherwood Avenue. Bins are just past the back entrance.) Volunteers are needed weekly to help sort donated items. If interested in volunteering or have any other questions, please email: cccoflgp@gmail.com for more information.
Go Green Greater La Grange conducts a ‘shoe drive’ Event bi-annually. In the Spring, we collect shoes and sandals, and in the Fall we collect shoes and boots. You are encouraged to bring in any pair you no longer want – they can be brand new or on their last leg, or foot (haha). Reusable footwear will be displayed for everyone to see, and to take anything they want. When the event is over, the leftover items are then sorted into categories and sent to different organizations. For example, our Spring, 2024 event provided footwear to: Beds, Children’s Community Closet, and Potter’s Hand, to name a few.
Anthony’s Shoe Repair, 13 W. Hillgrove, has a collection box in the front of the shop. Go Green Greater La Grange picks up the shoes. Footwear that is still usable will be sent to Children’s Community Closet, and the well-worn footwear will be sent for recycling.
JAYNE in La Grange (on Harris), has a drop-off box just inside their front door during business hours for shoes to be sent to Soles4Souls.
Alternatively, you can ship the shoes for free, courtesy of Zappos, to be sent to Soles4Souls.
Also, you can drop off your shoes at DSW in Oak Brook. Please refer to their website for information on how this program works.
Shopping Bags with Handles
The Westchester Food Pantry at 1938 S. Mannheim Road in Westchester will gladly accept clean paper shopping bags with handles for our clients to carry their groceries. Bags are accepted year-round! (They go through approximately 450 per week!)
Click here for a list of drop-off locations.
Smoke/CO2 Detectors
Most smoke detectors typically fall into two categories: photoelectric and ionization.
Old photoelectric detectors can generally be tossed in regular trash. (Take out the batteries first and recycle those separately.)
However, ionization detectors contain a small amount of Americium 241, a radioactive isotope. When in use, these detectors are perfectly safe, as the radioactive material is shielded by a metal chamber inside the device. If dismantled, however, the radioactive material can become exposed. For this reason, you should never try to take apart an old ionization detector.
To determine whether or not your detector is an ionization type, look on the back; it should either have the letter "I" or say ionization. Or there may be a label warning about radioactive material on the back of detector.
First Alert has a complimentary disposal program for intact ionization smoke detectors (postage not included). These must be First Alert, BRK, Family Gard, or Onelink brand.
The U.S. Post Office has also posted a list of manufacturers that accept old smoke/CO2 detectors for proper disposal.
You can also bring detectors to SCARCE, in Addison. The nonprofit charges a small fee per detector.
Sports Equipment
Soccer: Peace Passers accepts gently used soccer equipment - balls, shoes, shin guards, gloves, sets of team jerseys and shorts - and redistributes them to communities in need. See detailed donation information.
Tennis balls: APT Layhold is turning used tennis balls into tennis courts. You can ship used tennis balls for a fee. Elmhurst Park District also accepts used tennis balls.
Other sports: If your kid grows out of those expensive hockey skates or your daughter has upgraded to a more expensive tennis racket, you may want to consider Play It Again Sports in Westmont (233 W Ogden; 630-810-9811). Check the website to see what they currently need. No junk stuff. You might get some trade-in money.
Styrofoam
Western Springs sponsors a free styrofoam recycling event on the first Saturday of every month. Volunteers accept drop-offs of clean Styrofoam (no peanuts) between 9 and noon near the Community Center parking lot and garages in Western Springs, just north of the BNSF tracks. The foam is brought to Dart Container. Please separate your food packaging from block foam.
STOROpack in Hillside (320 Craig Place; 708-547-8030) accepts Styrofoam packing peanuts - both white and pink peanuts but must be separated. Open Mon-Fri. 8-5.
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Additional Thoughts:
What happens to the stryofoam that is collected for recycling? Check out one use by the Perfect Block. You will love the video.
Dart Container says the material is eventually turned into crown molding, picture frames, and other items.
Tires
Nothing local. K&S Tire Recycling in Chicago Heights accepts tires (303 S. State; 312-805-8266) K&S charges $3 per tire to recycle.
In Chicago, there's also Liberty Tire (2044 N Dominick, near Webster & Ashland on the North Branch of the Chicago River).
In addition, if you buy tires for your car, Discount, Firestone, Costco, and other retailers will recycle your old ones for a fee in the $3.00 to $5.00 range.
Toiletries
New, unused toiletry items -- the Westchester Food Pantry at 1938 S. Mannheim Road in Westchester will gladly accept new, unopened toiletries to share with those in need who visit the pantry.
Click here for a list of drop-off locations.
Tools
The Chicago Tool Library (4015 W. Carroll Ave. Chicago) accepts donations of various tools, ranging from table saws to sewing machines to camping tents. Check the nonprofit organization's donation list and hours of operation before dropping off any tools.
Vases
Community Assisted Rides (CARS) uses small-medium vases for their Petal Pushers program. Primarily, CARS provides rides to older adults (60+) who no longer drive. Additionally, CARS offers outreach services including flower delivery for clients' birthdays and special occasions, through CARS' Petal Pushers program.
Small-medium vases and upcycled jars are the most useful, and they can be dropped off at the CARS office in the First Presbyterian Church of La Grange, or left outside the door with the CARS logo at the northeast corner of Catherine and Elm.
Note: Please remove labels from upcycled jars.
CARS is thrilled to be part of the Bloom ‘n Toss network which works to extend the life and impact of flowers that would otherwise be thrown away.
Through Bloom ‘n Toss, CARS receives flower donations from Mariano's that would otherwise be thrown out, like produce after a certain date. CARS Petal Pusher volunteers make these flowers into arrangements to be delivered to older adult clients. To volunteer with Petal Pushers (arranging flowers or delivering them) please contact Alexandria, Community Outreach Coordinator at alexandria@communityassistedrides.org
You may recycle sympathy and wedding flowers, as they can also be used by CARS Petal Pushers to be recreated into arrangements for CARS clients.