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Recycling

Recycling programs are an important part of taking care of the environment. There are a great number of items that can be recycled such as paper and cardboard, yard waste, food waste, metal, glass, plastic, rubber/tires, construction waste, household hazardous waste, styrofoam/polystyrene and medicines. In 2011, Harmony Enterprises, Inc. (a waste management company) reported that 251 million tons of waste was generated in the United States. 32.5% of total waste in the United States was recycled in 2011.

There are many facts that support why people should recycle. For example, according to Harmony Enterprises, Inc. if the United States recycled all aluminum cans for one year, it would save enough energy to light Washington D.C. for 3.7 years. It is also cheaper to recycle. Harmony Enterprises reported that, in 2011, it cost $50 per ton to send trash to a landfill, $65-$75 per ton to incinerate trash, but only $30 per ton to recycle trash.

 

Ecology Action Center

The mission of the Ecology Action Center is to inspire and assist our community in creating, strengthening, and preserving a healthy environment. The EAC acts as a central resource for environmental education, information, outreach, and technical assistance in McLean County, Illinois.

For up-to-date, specific information on recycling, check out our Recycle Coach app! Visit RecycleBN.org to use the app on our website, or download it to your smartphone for location-specific answers to your recycling and other disposal questions.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions about recycling, household hazardous waste, composting, rain barrels, and more!

For more information contact Jen at the Ecology Action Center at (309) 454-3169 or [email protected]

Access our website at https://ecologyactioncenter.org/

 

Recycling Program in Normal

In 2013, 57 percent of the households in Normal participated in the curbside recycling program.  The overall recycling in Bloomington-Normal is increasing as a result of both Bloomington and Normal having curbside recycling programs.   

The Town of Normal offers both curb side recycling and several locations for drop off recycling throughout the city.  In 2007, the Town of Normal collected 9,422 tons of household  waste. 

Drop Off Recycling

The Town of Normal also offers 8 drop off recycling locations. The items that are accepted at these locations are the same items that are accepted for the curbside recycling.  However, the items for drop off recycling must be sorted. Please sort the items by the following categories: glass and plastic containers, corrugated cardboard, and paper products.

The drop off locations are:

Chiddix Jr High School/Anderson Park 300 S. Walnut St. Normal, IL 61761 View Map

Illinois State University Parking Lot 100 N. University St. Normal, IL 61761 View Map

Jewel-Osco 901 S. Cottage Ave. Normal, IL 61761 View Map

Normal Tax Assessor’s Office Parking Lot 304 E. Mulberry St. Normal, IL 61761 View Map

Normal West High School 501 N. Parkside Rd. Normal, IL 61761 View Map

Prairieland Grade School/Carden Park 1300 E. Raab Rd. Normal, IL 61761 View Map

University Center 1101 N. Main St. Normal, IL 61761 View Map

Wal-Mart Northeast Corner of Lot 300 Greenbriar Ave. Normal, IL 61761 View Map

Household Waste Program

According to the 2013 Annual Report for the Town of Normal, household waste is currently collected five days a week from 10,600 households. The amount of waste collected has been continually decreasing since 2007 as shown in the following graphic. The main reason cited by the Town of Normal for the decline is the success of the recycling program.

Curbside Recycling

In the past, the residents had to separate their recyclables into different containers by the type of material. Residents using the drop off locations still have to separate their recyclables. However residents using the curbside recycling do not have to separate their recyclables.

The curbside recycling program started on July 9,  2012. To participate in the curbside recycling program residents have to purchase a wheeled cart from the city. The cart can be purchased for $60, and you can either get a 65 gallon cart or a 95 gallon cart. According to Normal's website, you will receive your cart within 3 business days. The carts are emptied once a week on the same day as your waste collection. The carts need to be placed on the curb next to garbage waste containers.  

Recycling Program in Bloomington

The City of Bloomington offers curbside recycling only and the service is provided every other week. However, the Bloomington residents may use the drop-off locations in Normal. Like the Town of Normal, the city  uses 65 gallon or 95 gallon recycle carts. Both cities accept the same items for their curbside and drop-off recycling programs. List of acceptable and unacceptable items.

Acceptable Items for Curbside and Drop-off Recycling in Bloomington-Normal 

Containers

All containers should be emptied and rinsed before recycling. Lids may be left on containers. Metal cans, trays and foil must be cleaned.

• Aseptic packaging and gable-top containers (milk and juice cartons)
• Glass bottles and jars (clear, brown, green, blue) - No window glass, dinnerware or ceramics
• Milk, juice and water jugs
• #1 - #5 and #7 plastic containers including detergent and fabric softener containers, margarine tubs, frozen dessert cups, yogurt cups, ketchup and syrup bottles and six- and 12-pack rings
• Soda, water and flavored beAdd a caption
  verage bottles and cans
• Plastic buckets, such as kitty litter containers (five-gallon size maximum)Add a caption
   
• PVC narrow neck containers such as health and beauty aid products and household cleaners

Mixed Paper Products

• Newspapers and inserts, books (remove hard covers from hardcover books), phone books
• Computer paper / school paper

• Junk mail / envelopes, magazines, gift wrap

• Paperboard (cereal boxes, food boxes, frozen food boxes, beverage
•  boxes, tissue boxes, etc.)
• Paper egg cartons
• Shredded paper should be placed in a paper bag to reduce litter

Corrugated Cardboard

Heavy-weight box material is accepted. Please flatten boxes.

Unacceptable Items for Curbside and Drop-off Recycling in Bloomington-Normal 

The following items are not accepted for curbside and drop-off recycling:

• Plastic bags (they can be returned to grocery or department stores)
• Expanded foam or #6 plastic polystyrene including Styrofoam, plastic egg cartons and clear plastic deli / bakery-type containers
• Motor oil, insecticide, herbicide, and other hazardous chemical containers
• Plastic film (no plastic bags, sleeves, sheets, tarps or wrap)
• Plastic containers that are not labeled with a #1-5 or #7 recycling symbol (see bottom of container)
• Soiled paper towels or napkins
• Window glass, mirrors, drinking glasses, dinnerware or ceramics
• Plastic children's toys

Additional Information for the Town of Normal can be obtained from the Waste Removal Division at (309) 454-9715.

Additional information for the City of Bloomington can be obtained from the Public Works Office at (309) 434-2225.

Electronics Recycling in Bloomington/Normal

The disposal of electronics in an inappropriate way can cause damage to the soil and pollution of the groundwater. Therefore, according to Normal's website the State requires that the following electronics must be recycled: Televisions, monitors, printers, computers, electronic keyboards, facsimile machines, videocassette recorders, portable digital music players, digital video disc players, video game consoles, small scale servers, scanners, electronic mice, digital converter boxes, cable receivers, satellite receivers and digital video disc recorders. These items are not picked up with curbside recycling and cannot be dropped off at other locations for recycling.

Another service offered by the Town of Normal for residents of both Bloomington and Normal is electronics recycling. Electronics can be dropped off during the week and on the first Saturday of each month at the Public Works Facility located at 1301 Warriner Street Normal, IL 61761. The Town has yellow signs that mark the entrance to the drop off.

Facts Related to Electronic

 Recycling:

·         Recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by more than 3,500 US homes in a year.

·         For every million cell phones we recycle, 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered.

Things to Consider when Donating Electronics:

·         For your computer or laptop, consider upgrading the hardware or software instead of buying a brand new product.

·         Delete all personal information from your electronics.

·         Remove any batteries from your electronics, they may need to be recycled separately.

Location:	Normal Public Works Garage, 1301 Warriner St., Normal, 309-454-9571
Items Accepted:	Computers, laptops, televisions, monitors, printers, fax, scanners, copiers, peripherals, phone systems, all types of radios, VCRs, microwaves, toaster ovens, hair dryers, curling irons, cash registers, cameras, blenders, and other small appliances. Damaged or non-working items accepted. All forms of electronic media: diskettes, zip disks, CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVDs et al, game cartridges, DAT, DLT, and virtually all other type of computer tapes. All forms of printer cartridges including both inkjet and toner. All types of cell phones, pagers, PDAs and their chargers, cables, and headset accessories. All types of rechargeable batteries (not regular alkaline ones) and their chargers. All of the small computer accessories such as MP3 players, iPods, digital cameras, hand- held scanners, handheld games and other connected devices.
Hours:	Monday-Friday 7:00 am-2:30 pm & the first Saturday of every month 8:00 am-12:00 pm Summer hours 6:00 am-1:30 pm (Memorial Day through Labor Day)

If you wish to recycle your electronics the City  of Bloomington does not collect electronics, but there are several locations where you can take your items. The locations where you can take electronic items are:

Location:	Home Sweet Home Warehouse Operations, 1700 W Washington St., Bloomington, 309-828-1530
Items Accepted:	Computers, laptops, televisions, monitors, printers, fax, scanners, copiers, peripherals, phone systems, all types of radios, VCRs. Microwaves, toaster ovens, hair dryers, curling irons, cash registers, cameras, blenders, and other small appliances. Damaged or non-working items accepted. All types of cell phones, pagers, PDAs and their chargers, cables, and headset accessories. All of the small computer accessories such as MP3 players, iPods, digital cameras, hand- held scanners, handheld games and other connected devices. All forms of electronic media and their cases: diskettes, zip disks, CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVDs et al, game cartridges, DAT, DLT, and virtually all other type of computer tapes (ONLY at Mission Mart location).
Hours:	Monday-Saturday 8:00 am-4:00 pm, 24 hour drop-off
Location:	Habitat For Humanity ReStore, 1402 W Washington, Bloomington, 309-454-6047
Items Accepted:	Computers, laptops, televisions, monitors, printers, fax, scanners, copiers, peripherals, phone systems, all types of radios, VCRs. Microwaves, toaster ovens, hair dryers, curling irons, cash registers, cameras, blenders, and other small appliances. Damaged or non-working items accepted. All forms of electronic media and their cases: diskettes, zip disks, CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVDs et al, game cartridges, DAT, DLT, and virtually all other type of computer tapes. All forms of printer cartridges including both inkjet and toner. All types of cell phones, pagers, PDAs and their chargers, cables, and headset accessories. All types of rechargeable batteries (not regular alkaline ones) and their chargers. All of the small computer accessories such as MP3 players, iPods, digital cameras, hand- held scanners, handheld games and other connected devices.
Hours:	Tuesday-Friday 10:00 am-5:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Location:	Behr Iron and Metal (formerly Morris Tick), 501 E Stewart, Bloomington, 309-828-6084
Items Accepted:	All kinds of electronics accepted. No computer monitors, TVs or microwave ovens. No items high in plastic.
Hours:	Monday-Friday 7:30 pm-3:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 am-11:00 am
Location:	Best Buy, 2103 N Veterans Pkwy Suite 200, Bloomington, 309-663-8090
Items Accepted:	Computers, monitors, computer accessories, televisions up to 32″ (flatscreens up to 60″), all types of radios, VCRs, cameras, etc. Damaged or non-working items accepted. Does not accept appliances, microwaves, TVs that are  consoles, rear-projections, or DLPs or larger than 32″, items with freon : air conditioners, dehumidifiers, refrigerators. Customers are limited to bringing in 2 units per day per household.
Hours:	Monday-Saturday 10:00 am-9:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am-8:00 pm
Location:	Goodwill Industries – Dell Reconnect Program, 4 302 Landmark Drive, Normal 309-451-1010 or 217-789-0400
Items Accepted:	Computers, Laptops, printers, ink and toner cartridges, CRT and LCD monitors, external drives, keyboards, mice, speakers, scanners, fax machines, routers, power cords, A/C adaptors, USB drives, servers, software (CDs). No large appliances.
Hours:	Monday–Saturday 9:00 am–7:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 pm-6:00 pm
Location:	MD Computer Services, 1601 Bunn Street, Bloomington, 309-261-8290
Items Accepted:	Computers and electronics.  No CRT TVs or monitors.
Hours:	Monday–Friday, 10:00 am-7:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am-2:00 pm

Non-Accepted Items are:

Light bulbs Items containing liquids Batteries (AA, AAA, D, C & lithium) VHS Cassette Tapes Large appliances

Items containing Freon (air conditioners, dehumidifiers, mini refrigerators) Audio Tapes Medical Equipment Gas Cylinders

Other sites in the Bloomington-Normal area offer electronics recycling. Educational programs and additional information about the other area electronics cycling, as well as residential battery recycling and light bulb programs, can be obtained on the Ecology Action Center website. The Ecology Action Center's website also has information on recycling of other materials such us household hazardous waste, disposal of medicines, styrofoam/polystyrene, etc.. 

Home of the Ecology Action Center