The Illinois State Association of Counties' Environment, Energy, and Land Use Committee held its monthly meeting on Thursday, October 24. The Committee heard from two guest speakers on recycling matters.
Committee Chairwoman Sheila Rutledge (DuPage County Board) asked the Executive Director of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County, Christina Seibert, to discuss Illinois' Extended Producer Responsibility Laws.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws are intended to shift the responsibility for funding and managing the end-of-life disposal of certain products from local governments and taxpayers to the producers of those products. These laws require manufacturers to take a more active role in the collection, recycling, and proper disposal of products they sell, particularly those that are difficult to dispose of safely, such as electronics and hazardous materials.
Enacted EPR legislation in Illinois includes the following items/materials:
Electronics Recycling (2008): The Illinois Electronics Products Recycling and Reuse Act mandates that manufacturers of certain electronics (such as TVs, computers, and monitors) finance and implement programs to collect and recycle their products. This reduces electronic waste in landfills and promotes recycling.
Mercury Thermostat Recycling (2010): The Thermostat Recycling and Recovery Act requires manufacturers of mercury-containing thermostats to establish and fund a statewide collection and recycling program.
Pharmaceutical Disposal Programs (2022): The Drug Take-Back Act requires drug manufacturers to establish, fund, and manage a drug take-back program for unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Paint Recycling (2023): Under the Paint Stewardship Program, manufacturers of architectural paints are required to fund and support a paint collection and recycling program, making it easier for consumers to dispose of unused or unwanted paint.
Battery Recycling (2024): While there is no comprehensive statewide EPR law for batteries, various programs have emerged to encourage battery recycling and responsible disposal of hazardous materials.
These laws are designed to promote sustainability, reduce waste, and alleviate the financial and operational burden on local governments by holding producers accountable for the environmental impacts of their products.
Following the EPR presentation, Committee Chairwoman Rutledge invited Cook County Solid Waste Coordinator Anthony Tindall to share information about Cook County's Center for Hard to Recycle Materials.
The Cook County Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) was established to help residents properly dispose of items that are not easily recyclable through regular curbside programs. These materials often include hazardous, bulky, or specialized items that require specific handling to ensure they are recycled or disposed of safely without harming the environment.
Key functions of CHaRM include:
Collection of Special Materials: CHaRM accepts a wide range of materials that are difficult to recycle, such as electronics, batteries, paint, tires, light bulbs, chemicals, and other household hazardous waste.
Safe Disposal: The center ensures that hazardous items, such as mercury-containing products, are handled in compliance with environmental regulations to prevent contamination of air, water, and soil.
Educational Resources: CHaRM may also offer educational resources or information to the public about proper recycling practices and the importance of diverting hard-to-recycle materials from landfills.
The facility is part of Cook County's broader effort to promote environmental sustainability and reduce waste by providing a convenient and accessible option for residents to responsibly dispose of challenging materials.
ISACo's Environment, Energy, and Land Use Committee discusses and formulates ISACo policies about air, water, energy, and land use. In addition, the Committee serves as a forum for counties to share information and best practices about their activities.
More information about ISACo Policy Committees is available via this link.