SWALCO TIDBIT - Planning the "Move".

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July 15, 2015

Ugh…Moving is Exhausting

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We know getting rid of old electronics, clothing, shoes, household chemical waste and other collected well-intentions are probably way down on the priority list...just above saying good-bye to those kind-hearted (and yes, let's be honest, sometimes irksome) neighbors. Perhaps you already know that your selected moving company cannot take hazardous materials (per federal law) such as explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosives and radioactive materials – this includes seemingly non-menacing items like nail polish remover, lighter fluid, oxygen bottles, propane cylinders, gasoline, oils, paint, certain types of pharmaceuticals…even matches make this list. And by now, as a Lake County resident, you already know certain types of electronic devices are banned from our landfills (check out swalco.org's electronics page & look up the Electronic Products Recycling & Reuse Act).

The plan is to divide and concur! Pick a room, a cabinet, a basement shelf, that creepy corner in the garage to rummage through.

We suggest tackling these tasks early to leave more time to handle other pressing issues like; did we pack the dog?? OR what’s the name of the new school again?? Where are my socks?? What day is it?? Why can’t I find anything!?!@? …we totally get it…


Household Chemical Waste - Where did this stuff come from???


Two months before your moving date, schedule your first appointment with us to drop off your household chemical waste. There’s a comprehensive list at SWALCO.org of accepted & not accepted items.

SWALCO hosts (2) FREE Household Chemical Waste Drop Off events EVERY MONTH (except December). The Second Saturday and Fourth Monday are the days we’re open to collect      Household Chemical Waste,  by appointment only.  If you stumble across more HCW (& don't be surprised!!) you can make another appointment to come by before the final moving day arrives.

PST...PLUS, we host (6) FREE HCW MOBILE events throughout Lake County, take a look under the News & Events section on our main page to find out where we’ll be next.

Begin purging your collection of Latex/Water-based paint which is Not Collected at our Household Chemical Waste Events (it's deemed non-hazardous per the EPA).


More resources and references


We have excellent references for all types of moving-related recycling/disposal needs.

We still host (6) free, full-time electronic collection sites (visit swalco.org for locations & times)

We have (20) free clothing & textile bins throughout Lake County (visit swalco.org for locations & times)

We have references and resources for paper shredding, propane tank recycling, appliance disposal recommendations, bicycle reuse options (visit swalco.org's “how do I recycle this" page for more details). There are even directions on How to recycle or get rid of Latex Paint!



...Give yourself time, ease into it... The folks buying your well-loved home will greatly appreciate the clean shelves and ample space to stack their own household items.

Thank you for taking the extra steps to properly dispose of your household waste!