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September 2, 2026
Greetings, SWALCO fans!
Welcome to The SWALCO Scoop, our monthly electronic newsletter. This month, we're learning what to do with a broken/damaged recycling or trash cart. Be aware of the recent Ocoopa hand warmer recall, and learn what to do with a recalled hand warmer. We're also recognizing Avon Township for winning an award at the Illinois Recycling Foundation Conference last month! Don't forget to check out our events calendar and schedule an appointment to drop off your household chemical waste.
If your residential waste, recycling, or organics cart is damaged, your waste collection service can easily repair or replace it.
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Identify Your Service Provider: You can identify your waste hauler by checking your current collection bill or by looking for the logo stamped directly on your cart (such as LRS, Groot, Waste Management, or Flood Brothers). Most Lake County municipalities and townships have single-hauler franchise agreements for residential curbside service.
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Contact Customer Service: Reach out directly to your waste hauler by phone, through the customer service portal, or via a mobile app. Explain that your collection cart was damaged by normal wear and tear or collection-related causes. Have your home address, cart type (garbage, recycling, or organics), and a brief description of the issue ready.
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Follow Curbside Placement Instructions: Your waste collection service will schedule a repair or replacement, typically on your regular collection day. After the cart is emptied, leave it at the curb for easy access by the field crew.
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Know Your Rights Under Municipal Contracts: Because cart maintenance is typically covered under municipal franchise agreements, standard repairs or replacements for normal wear and tear should be provided at no additional charge. If you encounter delays with your waste collection cart repair, your local village hall or township administrative office can serve as a liaison to help ensure prompt resolution.
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Recycle Coach: Use Recycle Coach's "Report a Problem" tool by visiting the SWALCO website or by using the Recycle Coach mobile app. First, select your municipality. Then, press the "Report a Problem" button. Select "My cart is damaged or missing," and enter the required information.
Taking a few minutes to request a repair keeps neighborhood streets neat, prevents litter, and ensures smooth weekly collection.
This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency under assistance agreement 84079901 to Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.
As kids head back to school and the seasons start to change, SWALCO is offering various community recycling opportunities. At these events, you can drive through and drop off items for reuse, recycling, upcycling, and donation at no cost. Accepted materials vary by event, so be sure to view each event flyer for more details. See the events calendar at the end of the newsletter. To stay up to date on SWALCO events, visit the News Flash and calendar on the SWALCO website, or download the Recycle Coach app!
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 Ocoopa-branded rechargeable lithium-ion battery hand warmers, models UT3053, UT3056, ZLS-118, ZLS-118S, ZLS-118D, H01 and H01(PD), have been recalled. The lithium-ion battery in the recalled hand warmers can overheat and ignite, posing a risk of serious injury.
Consumers should stop using the recalled hand warmers immediately. Visit the Ocoopa website to submit a recall claim. Eligible consumers will receive a full refund in the form of either a gift card or the original form of payment.
Do not throw the recalled device in the trash, curbside recycling bins, or used battery recycling boxes found at retail or home improvement stores. Everlights in Elk Grove is accepting recalled Ocoopa hand warmers. Residents can drop off recalled hand warmers from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 1020 Bonaventure Drive, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. Residents will need to pay $5 cash per handwarmer.
Click here to read the CPSC Recall Announcement.
Check out Abt Electronics' Facebook Reel that gives a behind-the-scenes look at their Recycling Center!
Abt accepts appliances, electronics, cardboard, wood pallets, and Styrofoam (white only—no food containers) for recycling. You can visit their recycling center at 1200 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Glenview, IL 60025.
Click here to visit the Abt website and learn more about their green initiatives.
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 The Illinois Recycling Foundation (IRF) awarded Avon Township the 2026 Outstanding Public Sector Award for Recycling. The award celebrates the township's approaches to reuse and recycling for its community.
SWALCO congratulates Avon Township on this well-deserved recognition. Thank you for your continued efforts to promote recycling and environmental stewardship in Lake County!
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September 9: Garden Learning Series
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September 19: HCW Drop-Off
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September 19: Community Recycling Event
- Waukegan Park Maintenance Facility
- 2211 Ernie Krueger Road, Waukegan, IL 60087
- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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September 20: Buffalo Grove Green Fair
- Mike Rylko Community Park
- 1000 N Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
- 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM
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September 23: Special Materials Collection
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September 26: HCW Drop-Off
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September 26: Shoes, Shred, and "Soup"
- Avon Township Center
- 433 E Washington Street, Round Lake Park, IL 60073
- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
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September 26: Reuse-O-Rama
- Riverwoods Village Hall
- 300 Portwine Road, Riverwoods, IL 60015
- 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
To learn about these programs and more, visit swalco.org.
Check with your community for more events and opportunities.
Thanks for taking a moment to catch up on The SWALCO Scoop! Please encourage your family and friends to sign up for our exclusive newsletter to stay informed on the latest news, updates, and events. Together, we can make a difference!
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