Since 1993, household hazardous waste from more than 59,900 Johnson County residents (almost six times the number of parking spaces at Oak Park Mall) has been safely recycled or disposed of as hazardous waste through the Johnson County Environmental Departments Household Hazardous Material Program.

This free collection program provides an alternative to landfill disposal of hazardous waste and encourages residents to manage their hazardous home products wisely through safe use, storage and disposal. The program is open only to Johnson County residents.

Since the program's inception, more than 76,400 gallons of latex paint (enough to paint more than 5,100 homes) have been reblended and returned to use in the community through various civic groups. In addition, more than 40,752 gallons of motor oil (32,000 oil changes) and 6,785 automotive batteries have been recycled.

Types of materials accepted for collection are:

• Adhesives
• Car batteries
• Cleaning products
• Disinfectants
• Pesticides
• Fertilizers
• Paint
• Paint stripper
• Solvents
• Pool chemicals
• Photo chemicals
• Wood preservatives
• Gasoline
• Brake fluid
• Antifreeze

Materials not accepted:

• Asbestos
• Medical waste
• Radioactive wastes

The collection site is open year-round by appointment only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, except holidays.

Residents may call the Johnson County Environmental Department, 913/715-6900 (TDD: 1-800-766-3777), for an appointment and directions to the site.