With Spring Clean Up coming up, it’s a good time to share information about how to best dispose of items you no longer need. Most of the items listed below will NOT be picked up during Spring Clean Up, or can be kept out of the landfill and put to better use.

Appliances: Call Lakeshore Recycling Systems at 773.685.8811 or email them to schedule pick up. There is a charge of $40 per item.
Arts and Crafts supplies: donate them to the Brushwood Art Supply Exchange.
Bicycles: Donate to Working Bikes.
Electronics: Leave one large, or several small electronics at the curb on your first trash pick up day of the month or drop off at the City’s Recycling Center (see Styrofoam for hours).
Household Chemical Waste: The SWALCO website has a schedule of Household Chemical Waste drop off events.
Medication:  Drop them off anytime in the disposal box at the HP Police Station, 1677 Old Deerfield Road. Details are here. 
Recyclables: Put these out on your regular trash day.
Shoes: Paired shoes (tie or rubber band together) can be dropped off at the City’s Recycling Center. 1180 Half Day Road, from 7 am – 1 pm any Tuesday or the first Saturday of the month. Details are here.
Styrofoam: Drop off at the City’s Recycling Center. 1180 Half Day Road, from 7 am – 1 pm any Tuesday or the first Saturday of the month. Details are here.
Textiles: Place in a sealed plastic bag and drop off anytime in one of the collection boxes located at the City’s Recycling Center or the Highland Park Metra Station (east of tracks and south of station).
Usable items: Donate to charity or use the Highland Park-Highwood Freebox page on Facebook to get unwanted but usable items to others in the community.

Learn more about how to recycle or dispose of unusual items here and here.  Here are some creative repurposing ideas for spring.