Recycling Centers in Grayslake, IL
Find drop-off recycling locations in Grayslake, Illinois. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
Grayslake has 2 recycling centers listed in this directory. Each listing includes the address, phone number, and opening hours where available. Call ahead to confirm accepted materials before making the trip.
Recycling in Grayslake: A Local Guide
Grayslake, Illinois (Lake County, population roughly 21,000) is served by two distinct recycling drop-off facilities, each handling a different set of materials — and understanding the split is key to getting your recyclables to the right place. The Grayslake Recycling Center at 585 Berry Ave, operated by the Village of Grayslake with SWALCO (Solid Waste Agency of Lake County), focuses on electronics, clothing, textiles, food scraps, batteries, and bulbs, free for Lake County residents (up to 7 electronic items per visit). The WM Lake County Recycling Center at 30869 IL-83 handles cardboard, mixed paper, plastic containers, aluminum cans, steel cans, and glass — the common household recyclables that Berry Ave stopped accepting on October 1, 2025.
The October 2025 change was announced by SWALCO and the Village: Berry Ave's public drop-off for bottles, cans, cardboard, and glass was officially discontinued, and WM's Materials Recovery Facility on IL-83 became the replacement public drop-off point. Both facilities are weekday-only — Berry Ave runs Mon–Fri 8 AM to 3 PM plus Sat 8 AM to noon; the WM facility operates Mon–Fri approximately 7 AM to 3 PM (call 847-548-1755 to confirm). Neither site has Sunday access. Village curbside service through Groot also picks up newspaper, cardboard, glass, cans, magazines, and plastics #1–5 (no styrofoam) at the curb on scheduled collection days.
The Berry Ave electronics program is Lake County residents only; businesses are prohibited from the free service. There is no confirmed residency check for dropping standard recyclables (cardboard, glass, cans) at the WM IL-83 facility, but it is an active industrial MRF — use the designated public drop-off lane. For hazardous household waste (HHW) including paint, motor oil, fluorescent bulbs, and freon-containing appliances, SWALCO runs scheduled collection events at its Gurnee facility; visit swalco.org for the calendar. The Berry Ave site is also Illinois's only residential food-scrap composting drop-off, making it genuinely unique in the state.
Lake County communities near Grayslake with additional recycling options include Crystal Lake to the west, Highland Park to the southeast, and Elgin further south. The College of Lake County campus also hosts a 24/7 drop-off container near Lot 6. For a full directory of Lake County drop-off locations by material, see the Illinois recycling page or SWALCO's online directory at swalco.org.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Grayslake
Where do I drop off cardboard and glass bottles in Grayslake now?
Since October 1, 2025, cardboard boxes, mixed paper, plastic containers, aluminum cans, steel cans, and glass bottles and jars are no longer accepted at 585 Berry Ave. Bring them to the WM Lake County Recycling Center at 30869 IL-83, Grayslake — open Mon–Fri (approximately 7 AM–3 PM; call 847-548-1755).
Is electronics recycling free at the Grayslake Recycling Center?
Yes, for Lake County residents. The Grayslake Recycling Center at 585 Berry Ave accepts up to 7 electronic items per visit at no charge (cords and cables are unlimited). Accepted items include TVs, monitors, computers, laptops, tablets, printers, game systems, phones, and more. Businesses may not use the program.
Does Grayslake have a food-scrap composting drop-off?
Yes — the Grayslake Recycling Center at 585 Berry Ave is the only residential food-scrap drop-off site in Illinois, per SWALCO. Drop off kitchen scraps during regular hours (Mon–Fri 8 AM–3 PM, Sat 8 AM–noon) — no cost for residents.
Where do I take paint, motor oil, or other hazardous waste in Grayslake?
Neither Grayslake recycling site accepts hazardous household waste (HHW). SWALCO holds scheduled HHW collection events at its facility in Gurnee, IL. Check swalco.org for upcoming dates. For nearby options, Crystal Lake and Highland Park also have SWALCO-coordinated HHW programs.