Recycling Centers in Joliet, IL
Find drop-off recycling locations in Joliet, Illinois. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
If you live in Joliet and need a convenient place to recycle, this directory helps you find local recycling centers. These centers accept standard materials like paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and aluminum, as well as specialty items depending on the facility. Browse the listings below to find contact information and hours for each location.
Recycling in Joliet: A Local Guide
Joliet residents have a few distinct recycling options depending on what they need to get rid of. For electronics, the ecoATM kiosk inside Walmart Supercenter at 2424 W Jefferson St pays instant cash for used smartphones, tablets, and iPods — open daily 6 AM–11 PM with no appointment needed. Bring a valid state-issued ID and factory-reset your device beforehand. It's a kiosk, not a general e-waste drop-off; laptops, TVs, and cables aren't accepted here.
If you've got scrap metal — copper pipe, aluminum, brass, or steel — Ace Iron & Metals at 11 3rd Ave has been buying from the public for decades. Open Monday through Friday 8 AM–4:30 PM and Saturday 8 AM–noon, they pay same-day cash for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, lead-acid batteries, motors, radiators, and insulated wire. A wire stripping service is also available on-site. Prices change daily with commodity markets, so call 815-723-2612 for current rates.
The WM Joliet Transfer Station at 2850 Mound Rd primarily serves commercial haulers accepting municipal solid waste and C&D debris, Monday–Friday 6 AM–4 PM. It is not a public recycling center — for residential curbside recycling in Joliet, contact the City of Joliet or WM's residential pickup program.
For a broader look at recycling resources across the region, visit the Illinois recycling hub. Cities like Bolingbrook and Aurora also have recycling programs worth checking if you're in the southwest suburbs.
All Recycling Centers in Joliet
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Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Joliet
What are the current scrap aluminum prices in Illinois at Joliet recyclers?
Ace Iron & Metals (11 3rd Ave, Joliet) buys aluminum and posts current prices at the yard. Scrap aluminum rates fluctuate daily based on the commodity market — call 815-723-2612 for today's per-pound price before loading up your vehicle. Grades like cast aluminum, sheet, and extrusions each have different rates.
Can you get money for recycling in Illinois — specifically in Joliet?
Yes, two ways. The ecoATM kiosk at Walmart (2424 W Jefferson St) pays instant cash for old smartphones and tablets. Ace Iron & Metals (11 3rd Ave) pays cash for scrap metal including copper, aluminum, brass, and steel. Neither charges a fee — you receive payment, not the other way around.
Is scrap metal recycling profitable at Ace Iron & Metals in Joliet?
It depends on what you have and current market rates. Non-ferrous metals like copper and brass command the highest prices. Ferrous scrap (steel, cast iron) pays less per pound but is accepted in volume. Ace Iron & Metals offers same-day cash with no appointment — call 815-723-2612 to get a sense of today's rates before hauling your load in.
Will scrap metal prices go up in 2026 — should I hold my scrap in Joliet?
Scrap metal prices are tied to global commodity markets and can move up or down week to week. There's no reliable way to predict short-term movements. If storage and hauling costs are low, holding metal is an option — but most homeowners sell when convenient rather than trying to time the market. Ace Iron & Metals can tell you what the trend looks like locally: call 815-723-2612.