About this time last year, the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission, in collaboration with the Lumpkin Family Foundation and the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, embarked on a project to improve Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection options in a seven-county area (see attachment) of East Central Illinois.  Our study area includes Champaign County. This past July, we completed Part 1 of the project--a comprehensive overview of HHW collection activities in Illinois and best management practices.   

Part 2 is now underway.  We intend to develop recommendations regarding efficient and convenient options for HHW collection within our project study area.    

We ask for your assistance and invite your input regarding these two questions:

1. What volunteer groups or interested parties in Champaign County might be interested in supporting or participating in an improved HHW collection program? 

Participation can include marketing, promotion, collection, or perhaps even using some of the collected products.

1. Do you know of collection options in your county that are already taking place for the following products: 

• anti-freeze
• cell phones
• compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL)
• fluorescent tubes and high intensity discharge (HID) lamps
• lead acid batteries
• motor oil
• paint
• rechargeable batteries
• transmission fluid
• unwanted medicines

We are putting the finishing touches on a website to share HHW collection options in the study area, raise awareness regarding current efforts, and build strategies to improve HHW collection. 

You will be notified once this website is launched. 

Each county has its unique aspects, and ask that you share your insights and perspectives to optimize the effectiveness of this collaborative effort. 

Please respond to this email with any thoughts, ideas, or concerns.  Also, we are happy to meet to discuss potential options at your convenience.  Please forward to anyone that may have an interest.

All the best,