Recycling
Although participation in Aurora's curb side recycling program is not mandatory, the waste program is designed to encourage residents to recycle because doing so will reduce the volume of your trash and lower your disposal costs.
The City of Aurora is not responsible for lost or destroyed recycling bins. Replacement or additional bins are available for purchase at City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place or Allied Waste. You may also purchase any type of 18 gallon recycling bin from various department stores or hardware stores.
Preparation of material
Recyclable materials may be placed in an 18 gallon recycling bin or paper grocery bag, not plastic grocery bags. Materials should be rinsed free of food and caps and lids removed. Flatten All corrugated cardboard boxes, paperboard, wet strength carrier stock and remove any non paper packing material.
Recyclable Paper Items
- Newspaper and all newspaper inserts
- Glossy and non-glossy magazines
- Catalogs
- Telephone directories
- Brown Kraft paper bags
- Corrugated cardboard
- Paperboard (chipboard)
- Cereal boxes
- Wet strength carrier stock such as beer and soda boxes
- Frozen food boxes
- Junk mail
- Mixed paper
Non-Paper Items
- Plastic bottles and containers numbered #1 - #7
- Aluminum/bi-metal cans
- Aluminum foil
- Steel or tin cans
- Aerosol cans
- Aluminum baking trays/pie plates
- Brown, green, and clear glass bottles and jars
- Gable top milk cartons
- Juice cartons and boxes
- Household batteries placed in a clear sandwich bag and placed beside the recycling bin.
Unacceptable Items
No mirrors, window glass or #6 Polystyrene blocks or packing peanuts will be accepted.
Hazardous Materials
There is a hazardous material drop-off at the Brookdale and Route 59, Naperville Fire Station #4, 420-4190, on Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 9am. - 3pm, Closed on Holidays. There is no cost for drop-off. Items included are listed below.
Automotive
In general, any fluids, fuel, cleaner additive or maintenance product used with motor vehicles with the exception of lead-acid “Automotive” batteries are accepted. This includes but may not be limited to: Antifreeze, Battery Acid, Car War, Auto Body Filler/Paints, Engine Degreaser, Gasoline, Cleaner, Carburetor, Motor/Transmission Oil, Power Steering, Lubricating Oil, Fluid/Solvents - Any Aerosol Products used in or on motor vehicles.
Home Repair/Building/Woodworking/Hobby Supplies
In general any household wastes associated with home repair projects are accepted. This includes but may not be limited to: Asphalt Roofing Tar, Chemistry Sets, Concrete Cleaner, Chalk Powder, Carpenters Glue, Asbestos (wetted and sealed in a plastic bag), Driveway Sealer, Drywall Compound, Fluorescent Bulbs/ Ballast’s Grout, Lead Paint Chips, Driveway Crack Filler, Glue and Cements, Mercury Switches, Solutions, Thermostats, Paint Stripper (Methylene/Chloride), Lime, Wood Preservatives.
Painting and Decorating Supplies
In general, any material or waste associated with painting for decorating the household including, buy may not be limited to: Acetone, All Oil Based/Stains, All Spray Paints, Brush Cleaners, Mineral Spirits/Turpentine, Creosote, Paint Thinner, Wallpaper Paste/Size Liquid, Drywall Sealer.
Kitchen, Laundry, Household Cleaning
Any product used in the home to clean, cook, remove, unclog, disinfect or freshen the household. These items include but are not limited to: Aluminum Cleaner, Bleach, Brasso, Cesspool Cleaner, Pine Oil, Mothballs, Lye, Lime Away, Furniture Polish, Dry Cleaning Solvents, Oven Cleaners, Rug Cleaners, Rust Remover, Septic Tank Degreasers, Spot Removers/Fabric Softener.
Medicines and Cosmetics
Items used in make-up or health care. These include but are not limited to: Cuticle Remover, Hair Perm Solutions, Medications, Perfume, Cologne and After Shave, Rubbing Alcohol, Nail Polish and Remover, Shampoo for Lice, Shoe Dye, Thermometer and Thermostats w/Mercury, Any Polishes.
Pesticides and Herbicides
Any pesticide, insecticide, herbicide, fertilizers or product used to control insects, weeds or other unwanted pests. There are hundreds of product names for these materials and we accept them all. These items include, but are not limited to: Pentachorophynol, Diazanon, Fertilizers/Pesticides, Flee Powder, Insect Sprays, Rat Poison, Lindain, Malathion/Poisons, Silvex; 2,4,D; 45,T, Vegetation Killer, Weed Killer, Soil Fumigants.
Pool Chemicals, Whirlpool Chemicals/Cleaners, Water Treatment Products
Materials used to chlorinate water in pools water systems or pH control products are accepted. These items include but are not limited to: Ammonium Hydroxide, Bromine Pool Acid, Calcium Hypochlorite, HTH, Muriatric Acid, Pool Chlorine, Potassium Permanganate, Sodium Hypochlorite.
Batteries
We can accept all household batteries with the exception of motor vehicle batteries. These include: Alkaline, Button Batteries, Hearing Aid Batteries, Lantern Batteries, Lithium Batteries, NI Cads, Watch Batteries, Wet Cell.
Totally Unacceptable Items
- Latex Paint
- Ammunition and all explosives/fireworks - check with your local police department.
- Car Batteries
- Commercial/Industrial/Institutional waste
- Garbage - Non-household hazardous waste
- Radioactive materials
- Propane Tank Cylinders - use up or take to local propane gas dealer/company.