Will County Gazette

State Senator John Curran and State Representative Nicole LaHa will host a free recycling event in Darien on Saturday, August 9, 2025. The event is scheduled to take place from 9:00 am to noon at the Hinsdale South High School parking lot, located at 7401 Clarendon Hills Rd.

Residents are encouraged to bring items that can be difficult to recycle, such as old copiers, DVD players, bicycles, documents, and more. Upon arrival, attendees are asked to remain in their vehicles while event staff assist with unloading items. Several organizations will participate in the event, including Beaver Shredding, DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, E-Tech Trading, Goodwill Industries, S.C.A.R.C.E., and Working Bikes. Informational legislative brochures will also be available for those attending.

“As the summer wraps up, now is a great time to clean out unwanted clutter,” said Sen. Curran. “From document shredding to clothing donation, to good, old-fashioned recycling, this free community event offers multiple ways to come together and make a difference.”

A paper shredding truck will be present for residents who wish to dispose of old documents. There is a limit of two grocery bags per car until the shredder reaches capacity. This service is only for residential documents; commercial documents will not be accepted. Additionally, unneeded or expired non-liquid prescription drugs may be dropped off for disposal; however, sharpies and epi-pens are not permitted.

“We all have that corner of the garage or closet full of stuff we’ve been meaning to get rid of,” said Rep. La Ha. “This event is a chance to finally clear it out and do it in a way that’s safe, responsible, and easy. I’m glad to work with Senator Curran to bring this kind of service to our community.”

Acceptable items include residential documents for shredding; gently used clothing and household items; some electronics; bicycles and bicycle parts; pop tops; books (excluding encyclopedias); wire; keys and key fobs; Brita brand water filters or pitchers; small inkjet cartridges (not toners); holiday lights; plastic bread tabs; musical instruments; cell phones and smartphones; desktop printer cartridges; and certain prescription drugs (excluding liquids or epi pens).

Items that cannot be accepted include furniture such as chairs or couches; mattresses and bed frames; desks or office furniture; tables or dressers; large exercise equipment or pianos/organs; televisions of any kind or CRT computer monitors; household chemicals like pesticides or paint products; automotive hazardous waste such as tires or batteries; large appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners; personal care items including shampoo or nail polish remover; fragrance products or carpet materials; plumbing fixtures/building materials; traditional recyclables like glass/newspapers/cardboard/plastics/magazines/junk mail etc.; weapons including guns/ammunition/bows/arrows/other weapons-related items—and certain baby products not meeting current safety standards.

Senator John Curran was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois' 41st Senate District in 2017 after succeeding Christine Radogno.

More information about the event—including a complete list of acceptable and non-acceptable items—can be found at https://senatorcurran.com/event/recycling-event-2/.