Know Which Grayslake Drop-Off to Use Before You Drive
Grayslake now has two different recycling routes that are easy to confuse. The Berry Avenue Public Works site remains useful for electronics, clothing, textiles, shoes and residential food scraps, while common household recyclables such as cardboard, paper, plastic containers, cans and glass bottles or jars are directed to the WM Lake County Recycling Center.
Two Grayslake recycling routes
Quick answer: Berry Avenue or WM Lake County?
Use Berry Avenue when you have eligible residential electronics, clothing, textiles, shoes or food scraps. Use WM Lake County Recycling Center for cardboard boxes, mixed paper, plastic containers, aluminum cans, steel cans and glass bottles or jars.
The biggest wasted-trip risk is treating 585 Berry Avenue as a general household-recycling center. That is no longer how the site operates.
On this page
How Grayslake Recycling Works Now
The Grayslake Public Works facility at 585 Berry Avenue is a specialized drop-off location rather than a one-stop destination for every recyclable material. The Village of Grayslake lists electronics, textiles, shoes and food scraps among the recycling services that remain at the site.
Common household recyclables follow a different route. SWALCO directs cardboard boxes, mixed paper, plastic containers, aluminum cans, steel cans and glass bottles or jars to the WM Lake County Recycling Center at 30869 IL-83 in Grayslake.
Do not rely on an old habit or an old map listing
If you previously used Berry Avenue for cardboard, paper, cans, glass or plastic, re-sort the load before leaving. Those materials now follow the WM route.
Official sources describe the 2025 transition with slightly different dates: the Village page references a September 22 change, while SWALCO describes the move as effective October 1, 2025. For a current visit, the important point is the same: these common household recyclables no longer belong at the Berry Avenue drop-off.
Grayslake Recycling Center Hours
The Village of Grayslake and SWALCO list the Berry Avenue Public Works recycling hours as Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon.
Regular Sunday hours are not listed. Food-scrap information from SWALCO also states that the Grayslake drop-off excludes holidays, so verify holiday-week access before making a special trip.
| Location | Listed Hours | Main Use | Before You Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grayslake Public Works 585 Berry Avenue |
Mon–Fri 8 AM–3 PM Sat 8 AM–noon |
Electronics, textiles, clothing, shoes and food scraps | Check holidays and material rules |
| WM Lake County Recycling Center 30869 IL-83 |
Mon–Fri 7 AM–3 PM | Moved household recyclables | Do not assume weekend access |
“Open today” still depends on the material
A facility can be open while the item in your vehicle belongs at the other location. Confirm both the hours and the accepted-material route before driving.
Which Grayslake Facility Should You Use?
Use 585 Berry Avenue for
- Residential electronics accepted by SWALCO
- Clothing
- Textiles
- Shoes
- Residential food scraps for composting
Use 30869 IL-83 for
- Cardboard boxes
- Mixed paper
- Plastic containers
- Aluminum cans
- Steel cans
- Glass bottles and jars
Household Recycling Items That Moved Away From Berry Avenue
The practical rule is simple: paper/cardboard, common containers and bottles/jars should not be loaded for the Berry Avenue site. SWALCO directs the following materials to WM Lake County Recycling Center.
| Material | Berry Avenue? | Current Route | Preparation Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardboard boxes | No | WM Lake County Recycling Center | Empty and flatten boxes when practical. |
| Mixed paper | No | WM Lake County Recycling Center | Keep paper separate from trash and contamination. |
| Plastic containers | No | WM Lake County Recycling Center | Empty containers before drop-off. |
| Aluminum and steel cans | No | WM Lake County Recycling Center | Keep food and liquid residue out. |
| Glass bottles and jars | No | WM Lake County Recycling Center | Use the current facility rules for preparation. |
If you have a large quantity of boxes, see the site’s cardboard recycling preparation guide before loading your vehicle.
What Berry Avenue Still Accepts
The current Berry Avenue role is concentrated around SWALCO-supported residential programs. The most useful categories are electronics, clothing/textiles/shoes and residential food scraps.
Electronics
SWALCO lists the Grayslake Public Works site as a year-round residential electronics location for Lake County residents.
Clothing, Textiles & Shoes
These materials remain listed at the Grayslake location. Clothing/textile collection containers are available during posted site hours.
Food Scraps
Residential food-scrap composting is available during listed hours, excluding holidays.
Grayslake Electronics Recycling Rules
SWALCO states that its year-round residential electronics program is for Lake County residents. The Grayslake location is listed as no cost, appointments are not required, businesses are prohibited, and residents may bring up to seven electronic items per visit. Miscellaneous cords and cables do not count toward that limit.
Electronics examples listed by the Village
Accepted examples include televisions, monitors, computers, laptops, tablets, printers, keyboards, mice, fax machines, scanners, small-scale servers, VHS/DVD/DVR/CD players and recorders, game systems, cable and satellite receivers, hard drives, telephones, cameras, shredders and holiday lights.
| Electronics Question | Current Rule |
|---|---|
| Who may use the SWALCO electronics program? | Lake County residents. |
| Is there a fee? | SWALCO lists the Grayslake site as no cost for Lake County residents. |
| Do I need an appointment? | No appointment is required for the year-round electronics drop-off. |
| How many electronics? | Up to seven items per visit; miscellaneous cords and cables are not limited. |
| Can businesses use it? | No. Businesses are prohibited from the residential electronics program. |
For television-specific preparation, see the TV recycling guide.
Check SWALCO’s current electronics locations and rules before visiting.
Food Scraps, Clothing, Textiles and Shoes
Residential food scraps
SWALCO lists the Grayslake Recycling Center at 585 Berry Avenue as a residential food-scrap drop-off. Posted hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Saturday 8:00 AM to noon, excluding holidays.
Examples SWALCO says “yes” to
- Fruits and vegetables
- Breads, grains, pasta and cereal
- Eggshells and dairy without liquids
- Leftovers and kitchen scraps
- Coffee grounds, filters and tea bags
- Meat, poultry, seafood, shells and bones
- Paper towels, paper plates and napkins
- Grass cuttings, leaves and garden waste
Keep these out
- Glass, metal and styrofoam
- Plastic bags or other plastic
- Liquids, grease and oil
- Diapers
- Pet litter or pet waste
- Rubber bands and twist ties
- Soil, rocks, cement and bricks
Verify the current SWALCO food-scrap list.
Clothing, textiles and shoes
SWALCO lists clothing and textile collection at 585 Berry Avenue during the same Monday-Friday and Saturday operating windows. The Village also describes its shoe-recycling service at the Public Works facility.
For shoes, the Village says pairs should remain together. Its published Reuse-A-Shoe guidance excludes rollerblades, ice skates and winter boots, so unusual footwear should be checked before loading it.
What Not to Put in the Grayslake Electronics Collection
The electronics collection is not a general disposal area. The Village specifically lists several items that should stay out of the electronics bin.
| Not Accepted With Electronics | Better Next Step |
|---|---|
| Batteries, including alkaline, non-rechargeable and lead-acid batteries | Use a battery-specific recycling or disposal route. |
| Fluorescent light bulbs | Use an approved bulb or household chemical waste program. |
| Small and large household appliances | Check appliance recycling, retailer, hauler or special collection options. |
| Air conditioners, refrigerators and dehumidifiers | Use a program equipped for appliances and refrigerants. |
| Smoke and fire detectors | Check product-specific disposal instructions. |
| Paint, liquids and chemical waste | Use SWALCO household chemical waste options. |
| Packaging materials and broken glass | Remove packaging before unloading electronics and use the appropriate waste/recycling route. |
For battery-specific options, use the battery recycling guide.
Paint, Chemicals and Household Hazardous Waste
Paint, chemical waste and similar materials should not be added to the Berry Avenue electronics collection. SWALCO operates a separate Household Chemical Waste program for residential waste.
SWALCO says its year-round public Household Chemical Waste drop-off is held at its Gurnee facility and requires an appointment. The program is for Illinois residents and does not accept business, commercial or institutional waste.
Do not mix chemicals into an electronics load
If you have paint, cleaners, pesticides, pool chemicals or other potentially hazardous products, check the SWALCO Household Chemical Waste program first. Appointment and accepted-material rules are different from Berry Avenue electronics recycling.
Check SWALCO Household Chemical Waste appointments and accepted materials.
You can also review the site’s household hazardous waste recycling guide for preparation questions to ask before a trip.
Do You Need a Drop-Off at All?
Village curbside recycling remains an important alternative for Grayslake households. The Village lists newspaper, corrugated cardboard, glass bottles and jars, chipboard, food and beverage cans, tin/aluminum/bi-metal cans, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, paperboard and plastics numbered 1 through 5 among materials accepted in the residential recycling container.
The Village specifically says not to place styrofoam in the recycling container.
Curbside and drop-off are separate systems
The fact that household recycling moved away from Berry Avenue does not mean Grayslake stopped curbside recycling. Residents with Village service should compare curbside eligibility with the WM drop-off route before making an extra trip.
Before-You-Go Checklist
- Sort by destination. Separate Berry Avenue materials from the household recyclables that now go to WM.
- Check the day and hours. Berry Avenue has Saturday hours; the WM moved-items route is listed Monday through Friday.
- Count electronics. The residential electronics program allows up to seven electronic items per visit, excluding miscellaneous cords and cables from the limit.
- Confirm residency. SWALCO’s year-round electronics program is for Lake County residents.
- Remove non-electronic material. Do not bring packaging, broken glass, batteries, chemicals or appliances as part of the electronics load.
- Separate food scraps carefully. Keep plastic bags, glass, metal, styrofoam, liquids, diapers, pet waste and other excluded material out.
- Use a separate chemical-waste plan. SWALCO Household Chemical Waste requires a different location and appointment process.
- Check official notices before holiday trips. Posted hours can be affected by holidays or temporary operating changes.
Map to Grayslake Public Works Recycling Center
The embedded map below points to the Berry Avenue Public Works location. It is appropriate for eligible electronics, clothing, textiles, shoes and food scraps—not the common household recyclables that moved to WM.
Grayslake Recycling Center FAQs
Where is the Grayslake Recycling Center?
The Village recycling drop-off is at the Grayslake Public Works facility, 585 Berry Avenue, Grayslake, Illinois 60030. The Village describes it as being at the end of Berry Avenue, east of Route 83.
What are the Grayslake Recycling Center hours?
Berry Avenue is listed Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon.
Is the Grayslake Recycling Center open on Sunday?
No regular Sunday recycling hours are listed for the Berry Avenue location. Verify special notices before making a Sunday or holiday trip.
What is still accepted at 585 Berry Avenue?
The site remains listed for residential electronics, clothing, textiles, shoes and food scraps for composting.
Can I take cardboard to Berry Avenue?
No. Cardboard boxes are among the household recyclables redirected to WM Lake County Recycling Center at 30869 IL-83.
Where do paper, plastic containers, cans and glass go now?
SWALCO directs mixed paper, plastic containers, aluminum cans, steel cans and glass bottles or jars to WM Lake County Recycling Center, 30869 IL-83, Grayslake.
Is electronics recycling free in Grayslake?
SWALCO lists its Grayslake year-round electronics site as no cost for Lake County residents. The residential program does not accept businesses.
Do I need an appointment for electronics recycling?
No appointment is required for SWALCO’s year-round residential electronics drop-off at Grayslake during the listed operating hours.
How many electronics can I drop off?
SWALCO allows up to seven electronic items per visit. Miscellaneous cords and cables are not limited under the posted rule.
Are batteries and paint accepted with electronics?
No. The Village lists batteries, paint, liquids and chemical waste among items not accepted in the electronics collection. Use a battery-specific or SWALCO Household Chemical Waste route instead.
Official Sources Checked
This guide uses current public information from the Village of Grayslake and the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO). Check these sources again when your trip involves a holiday, unusual item, large electronics load or household chemical waste.
- Village of Grayslake — Recycling Center
- Village of Grayslake — Recycling and curbside information
- SWALCO — Year-Round Electronics Drop-Off Locations
- SWALCO — Residential Food Scrap Drop-Off Locations
- SWALCO — Clothing and Textile Drop-Off Locations
- SWALCO — Grayslake household recycling move notice
- SWALCO — Household Chemical Waste Program
Verification date: September 30, 2026.