The goals of the Solid Waste Management Program are to assure the proper handling of solid waste to prevent public health concerns and to maximize the reduction, reuse and recycling of solid waste generated in McHenry County. 

2026 Recycling Events to be Announced Soon.

June 6, 2026 House Hold Hazardous Waste Collection Event
Pre-Registration will be required and registration will open in April 2026.  More details to come.

Unfortunately the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County has had to close their Styrofoam collection sites. 

Please dispose of Styrofoam in your garbage can and not in your curbside recycling bin. 

Please visit the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County’s website at www.mcdef.org for more information.

2025 McHenry County Recycling Directory Green Guide

Please click the flyer below to download the full documents.

 Everyday Electronics Recycling Options

Elgin Recycling, located at 5114 Terra Cotta Ave. in Crystal Lake, will accept electronics for recycling Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, please visit their website at www.elginrecycling.com or contact them by phone at (847) 741-4100.

Best Buy, located at 5880 Northwest Hwy, Crystal Lake. Visit their website at Best Buy for information on the items they accept.

_{Christmas Lights Are Recyclable.
But Please Don’t Put Them In Your Curbside Recycle bin.}

Many of the municipalities and township in our county provide bins at their facilities to recycle Christmas Lights.  Some offer year round collection options as well. Please check with your municipality to see if they are participating.

There are other year round location to recycle Christmas Lights, for example Elgin Recycling in Crystal Lake.