Hoffman Estates is hosting a free one-day recycling drop-off and document destruction event on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon. Due to high participation, residents are advised to arrive early at the Susan H. Kenley-Rupnow Public Works Center, 2305 Pembroke Ave. The event will conclude promptly at NOON (rather than 1 p.m. as in previous years).

New safety guidelines will be in place for this year's event:

• Residents must wear a mask and remain in their vehicle.
• IDs will be checked though a closed window to verify residency.
• Residents will unlock/open the trunk from inside the vehicle and allow staff to unload the items.
• Paper documents should be contained in one area in the back of vehicle in paper bags or small boxes – not in plastic bags!  Boxes and bags will be returned to the resident.
• If a person has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus or is experiencing symptoms, DO NOT attend this event.
• Site/event coordinator may refuse service if a resident fails to comply with the Safety Guidelines.

Document destruction and electronics recycling
Sponsored by the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC), this portion is for residents of Hoffman Estates and other SWANCC-member communities only, and proof of residency is required. There is no cost to attend. Materials will not be accepted from businesses, schools or non-SWANCC residents. If you cannot come to the Hoffman Estates recycling day, you may attend any SWANCC recycling event (proof of residency required). Visit www.swancc.org for more collection dates.

All paper, including medical records, bank statements and retired tax forms, is shredded on site by Accurate Document Destruction, and all electronics will be recycled by COM2 Recycling Solutions. For more information about these companies, visit www.shredd.net or www.com2recycling.com.

Residents will be limited to six file-size boxes or grocery-size paper bags of documents. Do not bring paper in plastic bags. Plastic, metal clips and binders should be removed.

A list of electronic items that will be accepted can be found on SWANCC's website here. Do NOT bring microwaves, kitchen appliances, humidifiers/dehumidifiers, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators and other home appliances. These items can be placed for Groot trash pickup, and small appliances can be recycled through the Simple Recycling (orange bag) program.

Additional services
In addition to electronics, the Village will be accepting these items for recycling:

• Expired drugs/sharps
• Fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) light bulbs
• Batteries
• Printer cartridges
• Textiles and home goods collected by Simple Recycling 
• Latex (water-based) paint collected by Earth Paint (for a nominal fee)
Earth Paint will recycle the collected paint to produce a quality paint at their recycling center in Wood Dale, providing paid positions for people with disabilities while diverting chemicals from our environment.