Kane County committee backs producer-funded disposal programs, approves vape-collection resolution

Kane County staff reported on household hazardous waste programs and collection statistics and the committee voted March 13 to support three producer-funded disposal measures intended to shift disposal costs from local governments to manufacturers.

Claire Ryan, the county program lead, told the committee the Neapville drop-off site recorded 1,863 visits by Kane County residents in 2025 (about 8.7% of the site's total) and that roughly 115,000 pounds of material were collected there last year. Ryan said the county’s home pickup service had 387 uses in 2025 and collected just under 20,000 pounds of material, with about 45% recycled or treated and 55% incinerated.

"The number one material always collected is pesticides and fertilizers — it made up about half of all the material that goes through this program," Ryan said, noting that most of those materials must be incinerated because recycling options do not exist for many pesticides.

The committee also reviewed retailer and partner programs: several hardware chains and a Habitat for Humanity store accept leftover paint and some retailers send collected paint to a processing facility in Nashville, Illinois, where recycled paint is blended and reused. Ryan said the county’s partnership with Ace Hardware for fluorescent-bulb collection recovered mercury-containing lamps and cost the county about $1,200 for processing last year.

Ryan discussed the county’s participation in the state battery stewardship program: the county collects batteries at Fabian Parkway and events and may sign a reimbursement agreement to receive roughly $0.20 per pound of batteries collected. She said the state's attorney flagged liability language in the proposed contract, which would cap the stewardship nonprofit’s liability at $5,000 per year, a provision staff are reviewing.

The committee then considered three resolutions supporting different forms of extended producer responsibility (EPR): a broad manufacturer-funded HHW disposal program, a carve-out EPR for automotive lubricants and a producer-funded program to collect disposable vaping devices and e-cigarettes. The motions all passed; recorded roll calls show at least one dissenting vote on each measure (David Young voted "no" on motions he questioned as outside the committee’s purview).

"When you shift disposal and recycling costs away, the manufacturer may pass costs on to consumers," David Young said during debate, explaining his objection. Other members argued EPR is an efficient way to internalize disposal costs and reduce unsafe disposal.

Staff closed by noting additional county programs — a tree voucher program for new homeowners, upcoming Greenfest outreach and conditional federal/state funding opportunities for home weatherization and electrification.

The committee placed reports on file and adjourned.