Quick Answer: Prohibited: hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, motor oil, propane), tires, electronics (Illinois ban), refrigerant-containing appliances (unless handled separately), liquid waste, asbestos, and medical waste. Penalties for prohibited items range from small disposal fees to four-figure hazmat charges.
Federal and Illinois Prohibitions
Hazardous Materials (Federal)
- Wet paint (latex must be dried out and solidified)
- Oil-based paint and stain
- Motor oil and automotive fluids
- Solvents, thinners, gasoline, kerosene
- Pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals
- Propane tanks (even empty)
- Asbestos and asbestos-containing material
Tires (Illinois)
Tires are banned from Illinois landfills. Junk Nurse routes tires to recyclers — let us know if you have them. Some companies refuse them outright; others charge per-tire fees.
Electronics (Illinois Electronic Products Recycling Act)
Banned from landfills since 2012:
- TVs and monitors
- Computers, laptops, tablets
- Printers, fax machines
- Game consoles, DVD players
- Small electronics with power cords
Refrigerant-Containing Appliances (Without Recovery)
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Window AC units
- Dehumidifiers
- Wine coolers
EPA Section 608 requires refrigerant recovery before disposal. Junk Nurse handles this.
Practical Prohibitions
Liquid Waste
No liquids in dumpsters — even non-hazardous (pool water, cooking oil). They leak in transit and get rejected at the transfer station.
Medical Waste
Needles, syringes, prescription medications, sharps containers. Pharmacies and licensed medical waste services handle these.
Biohazard Material
Anything with bodily fluids exposure. Hoarding cleanouts sometimes involve biohazard — requires specialized service.
Materials With Weight Considerations (Not Prohibited)
Allowed, but watch weight:
- Concrete, brick, block
- Dirt and soil
- Roofing shingles
- Heavy stone or tile
What Happens If Prohibited Items Show Up
- Minor issue: Items pulled aside, separate disposal fee charged.
- Major issue: Pickup delayed until items removed.
- Hazmat detected at transfer station: Entire load can be billed as hazmat — four-figure fees.
How to Stay Compliant
- Ask before loading if uncertain — (630) 294-1340
- Set aside questionable items
- Don’t bury prohibited items at the bottom of the load
- Use county hazmat collection events for paint, chemicals, etc.
Got a project? Call (630) 294-1340 or request a free quote. The price we quote is the price you pay — Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm.