Where to recycle electronics, paint and batteries in the Tri-Cities

Updated Nov. 13, 2026: The Fabyan Parkway center's first-week limits and Veterans Day closure have passed.

Old TVs, paint cans, dead batteries and leftover chemicals can't go in your curbside cart in St. Charles, Geneva or Batavia. The closest drop-off for most of them is Kane County's recycling center at 517 E. Fabyan Parkway in Geneva, which reopened Nov. 9 after three weeks of repaving. Here are that site's rules and the other local options.

The Fabyan Parkway center is open again

Kane County's recycling center at 517 E. Fabyan Parkway reopened at 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, after closing Oct. 19 for repaving. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, with no appointment. The county said the site could not take corrugated cardboard or large scrap metal during its first week back, Nov. 9-13. As of Nov. 13, its recycling page had not said when those items would be accepted again, so call (630) 208-3841 before bringing them.

The Tuesday and Thursday pop-ups at 703 E. Fabyan Parkway are over. The county canceled the Nov. 10 and Nov. 12 dates because the center reopened early.

TVs and monitors cost $25 under 21 inches and $35 for 21 inches and up at county sites. Our story on the reopening has hours and the full list of what the center takes.

Electronics: three more options

LRS in Elburn. The transfer station at 1N138 Linlar Drive takes computers, printers, TVs, game consoles and other covered electronics on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Appointments are required and there is a limit of seven items per visit. For a TV or monitor, call 844-633-3577 to book and prepay. Fees are $25 under 21 inches, $35 from 21 to 65 inches and $100 over 65 inches.

Best Buy in Geneva. The store at 1876 S. Randall Road accepts consumer electronics from residents, with a $29.99 fee per TV or monitor. Size limits apply: 31 inches for tube TVs and 50 inches for flat screens.

Your trash hauler. In St. Charles and Geneva, LRS picks up electronics on garbage day if you tag them with refuse stickers: 15 per TV or monitor, five for a small box under 50 pounds, one for a single small item. A St. Charles sticker is $4.05 as of July 1, 2026. In Batavia, Groot collects e-waste curbside for a prepaid fee. Call 630-892-9294 at least 24 hours ahead.

Leftover paint

Under Illinois' paint stewardship program, house paint, primer, deck stain and similar coatings can be dropped off free at participating stores. Kane County's February 2026 list includes Ace Hardware of St. Charles (2650 E. Main St.), Sherwin-Williams (2406 W. Main St., St. Charles) and JC Licht Paint & Decor (716 W. State St., Geneva). Stores generally take up to five gallons per visitor per day, so call ahead. Dried-out latex paint can go in the trash with the lid off. Spray paint is not included.

Batteries

A state battery program started Jan. 1, 2026, and most household batteries can now be recycled for free. Starting Jan. 1, 2028, it becomes illegal to put batteries in the trash or curbside recycling.

• Home Depot, 2111 S. Randall Road, Geneva, and Lowe's, 955 S. Randall Road, accept all household battery types. No car or marine batteries, and no damaged lithium batteries.
• Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva, has a drop-off near the first-floor auditorium of Building A on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• St. Charles Public Works, 1405 S. Seventh Ave., has a household battery container on the first floor.

Keep any swollen or cracked lithium batteries separate.

Chemicals and household hazardous waste

Oil-based paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, solvents, auto fluids and fluorescent bulbs need special handling.

Free home pickup in Geneva and Batavia. Both cities take part in Kane County's home collection program. Clean Harbors picks up once per household per year, up to 70 pounds. Book online or call 866-466-5060. Pickup comes one to six weeks after booking. Batavia caps the program at 22 households a month and keeps a waiting list. St. Charles is not on the county's eligible list.

Naperville drop-off. The household hazardous waste facility at 156 Fort Hill Drive is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday to any Illinois resident. Stay in your car. It does not take latex paint or medications.

Questions? The Kane County recycling office is at 630-208-3841 or recycle@kanecountyil.gov.