The Naperville Household Hazardous Waste facility — one of just four of its kind in the state of Illinois — has a new home as of this weekend and is ready to serve the residents of Kane County.

Opening on Saturday, Feb. 21, the new facility is located at 156 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville, just north of the Department of Public Works building at Fort Hill Drive and Jefferson Avenue. It will operate from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, excluding holidays.

The previous facility behind Fire Station No. 4 on the city of Naperville’s north side is now closed and will no longer be accepting material.

Since the program began, more than 33,000 Kane County residents have visited the facility, taking in their household cleaners, chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, auto-fluids, oil-based paints, pharmaceuticals, and other hazardous materials. In 2014, the facility served 2,226 Kane County residents, who delivered nearly 80,000 pounds of hazardous waste for proper disposal and recycling in that year.

The number of visitors has grown consistently over the years since it opened in 1992, stressing the capacity of the small facility and causing extended wait times for residents.

In order to improve services and reduce wait time, the $1.18 million facility ($900,000 of which was funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity) will feature a covered drop-off area, improved sorting and storage areas, and increased health and safety measures. Wait times are expected to be greatly reduced.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the new regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20. The celebration will include a walk-through of the new facility. The public is welcomed to attend.

Naperville Household Hazardous Waste Facility

• Location: 156 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville
• Open: Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

How to Drop Off

Household hazardous waste items may be safely disposed of at the City of Naperville’s dropoff facility, located on Fort Hill Drive between Jefferson and Quincy avenues. To safely transport hazardous materials, ensure containers are securely sealed. Materials should be left in original containers with legible labels. Do not mix chemicals together. Transport items in the trunk of your car. Protect against spills or leaks. For your safety, please stay in your vehicle when you arrive at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

What You Can Drop Off

• Aerosol cans
• Automotive fluids (including oil, gasoline and anti-freeze)
• Asbestos materials (sized to fi t in a 55-gallon drum; not in excess of 50 pounds)
• Batteries (including automotive, marine and sump pump)
• Fire extinguishers
• Flammables
• Fluorescent bulbs, CFLs (sealed, unbroken only)
• Household cleaners, drain openers and pool chemicals
• Mercury
• Paints and stains (oil based only)
• Peanut oil
• Poison, pesticides and fertilizers
• Prescription medications
• Propane tanks (20 pounds or less)
• Solvents and strippers
• Thermostats
• Unknown hazardous substances

Materials NOT Accepted

• Ammunition
• Compressed gas (other than propane)
• Electronics (accepted at recycling drop-off center)
• Empty spray cans and containers
• Explosives
• Helium tanks
• Latex Paint (see below)
• Paper, glass, metal, wood and Styrofoam
• Radioactive materials
• Sharps (needles or lancets)
• Smoke detectors
• Tires
• Trash and non-hazardous materials
• Unopened, useable consumer products
• No business waste accepted.

Visit the Naperville website for additional information on hazardous waste and disposal instructions for latex paint.