Frequently Asked Questions
Have a recycling-related question? We have the answer. Check out these FAQs and give us a call today for more information!
General Questions
Prices fluctuate with the market and may change daily. We do not supply customers with price sheets because the prices change without notice and we want to guarantee the most competitive scrap metal prices in Kankakee, IL. Call us or stop by to get current pricing. If you don’t know what type of material you have, it’s best to bring it in so one of our buyers can give you an accurate price.
Yes, our buyback center employees are available to help unload your materials! We have heavy equipment available to help unload large loads or trailers if requested, however, our scrap metal buyers in Kankakee, IL are not responsible for any damages.
When it comes to household appliances, we only offer pick-up for large loads. However, we can provide a referral of someone who can pick it up, but they will not pay you for the scrap. For scrap metal recycling in Kankakee, IL, give us a call today!
Sorting your materials ahead of time will help you get the best pricing available. Make sure to put the garbage in the trash, but bring the recyclable materials to our scrap metal buyers in Kankakee, IL!
Yes. Every customer must provide a valid picture ID (such as a driver’s license, military ID, etc.) for us to keep on file as required by the state of Illinois. We will then issue you a Vendor Number that you can use every time you come in, which speeds up the payout process for future transactions. You won't want to miss out on our scrap metal prices in Kankakee, IL, so stop in today with your next load!
Yes, your vendor number may be used at each of our facilities. We buy junk cars in Kankakee, IL as well as aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel appliances, iron, and more. According to Unitedtires, vehicles are the most recycled objects in America, so don't miss out! Stop in today with your vendor number to get money for your recycled products!
Material Questions
No, they do not have to be crushed. Our team members who work with scrap metal recycling in Kankakee, IL can take care of crushing the cans.
No, it’s best to leave the pop tabs on the cans. Our scrap metal buyers in Kankakee, IL can take care of any problem cans if need be, so you won't have to worry about it!
We no longer accept electronics, monitors, or televisions. We buy junk cars in Kankakee, IL as well as several other materials, however, so reach out today to learn more!
Prepared iron must be 2ft x 5ft x 1/4in thick in order to qualify for our scrap metal prices in Kankakee, IL.
No, we will inspect every unit and are certified to remove the refrigerant safely.
No, you can leave the tires on the vehicle.
Ferrous metals are sent to foundries and mills where they will be re-melted and reused. Non-ferrous metals are sent to companies that re-melt these metals for use in new products. River Valley Recycling re-melts certain grades of aluminum on-site.
The few things we do not currently accept are plastics, electronics, monitors, televisions, glass, household batteries, wood, Styrofoam, vinyl, tires, window/sheet glass, PVC pipe, outdoor play equipment, clothes/fabric, furniture, railroad equipment (unless the seller can produce a signed letter from the railroad company on company letterhead), RVs, vehicles without titles, and fiberglass boats.
Below are some suggestions for places that may take these items. We recommend you call first to verify that they do accept these, in case their policy has changed.
Household Batteries
- Interstate All Battery Center – 250 S Kinzie, Bradley (815) 802-1083
- Lowe’s – 860 N Kinzie Ave, Bradley (815) 933-5555
- est Buy – 1584 N State Route 50, Bourbonnais
- Fastenal – 1403 W Lafayette St Suite 3, Watseka (815) 432-0251
- Olympic Hardware – 516 N Dixie Hwy, Hoopeston (217) 283-5186
Fluorescent Lights and Light Bulbs
- Kankakee Ace Hardware – 1735 S Schuyler Ave, Kankakee (815) 939-9888
- Lowe’s – 860 N Kinzie Ave, Bradley (815) 933-5555
- Whitmore Ace Hardware – 361 S Locust Ave, Manteno (815) 468-3137 – 237 N Front St, Braidwood (815) 458-9850 – 210 S State St, Manhattan (815) 478-3317
- Fastenal – 1403 W Lafayette St Suite 3, Watseka (815) 432-0251
- Olympic Hardware – 516 N Dixie Hwy, Hoopeston (217) 283-5186
Used Oil and Other Motor Fluids
- Advance Auto Parts – 1171 E Court St, Kankakee (815) 929-0485 – 1135 E Division St, Coal City (815) 634-8852
- AutoZone – 1390 N Hobbie Ave, Kankakee (815) 935-0160 – 648 N Convent Road, Bourbonnais (815) 933-2275 – 808 E Walnut St, Watseka (815) 432-3482
- Walmart Tire and Lube Express – Riverstone Parkway, Kankakee (815) 802-1884 – Route 50, Bourbonnais (815) 939-6445
- Tholens Landscape Home and Garden – 1401 North Convent, Bourbonnais (815) 939-6445
- Dillman True Value – 201 S Main St, Grant Park (815) 465-6871
Paint
- The Kankakee Farmers Market usually offers paint recycling a few times a year. Most communities have some type of household hazardous waste program or “round up” event that accepts paint from their residents
- You can also follow the dry and dispose of properly guidelines. In many states, the only option for disposing of latex paint is to dry it out. In states that allow drying latex paint, let it dry in a safe location away from children and pets. Less than a half inch of paint will dry out easily when the lid is off. Larger volumes can be dried with absorbent material such as cat litter. Once it’s dry, dispose of the dried-out latex paint as garbage. Air-drying liquid oil-based (alkyd) paint is not considered safe
Other Household Chemicals
- Turn Key Environmental – 750 Almar Pkwy, Bourbonnais, IL (877) 822-9050
Styrofoam
- Check epspackaging.org for packing peanuts and loose fill
Glass
- Curbside recycling
- Will County Recycling has drop-off sites in Wilmington, Braidwood, Godley, and Beecher, but you need to be a Will County resident to use these
Electronics, Monitors, and Televisions
- The City of Kankakee and the Village of Bradley accept TVs and monitors
- Best Buy accepts up to 32-in TVs and computer monitors