Lake County Solid Waste Management District

06/01/2026

The Lake County Solid Waste Management District (“District”) has an immediate opening for a full-time Environmental Education Instructor. Under general supervision, this position manages, plans, teaches, and monitors all educational and operational activities related to the District’s Environmental Education Programs. This position involves educating students and the general public. A bachelor’s degree in teaching is required.

The position offers benefits including PERF under the Indiana Public Retirement System. It can be combined with TRF. It has a starting salary of $50,000 commensurate with experience. A detailed job description is available on the District’s website (www.lcswmd.com/employment)

To apply, please email a completed employment application, cover letter, and resume with three (3) references to Kiera Hagerman, Executive Director, at [email protected]. This position will remain open until filled. The start date is negotiable, but no later than August 3, 2026.

The Lake County Solid Waste Management District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic identification (including family medical history), age, familial status, national origin, disability, political affiliation, veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by law.

05/29/2026

♻️ The Gary Household Hazardous Waste Collection is TOMORROW!

📅 Saturday, May 30
⏰ 9 AM – 2 PM
📍 Hudson Campbell Center
455 Massachusetts St., Gary, IN

🎨 A quick reminder if you’re bringing paint: latex paint is NOT accepted at HHW collections. Most paint sold today is latex paint, so please check the label before coming. If the can says latex, acrylic, water-based, or soap and water cleanup, it cannot be accepted.

✅ Oil-based paint IS accepted.

🔗 More information:
https://www.lcswmd.com/service/hhw/

05/28/2026

We are proud to introduce the Bag of Bags campaign!

We all know the feeling. You run into the store for a few things, and suddenly you're walking out with a handful of plastic bags you didn't need or want. It happens to almost everyone, and it adds up fast.

That's why we're launching the Bag of Bags campaign, a community-wide effort built around one simple habit: keep a bag of reusable bags with you wherever you shop. Every store, all the time!

Plastic bags are made from fossil fuels, take up to 1,000 years to degrade, and 87% are never recycled. They disrupt local recycling systems and are contributing to a growing microplastic problem that researchers are only beginning to fully understand.

The good news? One small habit can make a real difference. That's why we're committed to spreading awareness throughout Lake County.

Community involvement is key to making this habit a part of our everyday lives. We'd love to bring this campaign to your workplace, school, neighborhood event, or local business.

Reach out to us. We'd love to come to you!

Visit our website for a full overview of what this campaign is all about, and be sure to share it with your own communities!

There's a surprisingly easy way to reduce plastic bag waste in Lake County...

05/26/2026

♻️ Next Household Hazardous Waste Collection – Gary

Our next HHW collection takes place this Saturday in Gary:

📅 Saturday, May 30
⏰ 9 AM – 2 PM
📍 Hudson Campbell Center
455 Massachusetts St., Gary, IN

🎨 A quick reminder about paint: roughly 95% of paint sold today is latex paint, which is water-based and NOT accepted at Household Hazardous Waste collections.

✅ We do accept oil-based paint
🚫 We cannot accept latex paint

Before heading to the event, please check the label on your paint cans for terms like latex, acrylic, water-based, or soap and water cleanup. Checking ahead helps save you a wasted trip and keeps the car lines moving smoothly for everyone.

🔗 Learn more about accepted items and upcoming collections at:
https://www.lcswmd.com/service/hhw/

05/25/2026

Our office will be closed today in observance of Memorial Day, and will re-open tomorrow at 8am.

05/21/2026

🎨 Before bringing paint to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection, please take a moment to check the label.

Most paint sold today is latex paint, which is water-based and not considered hazardous waste — meaning we cannot accept it at HHW events. Only oil-based paint is accepted at our collections!

Look on your paint labels for words like:
✅ Latex
✅ Acrylic
✅ Water-based
✅ Soap and water cleanup

If you see any of those terms, it’s latex paint.

We continue to see many residents bring latex paint to HHW collections, and unfortunately we have to turn them away. Checking your labels ahead of time helps reduce congestion in the car lines and keeps the collections running smoothly for everyone. Thank you for helping us keep these events focused on hazardous waste! ♻️

05/12/2026

♻️ Hobart HHW Collection is TOMORROW

Our next Household Hazardous Waste Collection takes place tomorrow with a special Wednesday afternoon/evening schedule!

📅 Wednesday, May 13
⏰ 3 PM – 7 PM
📍 Hobart Public Works
340 S. Shelby St., Hobart, IN

🗂️ On-site paper shredding will be available at this event.

🎨 Important reminder: Latex paint is NOT accepted at HHW events.
Most household paint sold today is latex paint, which is water-based and not considered hazardous. Before attending, check your paint can label for terms like latex, acrylic, water-based, or soap and water cleanup — these all indicate latex paint and unfortunately cannot be accepted at these collections.

✅ Oil-based paints ARE accepted.

🔗 Learn more about accepted items and upcoming events at:
https://www.lcswmd.com/service/hhw/

05/07/2026

♻️ Next HHW Collection – Hobart

Our next Household Hazardous Waste Collection is coming up next week — and this one has a special Wednesday afternoon/evening schedule!

📅 Wednesday, May 13
⏰ 3 PM – 7 PM
📍 Hobart Public Works
340 S. Shelby St., Hobart, IN

🗂️ On-site paper shredding will be available at this event.

🎨 Please note: Latex paint is NOT accepted at HHW events.
Most household paint sold today is latex paint, which is water-based and not considered hazardous. Before attending, check your paint can label for terms like latex, acrylic, water-based, or soap and water cleanup — these all indicate latex paint and unfortunately cannot be accepted at these collections.

✅ Oil-based paints ARE accepted.

🔗 Learn more about accepted items and upcoming events at:
https://www.lcswmd.com/service/hhw/

05/01/2026

Big news! We are pleased to welcome the Lake County Historical Society and Museum, Indiana's Oldest continuous historical society, to our Merrillville building at 8695 Broadway.

Starting May 1, LCHS will call our building home as they work toward reopening their museum this fall. We can't wait!

The Lake County Historical Society (LCHS) and the Lake County Solid Waste Management District (LCSWMD) are pleased to announce our new partnership. Through our partnership, we can complement and collaborate on our education programs to benefit all of Lake County. The partnership includes LCHS leasing the front suite of LCSWMD's location at 8695 Broadway in Merrillville for office and museum space. The process of moving and reorganizing our collection to this space will take time, but we hope to open the museum and celebrate the wrap-up of LCHS' 150th anniversary this Fall. Further details will be provided as we navigate our relocation.

04/28/2026

🎨 Bringing paint to our next HHW collection? STOP and check the label first!

The #1 reason residents get turned away at our Household Hazardous Waste events is latex paint — and we don't want that to happen to you!

Here's what you need to know:
✅ Oil-based paint → YES, we accept it! It's hazardous and we'll handle it properly.
❌ Latex paint → NOT accepted. It's not considered hazardous waste.

Not sure which you have? Check the label — chances are it's latex, since most household paint is.

The good news? Latex paint is easy to dispose of at home! Just mix it with kitty litter until it dries out completely, then toss it in your regular trash. Simple, safe, and free!

Help us keep lines moving and ensure everyone gets the help they need — check your paint BEFORE you come. 💚