Overview

In areas of Chicago with the Blue Cart program, the Department of Streets and Sanitation picks up recyclables and yard waste separate from the garbage.

How it works: Recyclables
Those in a Blue Cart area are given a blue recycling cart to deposit recyclable materials including paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, tin and aluminum. Material placed in the blue cart can be loose or bagged and there is no sorting needed. While you do not have to rinse containers before they are put in your blue cart, you could opt to do so to avoid smells if you store your recycling in your home. Please make sure all items are emptied before being placed in the blue cart. Please flatten all boxes, like cereal boxes, to save space in your cart. Large cardboard boxes can be placed next to your cart.

Your blue cart will be emptied by the Department of Streets and Sanitation on an every other week schedule. If you have curbside garbage service, your blue cart will be emptied the same day as your garbage. If you have alley garbage service, your blue cart will be emptied during the week of collection.

Yard waste
If you are in a blue cart area, place your yard waste (grass clippings, leaves, weeds, etc.) in paper (preferred) or plastic bags and place it next to your carts. The yard waste will be picked up weekly by a separate truck. Yard waste will be transported to a composting facility. Through a composting process, this organic material decomposes into a nutrient rich soil additive that can be used as a natural fertilizer.

Garbage Service
There is no change in garbage service. While the Department of Streets and Sanitation tries to make recycling, yard waste and garbage pick up on the same day, this is not possible in all areas. Accordingly, please put your yard waste out at the start of the week for collection.

Pick-up schedule

• Garbage will continue to be picked up every week
• Blue carts will be picked up every other week
• Yard waste will be picked up every week, April through November.

Household hazardous waste and electronics For information on recycling those materials, click here

Learn more about Blue Cart

For more information on the program, please refer to the documents below.

The Blue Cart program was expanded to more than 84,000 households in 2007. In 2008, the program is being expanded to include an additional 92,000 homes, bringing the total number of residents with Blue Cart service to 176,000. The program will apply to residents of the selected neighborhoods who normally receive city garbage pick-up. In other words, those who live in a single family home or buildings of up to four units.

Areas without Blue Cart service
If you do not live in an area with Blue Cart service, you can still recycle. The City operates drop-off boxes in different communities throughout Chicago. For more on those and to find the location closest to you, click here.

Businesses who wish to have a separate collection recycling program can work with their private waste hauler to start a program.

Residents in a multi-unit building can take their materials to one of the drop boxes or work with their private waste hauler to start a separate collection recycling program. The City is working on a pilot program for multi-unit recycling and will have more information on best practices in the coming months.

Funding
The City of Chicago is assuming the cost of the program. Part of the cost is offset by a savings of disposal because the recycled material is not going to landfill. Additionally, some cost is off set because the sorting center that accepts the recyclables pays the City by weight for the material. Also, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is providing assistance in the form of a four year, $8 million grant to partially fund the purchase of the carts.