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Chicago Recycles

The City's residential Blue Cart program provides bi-weekly recycling services to single-family homes and multi-unit buildings with four or fewer units.  Blue Carts are serviced by the Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) along with the City’s recycling contractor. Check out the new story map to see the journey of your recyclables from the point of pick-up! You’ll see where the recyclables go to be sorted, the tonnage of recyclables collected, and the destinations for processing into new materials.

 

 

To see a full-screen version of the storymap click here.

 



One of the goals of Chicago’s Climate Action Plan is to increase resident awareness on recycling and sustainability through targeted and equitable education for Chicagoans. When residents commit to daily recycling, it brings the following BENEFITS to our city and our world.

 

Chicago Recycles

 



 

 

When you grab that cup of coffee or a drink with takeout, please know those paper cups are now recyclable in Chicago! And recycling helps ensure reuse of materials, which assists with the fight against climate change. Working together we can make a difference! 





Through the 2021 City of Chicago Waste Strategy, a comprehensive waste and materials management plan, DSS is working to decrease waste disposal and associated negative environmental impacts; reduce costs and increase efficiency; maximize economic investment and workforce development opportunities; and address social and environmental justice inequities. Check out our Chicago Waste Progress Update and stay tuned to this site for new programs and opportunities!


 Recycle by City logo

 

 

For more information on residential recycling, please also visit Recycle by City, the City’s recycling education partner.