Blue Cart Recycling
Use your blue recycling cart to deposit recyclable materials, including paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, tin, and aluminum. Material placed in the blue cart can be loose, and no sorting is needed. While you do not have to rinse containers before they are put in your blue cart, you could do so to avoid smells if you store your recycling in your home.
The Department will empty your blue cart 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 an alley garbage service, your blue cart will be emptied during the week of collection.
Blue Cart Recycling 2025 Pick-up Schedules are below.
CITY INTRODUCES FREE RECYCLE COACH APP CONNECTING CHICAGO RESIDENTS TO
HYPER-LOCAL WASTE AND RECYCLING INFORMATION
Chicago residents can access the Recycle Coach tool at chicagorecycles.org and input an address to receive customized waste and recycling information specific to where they live, including:
• Collection and event calendars
• Updates on service changes
• Comprehensive database on what is and isn’t recyclable, including local disposal information for common and uncommon items
• Additional educational content, including useful recycling tips and weekly recycling quizzes
Visit chicagorecycles.org to learn more about the Chicago’s waste and recycling services, including the newly launched Recycle Coach Web App.
Download the Recycle Coach app for free at the Apple App Store or Google Play.
To learn more about the IEPA and Recycle Coach partnership, click here.
Visit the City’s recycling web page: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdph/supp_info/Environment/hccrf.html
Visit the City’s Residential recycling web page: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/chicago-recycles/home/residential-recycling.html
Reduce Waste Chicago: https://reducewastechicago.org/
Visit the Cook County Government’s Center for Hard to Recycle Materials: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/CHaRMCenter?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Pharmaceuticals Drop-off Locations
Where can I recycle styrofoam in Chicago?
