Chicago Trash & Recycling Guide 2025

Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) provides waste collection services to approximately 600,000 households across the city. Understanding your trash and recycling schedule, proper blue cart usage, and specialized disposal services can help you stay compliant with city regulations and keep Chicago clean.

This comprehensive resident guide covers everything Chicago residents need to know about trash collection, blue cart recycling, bulky item pickup, hazardous waste disposal, and electronics recycling in 2025.

Finding Your Chicago Trash & Recycling Schedule

How to Find Your Collection Schedule

Every Chicago address has specific collection days for:

• Garbage (trash) - Weekly collection, Monday through Friday
• Blue Cart Recycling - Every other week collection (bi-weekly)

How to Find Your Schedule:

🔗 Official Tool: Recycle by City - Chicago Schedule

Enter your address to see:

• Your specific garbage collection day
• Your blue cart recycling collection weeks
• Holiday schedule changes
• Reminder setup for collection days

Alternative Methods:

• Call 311 and provide your address
• Download the Recycle Coach app for reminders
• Check with your alderman's office

Typical Collection Pattern

Garbage Collection:

• Weekly pickup - Same day every week (Monday-Friday)
• Serviced: Single-family homes and buildings with 4 units or less
• Set out garbage after 6:00 PM the night before or by 7:00 AM on collection day
• Place in alleys or designated collection points

Blue Cart Recycling:

• Every other week - Alternating weeks from your neighbors
• Follow same time rules as garbage (after 6 PM night before)
• All recyclables must be loose in the blue cart (NO BAGS)

Who DSS Serves

Covered by DSS:

• Single-family homes
• 2-4 unit apartment buildings
• Some small multi-unit buildings

NOT Covered by DSS:

• Buildings with 5+ units (private hauler required)
• Commercial businesses (private hauler contracts)
• Construction sites (roll-off dumpster rental)

Chicago Holiday Collection Schedule

DSS does not collect on the following holidays:

No Collection Days (2025):

• Thanksgiving Day (November 27, 2025)
• Christmas Day (December 25, 2025)

What to Do on Holidays:

• If your normal collection day is a holiday, set out waste the next day
• Collection resumes normal schedule after holiday
• Check chicago.gov/sanitation for holiday updates

Note: Unlike some cities, Chicago only suspends collection on Thanksgiving and Christmas - all other holidays have normal collection.

Chicago Blue Cart Recycling Program

What Goes in the Blue Cart

Chicago's single-stream recycling program accepts a wide range of materials - all items must be placed LOOSE in the blue cart (no plastic bags).

✅ ACCEPTED in Blue Cart:

Paper & Cardboard:

• Newspapers, magazines, catalogs
• Office paper, junk mail, envelopes
• Cardboard boxes (flattened)
• Paperboard (cereal boxes, shoe boxes)
• Paper bags

Plastic:

• Bottles and jugs (all numbers #1-7)
• Milk and juice jugs
• Detergent and shampoo bottles
• Food containers (clean and dry)

Metal:

• Aluminum cans
• Tin and steel cans
• Empty aerosol cans
• Aluminum foil and trays (clean)

Glass:

• Bottles and jars (all colors)
• Food jars (rinsed)
• Beverage bottles

Cartons:

• Milk and juice cartons
• Broth and soup cartons
• Aseptic packaging

❌ NOT Accepted in Blue Cart

DO NOT Put These in Blue Cart:

• Plastic bags and film (return to grocery stores)
• Styrofoam/polystyrene
• Food waste or food-contaminated items
• Diapers and hygiene products
• Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords, chains)
• Clothing and textiles
• Electronics
• Batteries
• Hazardous materials
• Ceramics, mirrors, window glass
• Medical sharps

Important: Plastic bags jam the sorting equipment at recycling facilities. Never bag your recyclables - place items LOOSE in the blue cart.

Blue Cart Tips

Best Practices:

• Rinse containers to remove food residue
• Flatten cardboard boxes to save space
• Leave caps and lids on bottles
• Don't overfill - lid should close completely
• Keep cart 3 feet from cars, poles, other carts

Bulky Item Pickup in Chicago

How to Request Bulky Item Collection

Chicago no longer provides scheduled bulk pickup routes. Instead, residents must request pickup on an as-needed basis.

How to Request:

• Call 311 - Request bulky item pickup for your address
• Provide description of items
• Service request will be scheduled (typically within 5-7 business days)
• Place items at curb/alley on scheduled day

What Qualifies as Bulky Items:

• Furniture (couches, chairs, tables, mattresses)
• Appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers)
• Large metal items
• Carpets and rugs
• Exercise equipment

Limits:

• Reasonable household quantities
• Items must fit in collection truck
• Excessive amounts may require private hauler

Items NOT Accepted for Bulky Pickup

❌ TVs and computer equipment - Use electronics recycling program instead ❌ Tires - Take to tire retailers or recycling centers ❌ Construction debris - Requires private dumpster rental ❌ Hazardous materials - Use HCCRF facility (see below) ❌ Yard waste - Separate yard waste program

Appliance Disposal Requirements

Refrigerators, Freezers, AC Units:

• Freon removal required before DSS collection
• Schedule through 311 - they will arrange Freon removal
• Small fee may apply for Freon recovery service

Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility (HCCRF)

Chicago operates a permanent drop-off facility for household hazardous waste and electronics at 1150 N. Branch Street.

HCCRF Hours & Access

Open:

• Tuesdays: 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM (noon)
• Thursdays: 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
• First Saturday of Every Month: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Who Can Use:

• All Chicago residents (proof of residency may be required)
• Residential waste only - NO commercial/business waste

Accepted Household Hazardous Waste

✅ Accepted at HCCRF:

• Oil-based paints, stains, varnishes
• Paint thinners and solvents
• Household cleaners (drain, oven, etc.)
• Pesticides, herbicides, insecticides
• Automotive fluids (motor oil, antifreeze)
• Pool and spa chemicals
• Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs
• Mercury thermometers
• Batteries (all types)

❌ NOT Accepted:

• Latex/water-based paint (let dry and put in regular trash)
• Business or commercial waste
• Explosives, ammunition, fireworks
• Medical waste, sharps
• Radioactive materials
• Pressurized cylinders (propane tanks)

Accepted Electronics at HCCRF

✅ Accepted Electronics:

• Computers (desktops, laptops, tablets)
• Computer monitors and TVs
• Cell phones and smartphones
• Printers, fax machines, scanners
• Keyboards, mice, cables
• Video game consoles
• DVD/Blu-ray players, VCRs
• Cable/satellite receivers
• Digital music players
• Small-scale servers

Data Security: Consider wiping data from devices before drop-off.

Chicago Electronics Recycling Events

In addition to the permanent HCCRF facility, Chicago hosts seasonal electronics recycling events throughout the city.

Event Schedule

When: April 1 through December 30 annually

Where: Rotating locations across all Chicago wards

How to Find Events:

• Check recyclebycity.com/chicago
• Call 311 for upcoming events near you
• Subscribe to alderman newsletters for local event announcements

What's Accepted: Same electronics as HCCRF (TVs, computers, monitors, printers, phones, etc.)

Cost: FREE for Chicago residents

What NOT to Put in Chicago Trash

Putting prohibited items in regular trash can result in fines and contamination issues.

❌ NEVER Put These in Regular Trash:

Batteries (All Types):

• Lithium, alkaline, rechargeable, car batteries
• Drop at HCCRF or retail collection sites (Home Depot, Best Buy)

Electronics:

• Covered by Illinois e-waste ban
• Use HCCRF or seasonal recycling events

Paint & Chemicals:

• Oil-based paints and solvents
• Use HCCRF for proper disposal

Hazardous Materials:

• Pesticides, automotive fluids, pool chemicals
• HCCRF drop-off only

Medical Sharps:

• Needles, syringes, lancets
• Use sharps containers and drop at pharmacies
• Some hospitals/clinics offer sharps disposal

Yard Waste (in some areas):

• Chicago has separate yard waste collection in some neighborhoods
• Check with 311 if yard waste is collected separately in your area
• Can also be composted at home

Chicago Waste Disposal Quick Reference

| Item Type | How to Dispose | Notes | |-----------|---------------|-------| | Regular Trash | Weekly curbside | Same day every week (M-F) | | Blue Cart Recycling | Every other week | Loose items only, NO BAGS | | Bulky Items | Call 311 to request | Furniture, appliances, large items | | Appliances w/ Freon | Call 311 (Freon removal) | Refrigerators, freezers, AC units | | Electronics | HCCRF or seasonal events | TVs, computers, phones, printers | | Hazardous Waste | HCCRF facility | Paint, chemicals, cleaners | | Batteries | HCCRF or retail drop-off | All types accepted | | Fluorescent Bulbs | HCCRF facility | CFLs and fluorescent tubes | | Medical Sharps | Pharmacy drop boxes | In sealed sharps container | | Yard Waste | Separate program (some areas) | Call 311 to verify if available |

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I find my Chicago trash and recycling schedule?

Use the official Recycle by City Chicago schedule tool or call 311. Enter your address to see your specific garbage day (weekly) and blue cart recycling weeks (every other week).

2. Can I put my recyclables in plastic bags in the blue cart?

No. All recyclables must be placed LOOSE in the blue cart. Plastic bags jam sorting equipment at recycling facilities. Return plastic bags to grocery stores for recycling instead.

3. How do I schedule bulky item pickup in Chicago?

Call 311 and request bulky item pickup. Provide your address and description of items. DSS will schedule pickup (typically 5-7 business days). Note: TVs and computer equipment are NOT accepted - use electronics recycling program instead.

4. Where can I dispose of electronics in Chicago?

Drop off electronics at the Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility (HCCRF) at 1150 N. Branch Street (Tuesdays, Thursdays, first Saturday of month) or attend one of the seasonal electronics recycling events held April-December citywide.

5. What household hazardous waste does Chicago accept?

The HCCRF accepts oil-based paints, solvents, cleaners, pesticides, automotive fluids, pool chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, and batteries. NOT accepted: Latex paint (let dry and trash), business waste, explosives, or medical waste.

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Official Chicago Waste Disposal Resources

🗑️ Department of Streets and Sanitation: chicago.gov/sanitation

📅 Trash & Recycling Schedule: recyclebycity.com/chicago/schedule

♻️ Blue Cart Recycling Info: chicago.gov/residential-recycling

🏭 HCCRF Facility: chicago.gov/hccrf | 1150 N. Branch Street

💻 Electronics Recycling Events: recyclebycity.com/chicago

☎️ 311: Call for collection schedule, bulky pickup requests, or any waste disposal questions

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About This Guide: This Chicago resident waste guide is updated for 2025 based on current DSS policies and City of Chicago regulations. Policies may change - always verify current information on official chicago.gov websites.

Last Updated: January 2025 Sources: Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, chicago.gov official resources, Recycle by City Chicago, HCCRF facility information.