Recycling Requirements: Bolingbrook vs Joliet
How do recycling requirements rules compare between Bolingbrook, IL and Joliet, IL?
Bolingbrook and Joliet have similar restriction levels.
Bolingbrook, IL
Will County
Will County municipalities mandate curbside single-stream recycling for paper, cardboard, glass, metal cans, and plastics #1, #2, and #5 under the Illinois Solid Waste Planning and Recycling Act (415 ILCS 15). Contaminated bins are tagged and skipped. Will County aims for 40% diversion consistent with the county solid waste plan.
View full Bolingbrook rules →Joliet, IL
Will County
The City of Joliet provides single-stream recycling through its contract with Waste Management. Residents receive a recycling cart for curbside collection on the same day as garbage pickup. Accepted recyclables include paper, cardboard, plastics #1-5 and #7, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and steel/tin cans. Recycling must be placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on collection day.
View full Joliet rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Bolingbrook | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| State Act | 415 ILCS 15 | - |
| Accepted Plastics | Numbers 1, 2, and 5 | - |
| Not Accepted | Bags, film, tanglers, batteries | Plastic bags, Styrofoam, food waste, electronics |
| County Plan Goal | 40%+ diversion | - |
| Multi-Family | Must provide recycling | - |
| Governing Code | - | Joliet Municipal Code Chapter 14 |
| Collection Type | - | Single-stream curbside recycling |
| Provider | - | Waste Management |
| Accepted Items | - | Paper, cardboard, plastics #1-5 & #7, glass, aluminum, steel cans |
| Curbside Deadline | - | 7:00 AM on collection day |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Bolingbrook FAQ
Can I recycle plastic bags with my curbside recycling?
No. Plastic bags tangle MRF equipment and contaminate loads. Return them to grocery store drop-off bins (Jewel-Osco, Walmart, Target).
Are lithium-ion batteries recyclable at the curb?
No. Never place batteries in curbside bins; they cause truck and MRF fires. Use Will County HHW events or Home Depot/Best Buy drop-off programs.
Joliet FAQ
What can I recycle in Joliet?
Joliet's single-stream program accepts mixed paper, cardboard, plastics #1-5 and #7, glass bottles and jars, aluminum cans, and steel/tin cans. Plastic bags, Styrofoam, and food waste are not accepted.
When is recycling picked up in Joliet?
Recycling is collected on the same day as garbage. Carts must be at the curb by 7:00 AM on your designated collection day.
Do I need to sort my recycling in Joliet?
No. Joliet uses single-stream recycling, so all accepted materials can be placed in one cart without sorting.
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