Trash & Recycling in Cook County, IL (2026)

Cook County Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance (SWRO) — Board approval 2014

After months of collaboration and input from community and government organizations, the solid waste industry, and environmental advocacy groups, the Cook County Board Wednesday approved a Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance (SWRO) that will give the County significant new tools to protect the environment. The SWRO will grant Cook County the ability to increase recycling, prosecute fly-dumping ...

Cook County Code § 38-54(6), (9), (10)

(6) To use a garbage container or waste container that is not constructed from nonabsorbent, durable, metal or hard plastic material and that is not provided with a tight-fitting cover. The use of a plastic bag for the outside storage of garbage is prohibited, except when placed for regular scavenger pickup by a State of Illinois licensed waste hauler and only during the daylight hours of the d...

Cook County Solid Waste and Recycling Permitting — Reports & Permits

Solid Waste Technical Assistance for Municipalities — The Solid Waste Division will provide municipalities technical assistance in supporting their sustainability related initiatives. This includes, but is not limited to, reviewing and making recommendations to solid waste related contracts, supporting solid waste related contract negotiations, helping communities register for the IL EPA CERA P...

Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability - Recycling Guidelines

RECYCLING GUIDELINES. METAL: Steel & Aluminum Containers and Foil - Clean & Empty, Replace lids & caps. PAPER: Cardboard (flattened), Office Paper, Newspaper, Magazines. PLASTIC: Containers: Bottles, Tubs, Jugs, and Jars Only. CARTONS: May be acceptable in some programs, check with local authority. GLASS: Containers: Bottles & Jars Only. No Plastic Bags, No Product Wrap (return clean to retaile...

Cook County Code § 30-778

A person will be found to have engaged in a public nuisance that is injurious to public health and in violation of this Article...by:(1)Causing or allowing the open dumping of any waste;(2)Abandoning or disposing of any waste upon public property, except in a sanitary landfill approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency;...(4)Failure of any owner, occupant, agent, or person in poss...

Cook County Code § 30-385

(2)The open burning of landscape waste, but only:(i)On the premises on which such waste is generated;(ii)When atmospheric conditions will readily dissipate contaminants...(iv)In those areas of the County which are not in the following prohibited areas:(A)Municipalities in which open burning is prohibited;(B)Unincorporated areas 1,000 feet or less from a municipality in which open burning of lan...

Cook County Code § 38-54

(6)To use a garbage container or waste container that is not constructed from nonabsorbent, durable, metal or hard plastic material and that is not provided with a tight-fitting cover. ... (7)To use a garbage container or a waste container for the outside storage of garbage by a commercial establishment that is not placed on a paved, well-drained surface.

Cook County Code § 30-773

Demolition debris diversion shall be required for all demolition activities affecting any structure except garages, sheds, utilities, and projects that are not demolishing any load bearing walls. For any residential structures, the demolition permit holder is subject to a minimum five percent by weight reuse requirement, and a minimum total 70 percent by weight diversion requirement; and, ... F...