5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Cook County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Trash and recycling collection in unincorporated Cook County is provided by private haulers contracted by residents or managed by local townships. The Cook County Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance (SWRO) governs waste management countywide.
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 ...
Trash and recycling bin placement in unincorporated Cook County follows private waste hauler guidelines. Bins should be placed curbside on collection day and retrieved promptly. Extended placement may trigger property maintenance enforcement.
Bulk item disposal in unincorporated Cook County is handled through private waste haulers. Large items may require special pickup arrangements. Illegal dumping is prosecuted under the Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance.
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...
The Cook County Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance establishes a framework to increase recycling rates. The county requires data reporting from waste facilities and promotes recycling through education and facility oversight.
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...
Illinois has no statewide mandatory commercial organics or food-scrap diversion law comparable to California SB 1383. The Illinois Food Scrap Composting Pilot (415 ILCS 20) authorizes voluntary programs. Cook County Solid Waste Plan encourages but does not require residential organics; suburban municipalities run optional curbside collection.
8 cities in Cook County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
6 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
See every category we cover for Cook County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Cook County Ordinance Hub →