Berwyn, IL Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Composting in Berwyn is governed by § 1060.11 of the Berwyn Code of Ordinances, part of Chapter 1060 on garbage, refuse and recycling. The section allows composting, but only inside a defined bin and only with defined materials.

Materials come first. Grass trimmings, wood waste, leaves, weeds and other garden refuse can go into a compost pile, provided they are placed so the material will not be wind blown. A second list is tightly limited: shrubbery, vines, fruits, vegetables, egg shells, coffee grounds, houseplant materials and cut flowers are allowed only in an institutional compost pile that is part of a governmental or school sponsored source reduction educational project. In practice a household pile is limited to yard material, and kitchen scraps stay out.

The bin standards in § 1060.11(B) are numeric. All compost piles must be enclosed in a freestanding compost bin. Each bin can be no larger than 125 cubic feet in volume and no taller than five feet. For scale, a bin five feet long, five feet wide and five feet tall is exactly 125 cubic feet. No more than three bins are allowed on any lot, which caps a Berwyn lot at 375 cubic feet of bin volume. Section 1060.01 defines a compost bin as an enclosure constructed of concrete blocks, brick, wood, woven wire or durable plastic which surrounds a compost pile, so an open heap on the ground does not qualify.

Maintenance duties apply every day. Bins and piles must be maintained to prevent the attraction or harborage of rodents and to prevent unpleasant odors. All composting must follow any process found acceptable by the Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources, as the ordinance is worded. The Director of Public Works supervises waste matters under Chapter 1060 (§ 1060.02), and § 1060.10 separately covers the weekly city collection of landscape waste for residents who do not compost.