Evanston, IL Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)
Key Facts
- Bag limit
- 30-gallon Kraft paper bag, 50 lb max
- Branch limit
- 4 inches diameter, 4 feet length
- Cart color
- Green-lidded roll-out cart
- Collection season
- 9.5 months per year
- Governing chapter
- Title 8, Chapter 4
Summary
Evanston lets residents compost via the City's food and yard waste program: Kraft paper bags up to 30 gallons or roll-out carts, with weight and branch-size limits set by City code.
Kraft paper bags used for yard waste shall have a maximum capacity of thirty (30) gallons and weigh no more than fifty (50) pounds when filled. Branches shall not exceed four (4) inches in diameter and/or four (4) feet in length. Branch and trimming bundles shall not exceed three (3) feet in diameter. No food scraps may be disposed of in a Kraft paper bag.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 21).
Full Breakdown
Evanston's Municipal Solid Waste chapter treats yard trimmings and food scraps as compostable material collected separately from trash. Residents can set out compostables in Kraft paper bags, max 30 gallons, 50 pounds, or in a City-sold roll-out cart with a green lid; branches must be under 4 inches in diameter and 4 feet long, bundled to no more than 3 feet across. Property owners are also encouraged to enroll in year-round private food-scrap collection; the code sets no separate standard for backyard compost piles.
Violations & Fines
Non-compliant receptacles or overweight bags can trigger a special-pickup charge; general Code violations carry a fine of $20 to $750 per day under Section 1-4-1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put grass clippings in a regular trash bag?
Does Evanston allow backyard compost piles?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evanston
Compare Evanston to another location·View the Illinois landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Composting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle composting.