Lake County, IL Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum recycling pickup
- Once every two weeks
- Fine
- Up to $500 per day
- 2nd violation penalty
- 14-day license suspension
- 3rd violation (12 mo.)
- 1-year license revocation
- Applies to
- All licensed haulers countywide
Summary
Lake County requires every licensed hauler to collect recyclables from single-family homes at least every two weeks, as part of basic residential waste service.
Each hauler operating within the county shall be required to offer, either as part of basic service or alternately as an additional service, the collection of recyclable materials from any multifamily home, commercial business or institutional facility within the county and shall be required to provide the collection of recyclable materials, as part of basic service, from any single-family home, at least once every two weeks.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 26-0618, passed 6-9-2026 | State legislation current through ILCS Pamphlet 2025 #5).
Full Breakdown
Under County Code Section 50.02(A), any hauler operating in Lake County must include recyclable-material collection as part of basic service for single-family homes, picking up at least once every two weeks. Haulers must offer recycling to multifamily, commercial and institutional customers too, provide recycling instructions to customers at least every other year, and give a written offer to non-recycling commercial businesses at least once every two years. Collected recyclables cannot go to a landfill or incinerator unless the hauler first makes reasonable efforts to sell the material to a processor or end user.
Violations & Fines
Violating Section 50.02 or 50.03 carries a fine of up to $500 per day. A hauler's second violation triggers a 14-day license suspension; a third violation within 12 months means the county revokes the hauler's license for a full year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must my hauler pick up recycling in Lake County?
What happens if a hauler skips required recycling pickups?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Illinois trash & recycling overview
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