Cook County, IL Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

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 and reduce the theft of metal and other valuable materials from public and private property. The ordinance supports recommendations from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's Sustainability Advisory Council and the County's Solid Waste Management Plan, which has set an aspirational goal of zero waste. [...] Among the benefits for Cook County residents from passage of the ordinance are: Collection of comprehensive data, which does not now exist, on the volume of waste, how much is being recycled and what materials are in the waste stream. [...] More frequent inspections of landfills, and waste transfer stations. [...] Monitoring of recycling facilities, such as junk yards, scrap collectors, compost facilities, and large industrial recycling facilities. [...] The ability to respond quickly to complaints of toxics spills, fly dumping, vermin, odors and other environmental issues and to enforce safety and health standards by prosecuting violations.