DuPage County, IL Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- DuPage County Code § 8-126.1
- Triggers at
- New builds or 25%+ expansions
- Applies to
- Multi-family, commercial, industrial
- Capacity standard
- Weekly collection volume
- Area
- Unincorporated DuPage County only
Summary
New or expanded multi-family and commercial buildings in unincorporated DuPage County must set aside dedicated, marked space for recycling containers next to the trash containers, sized for weekly pickup.
All new or existing multi-family units or commercial/industrial facilities expanded beyond twenty-five percent (25%) of the present physical value shall provide space for the placement of separate and clearly marked refuse and recyclable materials containers located adjacent to one another and said shall be indicated on site plans. Recyclable materials containers shall provide sufficient capacity for the weekly collection of recyclable materials which may include, but are not limited to, glass, aluminum, tin, newspaper, cardboard, and plastics.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 14 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under Building Code Sec. 8-126.1, any new multi-family, commercial, or industrial project in unincorporated DuPage County, plus any existing one expanded beyond 25% of its current physical value, must show separate, clearly marked refuse and recyclable materials container space on its site plan, with the two placed adjacent to each other. The recycling containers have to hold enough volume for a full week's worth of material: glass, aluminum, tin, newspaper, cardboard, and plastics are named as the materials the space has to accommodate. This is a site-plan and building-permit condition, not a general household mandate, it does not apply within incorporated municipalities, which set their own recycling rules.
Violations & Fines
Site plans lacking the required recycling container space are rejected at permit review by the Building Official; noncompliant projects cannot obtain a building permit or final approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule require single-family homes to recycle?
Does DuPage County run its own curbside recycling program?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in DuPage County
Compare DuPage County to another location·View the Illinois trash & recycling overview
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