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Elgin, IL Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Refuse cart color: Grey, 64-gallon standard
Recycling cart color: Blue, 64-gallon standard
Recycling cart use: Solely for recyclables, no refuse
Non-served premises duty: Remove waste at least weekly
First offense fine: Not less than $50

Summary

Every Elgin single-family and multifamily curbside stop must sort solid waste into the city's grey refuse cart and blue recycling cart, and the blue cart is reserved solely for recyclables. City Code §§ 9.24.020 and 9.24.030 make curbside sorting mandatory, not optional, for every occupied stop receiving service.

A.No solid waste of any kind shall be deposited in any street, alley or public place for curbside collection service except as provided in this chapter.B.It shall be the duty of every owner, tenant, lessee or occupant residing at or otherwise occupying a single-family stop or multifamily stop to deposit all solid waste placed for curbside collection service as provided in this chapter. ... A.All solid waste shall be placed in the appropriate refuse cart or recycling cart in accordance with the following procedures:1.The grey colored refuse carts shall be used for the disposal of refuse and recyclables.2.The blue colored recycling carts shall be used solely for recyclables.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 7).

Full Breakdown

020(B) makes it 'the duty of every owner, tenant, lessee or occupant' of a single-family or multifamily stop to deposit solid waste only as the chapter provides. 010, recyclables include brown paper bags, corrugated boxes, magazines, newspaper, aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic containers numbered 1 through 5 and 7, and household batteries, among other listed materials. 010's definition. 020(C).

Violations & Fines

Failing to sort solid waste into the correct cart, or otherwise not complying with Chapter 9.24's curbside requirements, is punishable under § 9.24.130 by a fine of not less than $50.00 for a first offense, $250.00 for a second offense within one year, and $500.00 for a third or later offense in that period, with each day of violation a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I required to use a recycling cart in Elgin?

Yes. Section 9.24.030(A) requires all solid waste to be placed in the appropriate cart, and the blue recycling cart is designated to be 'used solely for recyclables.' Combined with § 9.24.020(B)'s duty on every occupant to deposit waste only as the chapter allows, sorting into the recycling cart is mandatory, not optional.

What materials count as recyclable under Elgin's code?

Section 9.24.010 lists brown paper bags, corrugated boxes, magazines and catalogs, newspaper, aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic containers and bottles numbered 1 through 5 and 7, plastic six- and twelve-pack rings, and household batteries, among other named recyclables accepted in the blue cart.

What size is Elgin's recycling cart?

The standard recycling cart is a blue, 64-gallon wheeled cart under § 9.24.010, though residents can request an optional 35-gallon size instead. The matching grey refuse cart comes in a 64-gallon standard, an optional 35-gallon, or a fee-based 96-gallon size for larger households that generate more trash.

Sources & Official References

[1]Elgin Municipal Code § 9.24.020 and § 9.24.030 (Municode)

Other rules in Elgin

Collection ScheduleSome Restrictions Bulk Item DisposalSome Restrictions Recycling RulesSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome Restrictions Bin Placement RulesSome Restrictions Yard Waste CollectionSome Restrictions Illegal DumpingHeavy Restrictions Dumpster RulesSome Restrictions Pickup Rules & SchedulesSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Barking DogsLight Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesHeavy Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer RulesHeavy Restrictions Animal Ordinances: MicrochippingSome Restrictions

All Elgin rules

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