Lake County IL municipalities mandate single-stream curbside recycling of paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum/steel cans and plastics #1-#5 through SWALCO-coordinated programs. Contaminated bins may be rejected at the curb. Commercial and multi-family recycling required under Lake County Solid Waste Plan. Plastic bags, food waste and styrofoam are not accepted curbside.
Lake County recycling operates under the Illinois Solid Waste Planning and Recycling Act (415 ILCS 15), the Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act (415 ILCS 150), and the Lake County Solid Waste Management Plan administered by SWALCO. All major municipalities (Waukegan, Zion, Libertyville, Gurnee, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Vernon Hills, Mundelein) provide single-stream curbside recycling for paper, cardboard, glass bottles, aluminum and steel cans, and plastics marked #1 PET, #2 HDPE, and typically #3-#5. Plastics #6 (polystyrene) and #7 are generally not accepted. Plastic film and bags must be returned to grocery stores (banned from curbside to prevent MRF equipment jams). Food waste, yard waste, diapers and styrofoam are contaminants. Contaminated bins may be tagged and skipped by haulers. Multi-family buildings over a threshold unit count (varies by city, often 5+ units) must provide recycling service under the county plan. Commercial recycling is required for offices over certain square footage. Ravinia and Six Flags operate venue-specific recycling programs. Yard waste collection requires separate paper bags or stickered bins April-November; grass clippings, leaves and brush are banned from landfill under 415 ILCS 15.
Contaminated bins tagged and skipped; repeat contamination $25 to $150 fine. Landfilling banned yard waste: $100 to $500. Multi-family noncompliance: property owner $250 to $1,000 plus cure order.
Waukegan, IL
Barking dogs that create excessive noise fall under Waukegan's general noise ordinance and Chapter 4 animal control provisions. Complaints handled by Waukega...
Waukegan, IL
Construction, demolition, and repair noise is exempt from Waukegan's excessive noise ordinance between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Work outside those hours is subje...
Waukegan, IL
Waukegan Municipal Code Chapter 11, Article II regulates excessive noise citywide. Sound audible at 50 feet or more from the source is prohibited on public w...
Waukegan, IL
Waukegan enforces an alternate parking ordinance year-round: odd side on odd days, even side on even days, 12:01 AM to 11:59 AM. No all-night parking on stre...
Waukegan, IL
Commercial vehicle parking on Waukegan residential streets is restricted. The alternate parking ordinance and overnight ban apply to all vehicles including c...
Waukegan, IL
Driveway construction and modifications in Waukegan require permits from the Building & Code Department. Curb cut permits required for new driveways per Sect...
See how Waukegan's recycling requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.