Berwyn, IL Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Who is covered
- Buildings with more than four residential units outside city alley service
- Minimum pickups
- No less than one per week
- Capacity formula
- 7, 8 or 9 gallons per unit by bedroom count
- Hauler reports
- Quarterly, due within 15 days after quarter ends
- Change of hauler
- Owner notifies city in writing within 30 days
- Maximum fine
- $2,000 per violation under § 202.99(A)
Summary
In the City of Berwyn, Illinois, every multi-family property with more than four units must run an on-site recycling program with at least one pickup per week, sized by a gallons-per-unit formula. Berwyn Code of Ordinances § 1060.13 also sets quarterly hauler reporting and license consequences.
(a) All multi-family properties, as defined above, shall be required to institute an on-site recycling program, with collection of recyclable materials to be no less than one pickup per week. (b) The program shall be instituted on a multi-family property by July 1, 1995. ... (g) The minimum gallon amount of recycling container capacity (total weekly base recycling container capacity) that an owner shall provide weekly for each structure shall be based on the following formula: (7 gallons x number of studio and 1-bedroom units) + (8 gallons x number of 2-bedroom units) + (9 gallons x number of 3-bedroom or more units) = total base weekly recycling container capacity
Full Breakdown
Section 1060.13 of the Berwyn Code of Ordinances, adopted as Ord. 95-14 on April 11, 1995, covers buildings the city alley service does not reach. A multi-family structure is a building with more than four residential living units that is not included in the city alley refuse, recyclables and landscape waste collection service. Under division (B)(1), all multi-family properties must institute an on-site recycling program with collection of recyclable materials no less than one pickup per week, and the program had to start by July 1, 1995.
Owners can contract with a private scavenger duly licensed by the city and are billed directly by that scavenger. The formula in (B)(2)(g) sets minimum total weekly base recycling container capacity per structure: 7 gallons times the number of studio and 1-bedroom units, plus 8 gallons times the number of 2-bedroom units, plus 9 gallons times the number of units with 3 bedrooms or more. A building with 10 one-bedroom units, 10 two-bedroom units and 5 three-bedroom units needs 70 plus 80 plus 45, or 195 gallons a week, and can meet it with fewer, larger pickups such as half the capacity twice a week.
Recyclables must be source-separated with separate containers and vehicles, collection areas must be in common areas, and the owner keeps them clean, sanitary and litter-free and must run a resident education campaign. Under division (C), private scavengers must file quarterly reports within 15 days after each quarter closes, and owners must notify the city in writing within 30 days after changing scavengers.
Violations & Fines
Division (C)(1)(c) says failure to provide the required collection services results in denial of receiving, renewing or maintaining a scavenger license, and division (C)(2)(h) makes a missing quarterly report grounds for revoking the business license or franchise agreement. Owners fall under § 1060.99 and the general penalty in § 202.99: a fine of not more than $2,000 per violation, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Berwyn buildings must run their own recycling program?
How much recycling capacity must an apartment building provide?
Who supplies the recycling containers and hauls the material?
What must the owner tell the city?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Berwyn
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Recycling Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle recycling rules.