Cook County, IL Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Diversion required
- 70% of debris by weight
- Residential reuse minimum
- 5% by weight
- Plan filing
- before demolition permit work starts
- Report deadline
- 45 days after permit expires
- Records retention
- 3 years after demolition
Summary
Cook County requires demolition permit holders countywide, outside Chicago, to divert at least 70% of debris by weight from landfills through recycling or reuse, filing a diversion plan before work starts and a report afterward.
Demolition debris diversion shall be required for all demolition activities affecting any structure except garages, sheds, utilities, and projects that are not demolishing any load bearing walls. For any residential structures, the demolition permit holder is subject to a minimum five percent by weight reuse requirement, and a minimum total 70 percent by weight diversion requirement; and, ... For any nonresidential structures, the demolition permit holder is subject to a 70-percent by weight recycling requirement, and reuse is encouraged whenever possible.
Full Breakdown
Under the County's Demolition Debris Diversion Ordinance, anyone demolishing a load-bearing wall (garages, sheds and utility work are exempt) must hit a 70% by-weight diversion rate for construction and demolition debris. Residential demolition permit holders must also reuse at least 5% by weight; nonresidential permit holders must recycle 70% and are encouraged to reuse. A Demolition Debris Diversion Plan is due to the Department of Environment and Sustainability before work begins, a Diversion Report is due within 45 days of permit expiration, and weight tickets or receipts must be kept for three years.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 30-131(b) sets fines of $300 to $10,000 for violations of this chapter not separately listed in its penalty table; Sec. 30-131(c) treats each day a violation continues as a separate offense, enforced by the Department of Environment and Sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside Chicago?
Which demolitions are exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cook County
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