Recycling in the 47th Ward


Blue Cart Recycling Program

The 47th Ward offers Blue Cart Recycling for residents who receive city garbage service. The blue carts are collected separately every other week on the same day as garbage service.

The following items can be put in the blue carts:

Glass jars and bottles
Aluminum can, foil, and pie tins
Tin or steel cans
Cereal boxes, paper towels rolls, etc.
Cardboard (please flatten all boxes)
Plastic bottles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7)
Junk mail
Magazines and catalogs
Telephone books
Paper bags
Office paper and file folders
Newspaper and inserts

Please empty all containers, but rinsing is not necessary. Also, all recyclables can be mixed together loose or bagged.

If you have curbside service or keep your blue bin behind a locked gate, please place the bin out one day prior to your schedule collection to ensure that the bins are included.

For more information, please visit www.bluecartschicago.org.

Yard Waste

Yard waste will be collected separately every week (April through November). Please place bagged yard waste next to the blue carts.

Multi Unit Building Recycling

By City Ordinance, multi unit buildings are required to provide a recycling program for to their residents. The following PDF's provide more information on this issue.

icon Guide_to_Multi_Unit_Building_Recycling.pdf (795 KB)

icon Multi_Unit_Building_Recycling_Ordinance.pdf (69 KB)

icon Recycling_Plan_for_Multi_Unit_Buildings.pdf (55 KB)

Blue Bag Recycling

Alderman Schulter encourages residents who live in multi-unit buildings that do not receive city garbage service to contact their private garbage pick up service vendors regarding blue bag recycling options. Blue bags can also be dropped off at one of the fifteen recycling drop-off centers. The nearest center is at 6441 N. Ravenswood Ave.


Household Chemicals and Computers

Please bring your household chemicals, paints, used motor oils, and computers to the City of Chicago's new facility located at 1150 N. North Branch.

Batteries

Please drop off your used and rechargeable batteries to our office at 4237 N. Lincoln Ave. for safe disposal and recycling.

Small Electronics

Small electronics, such as mobile phones, PDA's, and mp3 payers can be recycles by using the United States Post Office's "Mail Back" programs.  As a part of the program, residents are encouraged to mail their old small electronics to be recyled or remanufactured.  Postage is prepaid by the Clover Technologies Group.  Before remanufaturing, Clover Technologies Group does sweep all data--however, residents are encouraged to deactivate service and clear all personal data. 

"Mail Back" bags are available in USPS lobbies throughout the Chicagoland area and the 47th Ward Public Service Office.