Sofia Martinez
Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, with the United States being one of the largest contributors. Chicago, like many other cities, has implemented recycling programs to reduce its environmental footprint. The city's Blue Cart Recycling Program provides guidelines on what can and cannot be recycled. While plastic bags, containers, buckets, and bottles are accepted, certain items, such as plastic utensils, are notably excluded from the list of recyclables. This has led to initiatives by organizations like the Shedd Aquarium to encourage the reduction of single-use plastic consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic utensils recyclable in Chicago | No |
| Plastic bags recyclable in Chicago | No |
| Plastic wrap recyclable in Chicago | No |
| Plastic bottles recyclable in Chicago | Yes |
| Plastic jugs recyclable in Chicago | Yes |
| Plastic containers recyclable in Chicago | Yes |
| Plastic buckets recyclable in Chicago | Yes, up to five gallons |
| Plastic film recyclable in Chicago | Yes |
| Plastic bags recyclable at University of Illinois Chicago | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic utensils are not recyclable in Chicago
The City of Chicago's Blue Cart Recycling Program provides guidelines for what can and cannot be recycled. Plastic bottles, jugs, containers, and buckets up to five gallons are generally accepted, as long as they are empty and have their caps removed. Bathroom, laundry, and cleaning products may require the removal of pumps and nozzles, which may contain metal.
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) has a similar recycling program to the City of Chicago, with some differences. UIC accepts a wide range of materials, including paper, cardboard, metal, glass, and most plastic materials, in the hallway bins across campus. They also accept laboratory plastics, gloves, batteries, pens, markers, and plastic bags in select buildings. UIC separates paper and cardboard from other recyclables and generates revenue from these materials to fund its recycling program.
For those living in buildings with five or more units or outside the city, different guidelines may apply. It is always important to check with local authorities or waste management companies to understand the specific rules and regulations for your area.
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Recycling rules in Chicago
Chicago's recycling guidelines can be confusing, and it can be challenging to determine which plastic products can be recycled. The city has a Blue Cart Recycling program for residential properties with fewer than five units, and there are specific guidelines for what can and cannot be recycled through this program.
Plastic utensils, even biodegradable ones, are not accepted in the Blue Cart Program and Recycling Drop-off Centers. Other non-recyclable plastics include plastic bags, wrap, coffee pods, and plant pots. These items should be returned to nurseries for reuse or replaced with more sustainable alternatives. Single-use plastic bags, for example, can be replaced with reusable bags.
Plastics that can be recycled through the Blue Cart Program include water bottles, soft drink bottles, peanut butter jars (cleaned out), salad dressing bottles, cooking oil bottles, milk and juice jugs, and laundry detergent, bleach, and shampoo bottles. In general, all plastic bottles, jugs, containers, and buckets up to five gallons are recyclable if they are empty and have their caps on. For bathroom, laundry, and cleaning products, pumps and nozzles should be discarded as they may contain metal.
It's important to note that the presence of a "chasing arrow" emblem on a plastic container does not necessarily indicate that it is recyclable. Instead, the numbers inside the triangle formed by the arrows should be used to determine the type of plastic and whether it can be recycled. For example, the number "1" inside the triangle indicates that the plastic is Polyethylene Terephthalate ("PET" or "PETE"), which is commonly used for single-use beverage bottles and is recyclable.
To find more information on Chicago's recycling guidelines, residents can refer to resources such as the Recycle by City’s Chicago Recycling Guide and the city's website, which provides updates on the Blue Cart Recycling program and information on alternative outlets for non-accepted materials.
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What plastics are recyclable in Chicago
The City of Chicago's Blue Cart Program and Recycling Drop-off Centers accept plastic bottles and containers with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7. Number 1 plastic, or Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE), is commonly used for single-use beverage bottles and is widely recyclable.
In general, plastic bottles, jugs, containers, and buckets up to five gallons are accepted for recycling in Chicago, provided they are empty and have their caps on. For bathroom, laundry, and cleaning products, pumps and nozzles should be discarded as they may contain metal. Plastic wrap on water bottle packages, toilet paper, and paper towels is also recyclable. Soft plastic packaging, such as bread bags and water bottle packaging, can be recycled as well.
However, it is important to note that not all plastics are created equal, and the presence of a "chasing arrow" emblem on a plastic container does not necessarily indicate that it is recyclable. Instead, check for the tiny numbers inside the triangle formed by the arrows to determine the type of plastic and whether it can be recycled.
While plastic utensils are not accepted in Chicago's Blue Cart Program, plastic shopping bags can be brought to many grocery stores for recycling. Additionally, products made from LDPE, such as shrink wrap and shopping bags, can often be recycled at drop-off centers.
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How to recycle plastics in Chicago
The average person in the US generates 220 pounds of plastic waste each year, making the US the highest contributor to plastic waste globally. However, much of this plastic waste could be recycled.
In Chicago, the Blue Cart Program & Recycling Drop-off Centers accept glass jars and bottles, aluminum cans, foil and pie tins, tin or steel cans, cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers (# 1-5, 7 accepted), junk mail, magazines, telephone books, paper bags, office paper and file folders, newspaper and inserts, beverage cartons (milk, juice, soy cartons), beverage carrier stock: plastic rings and cardboard carrying cases, and wrapping paper (no bows or ribbons).
Plastic bags, plastic wrap, disposable plastic utensils, plastic plant pots, and coffee pods cannot be recycled using the Blue Cart program, but some of them (such as plastic bags, bubble wrap, and film wrap) can be recycled at grocery stores.
To determine whether an item can be recycled or not, look at the tiny numbers inside the triangle formed by the chasing arrows. The number and series of letters identify the type of plastic used in a product, and not all plastics are created equal. For example, products with the chasing arrows emblem should generally not be recycled, but items with the letters "PLA" near the symbol indicate a compostable plastic.
- Do recycle: Water bottles, soft drink bottles, peanut butter jars (cleaned out), bottles for salad dressing, cooking oil, and other related products, milk and juice jugs, laundry detergent, bleach, and shampoo (in most cases).
- Don’t recycle: Plastic bags or wrap, disposable plastic utensils (even the biodegradable ones), plastic plant pots, coffee pods.
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University of Illinois Chicago's recycling program
The University of Illinois Chicago has a robust recycling program as part of its commitment to sustainability and zero waste. The university's recycling efforts are guided by the Illinois Solid Waste Management Act (2014) and Illinois Law, which mandates recycling to keep waste out of landfills and provide recycled materials to manufacturers.
UIC's recycling program covers a range of materials, with some specific guidelines for different types of waste. Plastic film, for example, cannot be placed in the Bottles and Cans bins around campus but can be recycled at local grocery stores or big-box retailers. UIC also participates in the Terracycle Brigade, collecting and recycling used writing utensils since 2011. In 2014, the university sent over 32 pounds of used writing instruments to be recycled into products like plastic storage bins.
Electronic waste is also addressed by the university's recycling program. UIC accepts donations of working laboratory materials, including glass flasks, beakers, plastic pipettes, and centrifuge tubes. The LabShare program also takes equipment without university property tags. Additionally, the university provides instructions for properly recycling electronic products in accordance with the Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act and the OBFS Equipment Disposal Methods.
The university encourages the purchase of fewer disposable materials and more sustainable products. When choosing materials for use on campus, UIC considers their compatibility with the recycling program and their recycled content, benefiting the economy and the environment. UIC also has partnerships with companies like the Gordon Flesch Company (GFC) and Canon/Sharp to recycle printer cartridges.
Overall, the University of Illinois Chicago's recycling program is comprehensive and follows best practices to ensure proper waste management and promote sustainability. Through its efforts, UIC is contributing to a more sustainable future and reducing its environmental impact.
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Frequently asked questions
No, disposable plastic utensils cannot be recycled in Chicago, even if they are biodegradable.
Plastic bags or wrap, coffee pods, and plastic plant pots are not accepted by Chicago's recycling program.
Plastic bottles, jugs, containers, and buckets up to five gallons are accepted.
