Skip to main content

Off-Campus Recycling Resources

City of Evanston

The City of Evanston collects recycling for single-family homes and multifamily properties with four units or fewer. The City provides the recycling containers for these properties and collects the materials. Residents living in these types of properties can call 311 to report a missed pickup or request replacement containers.

Groot Industries is the City’s contracted hauler for multifamily buildings with four or more units, including large apartment buildings, and all businesses in Evanston. Building owners and managers work with Groot to set up their service. As part of the contract with the City and Groot, each property receives one 95-gallon recycling cart free of charge. Building owners can arrange for additional recycling services at their discretion. Not all properties have the same level of service for recycling, so students should inquire about recycling availability, bin location, and collection frequency prior to signing a lease. The City can provide guides or signs to support recycling efforts at any residential property in Evanston. Residents can request these materials by calling 311.

Evanston also offers residents options for recycling batteries, fluorescent lamps, medications, and more.

City of Chicago

The City of Chicago offers blue cart recycling for single-family homes and multifamily properties with four units or less. Residents living in these types of properties can call 311 to report a missed pickup or to obtain recycling carts.

Owners of multifamily buildings must use a private waste hauler to pick up trash and recycling. Under the City’s recycling ordinance, building owners and managers are required to provide residents with an effective recycling program.

The City also offers recycling drop off locations and provides recycling options for household chemicals, electronic waste, batteries, fluorescent lightbulbs, and more.

Visit the City’s recycling page for details.

Additional resources

  • Resource Center Chicago is Chicago’s largest non-profit recycler, operating drop-off sites and providing private collection services throughout the city.
  • Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) offers recycling tips and helpful information on how to reuse & recycle items, from batteries to furniture and everything in between.
  • Each Home Depot store accepts fluorescent lamps for proper disposal.
  • The Northwestern e-waste recycling program is available to students, faculty, and staff. Items collected include computers, printers, and cell phones.
  • Collective Resource composting service has reduced rates for Evanston residents.
  • The Recyclery picks up unwanted bikes to refurbish and sell back to the community.