Recycling Centers in Chicago, IL
Find drop-off recycling locations in Chicago, Illinois. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
⭐ Top 5 Recycling Centers in Chicago
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Residents of Chicago, Illinois can use this directory to locate nearby recycling drop-off locations. Whether you have household recyclables or specialty items like electronics or batteries, the facilities listed here can help you dispose of materials responsibly.
Recycling in Chicago: A Local Guide
Chicago has 12 recycling centers in this directory, from large scrap-metal processors to transfer stations and a municipal household-chemicals and computer facility. Curbside recycling in the city is the Blue Cart program, run by the Chicago Department of Streets & Sanitation: single-family homes and buildings with four or fewer units get a blue cart collected every other week, and the program is bagless. Collection is split between DSS crews and private hauler LRS across the city's zones, and residents can look up their pickup day with the city's online schedule finder. For options across the state, browse the full Illinois recycling directory.
The centers here lean toward industrial recycling and specialized drop-offs. The Dept of Streets & Sanitation listing is the public program office covering cardboard, paper, glass and scrap metal. For metal, Sims Metal and Windy City Iron & Metal are established buyers, and the Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility takes hard-to-handle items like paints, solvents and old computers that do not belong in the blue cart. Accepted items, fees and hours vary, so check each center's page.
If a Chicago center does not fit, other Illinois cities in this directory may help. Downstate, Springfield and Bloomington each list 14 centers, and Peoria adds 13. Closer clusters include Decatur and the university towns of Urbana. You can also return to the statewide Illinois hub to search by city.
All Recycling Centers in Chicago
Recycling Centers in Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Chicago
How does Chicago's Blue Cart recycling work?
The Blue Cart program, run by the Chicago Department of Streets & Sanitation, gives single-family homes and buildings with four or fewer units a blue cart collected every other week. It is bagless, and collection is handled by DSS and private hauler LRS depending on your zone. For drop-off alternatives, see the full list of Chicago recycling centers.
Where do I take household chemicals and old computers in Chicago?
The Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility accepts materials that cannot go in the blue cart, such as paints, solvents, and old computers and electronics. Confirm current hours and the accepted-items list before you visit.
Where can I sell or drop off scrap metal in Chicago?
Chicago has major scrap-metal operations, including Sims Metal, Sims Metal Midwest and Windy City Iron & Metal. Accepted grades and pricing vary by yard, so call ahead for current rates and any ID requirements.
What can I put in my Chicago blue cart?
Blue Cart accepts common household recyclables such as paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, metal cans and plastics, placed loose in the cart rather than in bags. Items like household chemicals, electronics and scrap metal go to specialized sites instead; see the other Chicago recycling centers. Confirm the current accepted list with Streets & Sanitation.