Waste Reduction and Recycling
low-level alert: Center for Hard to Recycle Materials - CHaRM Center
Updated Cook County Solid Waste Management Plan
In July 2024, the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) updated its solid waste management plan. To view the approved “Cook County Solid Waste Management Plan 2024-2029: The Path Toward Zero Waste and A Circular Economy,” click the link below:
Cook County Solid Waste Management Plan 2024-2029
Overview: The Illinois Solid Waste Planning and Recycling Act (415 ILCS 15/) requires counties to develop an initial solid waste management plan and subsequent plan updates “that place substantial emphasis on recycling and other alternatives to landfills, to encourage municipal recycling and source reduction, and to promote composting of yard waste.”
The updated “Cook County Solid Waste Management Plan 2024-2029: The Path Toward Zero Waste and A Circular Economy” plan recommends actions to reduce the climate impact of solid waste and provides direction for Cook County’s waste prevention, reduction, reassembly, remanufacturing, reuse, repair, repurpose, recycling, composting, collection and other solid waste related investments, policies and practices over the next five years. The updated plan sets forth 43 recommendations for 16 major areas of focus that will help move the zero waste and circular economy systems in Cook County forward.
The recommendations are based on the data presented in the updated plan and the feedback received from members of the Cook County Solid Waste Advisory Committee, local and state partners, environmental advocacy organizations and members of the public. The recommendations represent programs and efforts the County can reasonably implement over the next five years that will help push the County towards achieving its new goal of 45% waste diversion rate by 2030.
Check out our new Story Map on where your waste and recycling go from the curb!
Suburban Cook County encompasses 133 municipalities, as well as unincorporated areas, with a combined population of approximately 2.5 million. Residents, businesses and public facilities in suburban Cook County generate approximately three million tons of waste annually. Residential recycling and diversion rates for suburban Cook County municipalities can be found here.
Increasingly, fewer and larger private sector companies are providing waste collection, recycling and disposal services and facilities. The role of county and local governments, in relation to waste management, has shifted from the provision of services and facilities to matters relating to policy formulation, public education and information. Recycling and source reduction programs have been broadly accepted by the public and have significantly reduced the quantity of waste needing disposal. Improved performance is possible, but each additional increment will be more difficult and more costly to achieve.
As more recycling programs are established and more materials are recovered, additional uses and markets must be secured for products and materials with recyclable content.