Home / Environment / Chicago's Recycling: 30 Years of Struggles
Chicago's Recycling: 30 Years of Struggles
23 Jan
Summary
- Chicago's recycling rate is about 10%, far below West Coast cities.
- The city began its recycling program in December 1995 with a flawed Blue Bag system.
- New initiatives aim to rebuild public trust and improve recycling performance.
Chicago's citywide recycling program, initiated in December 1995, is now 30 years old. The program's inception with the "Blue Bag" system was problematic, contributing to a historical lack of public trust. Consequently, Chicago's waste diversion rate currently stands at approximately 10%.
This rate significantly trails behind cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, which divert around 80% of their waste. New York City's diversion rate is around 20%. The city is actively working to enhance its performance and encourage greater participation.
To address the low diversion rate, the Streets and Sanitation Department is implementing a public awareness campaign, launching a new website and app, and collaborating with surrounding suburbs. These efforts aim to rebuild trust and inform residents about the ease and importance of recycling.
Recycling nationwide offers substantial benefits, including job creation, resource conservation, and a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Officials emphasize that recycling is a simple yet impactful action individuals can take to contribute to environmental protection.
