Garbage, Recycling, and Composting
Garbage and Recycling Collection
All residential properties with four or fewer units are eligible for garbage and recycling collection through the City of Chicago. Black garbage carts are picked up weekly. Blue recycling carts are collected every other week, and it may not be on the same day as your garbage collection. To find your garbage and recycling schedule, please see the link below.​​​
Special Holiday Collections
When a City holiday falls on a weekday, it may affect the garbage and recycling collection schedule. During holiday weeks, the Department of Streets and Sanitation recommends residents ensure all carts are accessible throughout the week of collection, not solely on their normal collection day, to ensure their carts can be collected.
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In the 39th Ward, we have no regularly scheduled garbage collections on Mondays, so when holidays fall on Mondays, garbage collection is not usually affected.
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Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more updates.
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New/Replacement Carts
If you need an additional garbage cart or your cart is broken in any way, you can request a new new cart free of charge. If you are requesting a replacement cart, please take note of the cart number of the broken cart when placing your request. You can request these carts through CHI311 or by calling our office at 773.736.5594.
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To request a garbage cart for a new or recently rehabbed dwelling that does not currently have any carts and has not been receiving service, please call our office or 311.
Bulk Pickup
If you receive city garbage collection, the Department of Streets and Sanitation may be able to pick up furniture and other large items that may not fit in your garbage carts. Please call our office at 773.736.5594 to request a bulk pickup so our Ward Superintendent can arrange for collection.​​
Composting
The City of Chicago has launched a citywide Food Scrap Drop-off Program, and all Chicago residents are welcome to drop off their household food scraps for composting at one of the 20 locations across the City for free.
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The 39th Ward is proud to be home to two of these locations: the Streets and Sanitation Ward Yard at 4605 W. Lawrence Ave. and the Edgebrook Branch Chicago Public Library at 5331 W. Devon Ave.
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To learn more and sign up for the program, please see the link below.
The Department of Streets and Sanitation, in partnership with the Chicago Park District, offers the annual Holiday Tree Recycling Program at 27 locations throughout Chicago each January. Each year, thousands of trees are mulched, creating mulch that is free for city residents.
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Live and natural trees can be dropped off inside corrals at each location. Please remove ornaments, lights, tinsel, tree stands, other decorations, and bags used for transport before placing the tree in the corral.
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The 39th Ward's Holiday Tree Recycling site is at North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd. Exact dates will be announced in December.
The Chicago Department of Public Health protects residents from exposure to hazardous materials and pollutants by collecting certain materials and creating guidelines for the disposal of others.
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For information on how to dispose of household chemicals, electronics, pharmaceuticals, compact fluorescent light bulbs, latex paint, and construction and demolition debris, please see the link below.