Alderman Waguespack has been actively working to bring the Blue Cart Recycling Program to all residents of the 32nd Ward.  A petition started by the 32nd Ward office in 2007 now contains over 2,000 signatures from residents calling on the Department of Street and Sanitation to bring recycling to the entire ward.  In 2008, blue cart recycling service was provided to residents north of Diversey Ave. and in summer 2009, service was extended to those north of North Ave.  Alderman Waguespack continues to urge the Department of Streets and Sanitation to bring the Blue Cart Recycling Program to the remainder of the ward in 2010.  If you are a resident of the 32nd Ward who has city pickup, but does not receive recycling collection, please let us know if you would like to be added to the petition.

For more information regarding blue cart recycling, visit the Department of Streets and Sanitation website.

Overview of the Blue Cart Recycling Program

• The Blue Cart Recycling Program is a sort recycle program.  Rather than the previous system of blue bags being tossed into the same garbage truck with the rest of the trash, recyclables are picked up by a separate truck every other week, on the same day as your usual garbage pickup.
• Residents who receive regular garbage pickup are eligible to receive blue carts.  This normally includes single family homes up to buildings with four units.
• If you live in a building that does not have city pickup, the building management is required to provide a recycling system per city ordinance.  Click here for more information.
• Deposit recyclable materials in your blue cart.  Paper, glass, and plastic can all be deposited in to the same cart.  They will be sorted later at the recycling center.  You do not need to bag the items.
• Yard waste, picked up from April through November, should be placed in a separate bag next to your garbage carts.  The bagged yard waste will be collected by a separate yard waste collection truck weekly.  Do not place yard waste in blue or black carts.  This service includes those without blue cart collection as well.
• Place all remaining garbage in the black garbage carts.  Garbage will continue to be picked-up once a week.
• The recyclables collected from the blue carts will be delivered to a recycling center and ultimately turned into new products.  The yard waste will be collected and turned into composting materials commonly used as an alternative to chemical fertilizers for soils.

Blue carts are picked up every other week.  Click here to see what week your collection is.

Get Involved in Recycling

Take an active role in the blue cart recycling program and become a Recycling Block Captain.  A Recycling Block Club Captain can:

• Answer your neighbors questions about the new program.
• Alert your neighbors as to when their recycling week is.
• Get neighbors involved in the program.
• Provide the City with feedback about the program.
• Spread the word on future recycling events and service changes.

To enroll, contact the 32nd Ward office or complete an on-line form at the Department of Streets and Sanitation website.