Chicago Going “Back to Basics” to Revive its Recycling Rate
Letters are being sent to residents and a town hall in March hosted by Streets and Sanitation.
Chicago’s struggles with recycling have been well documented. It’s recycling rate has dropped below 10 percent.
In December, Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation launched a pilot program, a "blue cart buddy" bag at 5,000 households, designed to encourage recycling of items from the kitchens.
In November, new data showed the city’s recycling rate had dropped below 10 percent.
The city has also tried to do what it can to encourage recycling at multifamily units within the city. A proposal under consideration includes fines that range from $1,000 for the first offense and up to $5,000 for a third offense within a year.
The latest initiative the city is undertaking is a “back to basics” campaign in the city’s 7th Ward. Letters are being sent to residents and a town hall in March hosted by Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Charles Williams, Waste Management officials and the local ward superintendent will stress what needs to happen to boost the rate.
The Chicago Sun Times has more: