City of Lake Forest, IL

Rethink Recycling with Bart the Cart!The City has initiated a campaign funded by the Lake Forest Garden Club to reduce local recycling contamination.  Called "Rethink Recycling", it features a new animated character named Bart the Cart who provides smart recycling guidelines.  The focus of Rethink Recycling is on what belongs - and doesn't belong - in your recycling carts.  In addition to achieving environmental benefits, by producing cleaner recycling materials, the City hopes to reduce recycling waste from the current 25% to 10%, thereby reducing the City's recycling process costs by 25% per ton, which equates to an annual savings of up to $50,000. 

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Recycling Collection FrequencyOnce weekly on one of the two scheduled refuse collection days.
Please call (847) 615-4264 to inquire as to which is your recycling collection day.

Recycling ContainersResidents are required to use the City-issued wheeled recycling carts for collection.  Residents have been provided with either a 35-gallon or 65-gallon cart.

Due to the City’s new efficient, automated pick-up, existing bins can no longer be used for recycling, unless you are located on a private driveway.  Residents are welcome to keep the bins to use for other purposes or can have old bin(s) recycled by placing them next to the new recycling cart on the collection with a note attached stating, “please remove.”

Collection LocationThe 65-gallon recycling carts provided by the City must be placed at the curb and be ready for collection no later than 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled day. The cart should be removed from the curb by the end of the collection day. All recyclables may be placed together in the cart; there is no need to separate. Extra recyclable material may be placed in cardboard boxes next to the cart at the curb.

• Park It:  Place your recycling cart within 2 feet of the curb or road edge
• Point It:  Place your recycling cart with the handle and wheels facing the house
• Give it Space:  Place your recycling cart at an arm’s length (3 feet with clearance on all sides) from obstructions such as light poles, mailboxes or parked vehicles

Items AcceptedClick here to view a complete list of Accepted Recyclable Materials. 

Plastic Bag RecyclingThe City now offers a plastic bag recycling option for residents.  In addition to the local Jewel-Osco drop off, you can drop off your collection of used single-use plastic bags at the Compost & Recycling Center on Route 60.  The following bag types are accepted at these locations:

• Plastic shopping bags
• Newspaper sleeves
• Plastic wrap packaging
• Bread bags
• Shrink wrap
• Dry cleaning bags
• Plastic pouches

For more information click the link to view the Plastic Bag Recycling Flyer.