New recycling trucks have improved recycling service in Bartlett. Residents are supplied a 35- or 65-gallon recycling cart for unlimited weekly collection. Place carts four feet apart with the handles facing the house along with your other refuse. 

Recycling Preparation:

• All materials may be mixed together
• Paper may be placed in paper bags (optional)
• Do not “bag” other recyclables. Place them loose in the outside cart
• Leave caps on plastic bottles and jugs. Do not flatten or crush.
• Flatten cardboard boxes and place them inside your cart
• Remove any non-paper packing material (such as bubble wrap, plastic film, wax bags, etc.)
• Rinse items free of food and beverage residue
• Keep the lid on your recycling cart closed at all times to keep materials dry
• Again, please make sure all items are clean, loose, empty, and dry!

Groot Industries is now accepting paper cups in its recycling programs! 

Here is a current list of acceptable recyclables:

METAL

DO NOT recycle wire hangers; please return to your cleaners
DO NOT recycle mirrors, lightbulbs, window glass or ceramics in recycling container.
DO NOT include soiled paper fibers, such as oily pizza boxes, paper napkins, etc.
DO NOT recycle batteries
DO NOT include styrofoam, wood, plastic film, plastic bags, plastic toys or diapers in recycling containers.
DO NOT recycle electronics in your recycling cart. Groot offers unlimited electronic waste (e-waste) collection directly from your home; however, you must call in advance to schedule a pick-up and make arrangements, 847-429-7370.

YOU can help improve recycling in less than an hour! 

As you may have heard, residential recycling is more highly contaminated with non-recyclable garbage than ever before. Reports from sorting facilities range from 25% to 35% contamination in their recycling materials. This weighs down sorting facilities, reduces commodity prices, affects the re-manufacturing markets, and increases costs for local governments and ultimately residents.

The infographic below offers additional guidance for common items accepted in most recycling programs in Illinois or visit the Illinois EPA Interactive Curbside Bin Recycling Guide

Electronic Waste

Beginning in 2012, the disposal of computers, televisions, and other electronic devices was banned from Illinois landfills. The Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act prohibits any person from allowing or causing the mixing of any of the items listed below with municipal waste that is intended for disposal at a landfill.

Groot Industries accepts electronics for recycling in Bartlett as part of its waste hauler contract. Residents will not need a sticker for e-cycling, it is included in their monthly waste fee. However, they will need to notify Groot beforehand so the company can bring the appropriate vehicle for collection. Please call Groot at 847-429-7370.

All items collected will be recycled and rendered inoperable. Groot will pick up E-waste curbside. 

• Computers & monitors
• Video game consoles
• Electronic Mice
• Printers
• Scanners
• Televisions
• Digital converter boxes
• Electronic keyboards
• Cable receivers
• Fax machines
• Small scale servers
• Satellite receivers
• Video cassette recorders
• Digital video disc players
• Digital video disc recorders
• Portable digital music players

Electronics may also be dropped off at Registered Residential E-Waste Collection Sites. The Electronic Products and Recycling Act allows each registered collector to decide which of the covered electronic devices they choose to accept, so please call and inquire which devices they will or will not accept.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, electronics are complex devices, made with a wide variety of materials, such as lead, nickel, cadmium and mercury. These components could pose a risk to human health or the environment if mismanaged at their end of life.

Additionally, the U.S. EPA has found that recycling electronics recovers valuable materials, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions, pollution reduction, energy savings, and resources conserved by extracting fewer raw materials from the Earth.

Reduce, Re-Use & Recycle

Another way to recycle is to donate to local charitable groups. Goodwill takes donations of new and gently used household items, clothing and furniture to further its mission of providing work opportunities and training for people with disabilities and disadvantages. In addition, Goodwill helps extend the useful life of unused items, and keeps those items out of a landfill.  Think of your local Goodwill Store & Donation Center as another option for recycling.

Goodwill Industries of Metropolitan Chicago 
Bartlett Store & Donation Center 
1420 S. IL Route 59 
(630) 837-1410 
www.amazinggoodwill.com

Information from SCARCE

SCARCE stands for: School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education. Located at 800 S. Rohlwing Road (Rt. 53), Addison, IL, 630-545-9710. Visit www.scarceecoed.org for hours and other information.

The SCARCE mission is to "Inspire people, through education, to preserve & care for the Earth's natural resources, while working to build sustainable communities."

SCARCE recently put together the following DOs & DON'Ts guidelines for recycling in the greater Bartlett/Dupage area along with a Recycling Resource Fact Sheet and a list of recycling contaminants:

SCARCE Recycling Resources & Cooking Oil Collection Information
SCARCE Recycling Resources & Cooking Oil Collection Information - Spanish
Recycling Contamination List

Recycle DOs -- yes, put these items in your curbside recycling bin:
• Plastic containers
• Aluminum cans
• Steel or tin cans
• Glass food containers, lids are recyclable, but remove them from glass container
• Paper - including newspaper, envelopes, magazines, etc.
• Empty, dry paint cans with lids removed

DON'Ts --  these items do not belong in your curbside recycling bin:
• Garden hoses
• Plastic bags - drop off plastic bags at your local grocery store and most retail stores
• Paint cans still containing wet paint
• Hazardous Waste (Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 156 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville - the PW building, Drop-off hours: Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., excluding holidays)
• Scrap metal - including lawn chairs, metal hangers, fencing, etc. Save scrap metal for a spring Recycling Extravaganza or drop off at a scrap metal collection location
• Plastic toys, plastic bins, plastic hangers, plastic lawn furniture, etc.
• Yard waste - put all yard waste in yard waste collection bags or bins only
• Fluorescent light bulbs and CFL bulbs (most Home Depots accept these bulbs for proper disposal)
• Visit scarce.org for a complete list of recycling contamination items