Recycling

Food Scraps and Organics

What Happens to My Food Scraps and Organics?

Yard waste and other organic materials such as vegetable food waste are collected curbside and taken to a state-licensed compost facility where they are processed into compost and mulches.

Why Recycle / Compost Food Scraps?

Composting organics reduces the amount of material that is landfilled and helps reduce greenhouse gas production. Compost and mulches are used to rebuild local soils, protect topsoil from erosion due to wind and rain, suppress weeds, conserve water and attract earthworms. The material you put in your bags and containers is used by organic farms, backyard gardeners, nurseries, landscapers, and public agencies.

  Food Scrap Composting Year-Round Program Instructions

If you have any questions regarding our food scraps and organics program, please contact us at 847-381-9300.

NEW!

FOOD SCRAP UNDER THE SINK CONTAINERS! We are now selling and providing this service year-round.

food-scrap-container-1a

Containers for Rent

Customers may rent organic disposal containers. Please contact us for details.

How to Recycle Organics:

  • Organics are collected each week on your regular collection day
  • To minimize odor, freeze food waste and place in container the night before your regular pick-up.
  • Place organics in your manure dumpster, yard waste container, or a paper bag.
  • Pumpkin composting - October thru November Weekdays 7 am - 5 pm and
    Saturdays 7 am - 3 pm, see attached.

What is ok?

  • Grass cuttings and weeds
  • Leaves and garden waste
  • Vegetative food waste
  • Sod
  • Used kitty litter
  • Tree trimmings less than 6" in diameter
  • Prunings and berry vines
  • Coffee grounds
  • Egg shells
  • Horse manure / Livestock waste

What is not ok?

  • Garbage
  • Glass of any kind
  • Metal of any kind
  • Plastic bags
  • Nursery pots or trays
  • Grease or oil
  • Soil, rocks, cement or brick
  • Cooking oils or sauces

Plastic, Metal, Paper, and Glass Recycling

Recycling is Great for the Environment

The fastest growing segment of our business is collecting recyclable materials. From food scraps and stable manure to yard waste and co-mingled household waste, we take pride in being good stewards of the environment by collecting these items for processing and reuse.

We ACCEPT the following items during curbside collection (items must be loose in recycle container. No plastic garbage bags):

Paper

  • Newspaper Magazines / Catalogs
  • Telephone Directories
  • Office / School Paper
  • Advertising / Junk Mail
  • Kraft Brown Paper Bags
  • Corrugated Cardboard
  • Paperboard / Chipboard (cereal boxes, clothing boxes, tissue boxes)

Plastic

  • Plastic Beverage and Food Containers
  • Milk, Water, Juice Bottles
  • Liquid Detergent, Fabric Softener, Bleach, Shampoo Bottles
  • Yogurt Cups
  • Vegetable Oil Bottles

Note: Plastic items must contain one of the following symbols:

Metal

  • Aluminum Cans
  • Aluminum Foil Trays
  • Steel and Tin Cans
  • Caps and Lids from Bottles, Jars and Steel and Tin Cans
  • Paint cans (must be empty)
  • Spray cans (must be empty)

Glass

  • Bottles and Jars Only
  • Brown, Green, and Clear Glass Only

Our recycling centers DO NOT ACCEPT the following items:

Paper

  • Paper Plates
  • Paper Towels and Napkins, Towels, Tissues
  • Paper Cups
  • Pizza Boxes
  • Wood
  • Yard Trimmings
  • Food Contaminated Paper
  • Photos or Blueprint Paper
  • Hardcover Books
  • Waxed Cardboard or Paper

Plastic

  • Plastics Containing Liquid or Food
  • Plastics Labeled as "Compostable" or "Biodegradeable"
  • Plastic Utensils
  • Styrofoam and Plastic Bags
  • Plastic Lined Cartons
  • Straws
  • Plastic Tops Smaller than 4" in Diameter
  • Plastic Hangers
  • PVC Pipe

Metal

  • Metals Containing Liquid or Food
  • Batteries
  • Needles
  • Electronics
  • Car Parts
  • Scrap Metal

Glass

  • Ceramic Dishware or Glassware
  • Glass Mirrors and Windows
  • Fluorescent LIght Bulbs
  • Incandescent Light Bulbs

Clothing Recycling

Clothes the Loop!

We are now accepting unwanted clothing and textiles (throw rugs and towels). Our drop-off site is located at 1350 N Old Rand Rd. Wauconda, IL 60084.

Packaging Specifications: Ensure all items are clean, dry and free of odors. Items that are stained or torn will be accepted. Hangers should be removed. Ensure all items are in sealed plastic bags. Due to processing limitations we cannot accept items of any kind that are wet, dirty, smelly, or severely damaged.

  Click Here for details

If you have any questions regarding our clothing recycling program, please contact us at 847-381-9300.

Servicing these areas:

  • Barrington
  • Barrington Hills
  • Cary
  • Crystal Lake
  • Fox River Grove
  • Harvard
  • Tower Lakes
  • McHenry
  • Richmond
  • Spring Grove
  • Wauconda
  • Woodstock
  • and other nearby areas...

Shoe Recycling

Recycling Athletic Shoes

We now collect and recycle unwearable athletic shoes at our Lake Barrington drop-off facility. And we collect other styles of used — but wearable — shoes and boots and donate them to charity. Our drop-off site is located at 1350 N Old Rand Rd. Wauconda, IL 60084.

If you have any questions regarding our clothing recycling program, please contact us at 847-381-9300.

Servicing these areas:

  • Barrington
  • Barrington Hills
  • Cary
  • Crystal Lake
  • Fox River Grove
  • Harvard
  • Tower Lakes
  • McHenry
  • Richmond
  • Spring Grove
  • Wauconda
  • Woodstock
  • and other nearby areas...

One Pass Trash and Recycle Operation