Recycling Guidelines

Overview

Packaging and other materials have changed significantly over the past several years, which has impacted how residents recycle. For example, Elgin used to accept plastic bags in our recycling, but we learned the plastic bags were wrapping around the recycling equipment and shutting down plants. So we’re asking residents NOT to place their recyclables in plastic bags or put any loose bags in the recycling cart. Instead, take plastic bags to Jewel or Target to recycle, and empty your recyclables directly into your carts. Extra recyclables that don’t fit in your recycling cart should be placed loose in a second recycling container.

Want to recycle clothing, textiles, toys, or certain electronics? Click here.

Tips:

  • Do not put recyclable materials in plastic bags.
  • All recyclable materials should be rinsed free of food with caps/lids removed. Dispose of non-metal caps and lids in the trash.
  • Cardboard boxes must be flattened into 3 feet by 3 feet squares, and placed in the bin. Cardboard boxes placed outside of the bin must be flattened into 4 feet by 4 feet squares.
  • Use your blue bin for recyclables only. Recycling bins containing garbage will not be collected.


Remember, prepaid stickers are not required on properly prepared recyclables.

Dropdowns

Acceptable Items


Metal Items
  •  Aluminum cans, foil and formed containers
  • Steel or tin cans

Glass
  • Bottles
  • Clear, green and brown glass only
  • Jars

Paper Items
Large cardboard items must be flattened into pieces no larger than 3' x 3' square.

Examples of paper products that can be recycled include but are not limited to:

  • Magazines and catalogs (glossy and non-glossy)
  • Shredded paper (Place in brown paper bag)
  • Mixed paper (staples are okay)
  • Newspapers and inserts

Plastic Items
Make sure that the numbered recycling symbol usually found on the bottom of plastic containers matches those accepted in the City of Elgin's recycling program. Numbers Accepted: 1, 2, 4, 5

Example products include but are not limited to:

  • Soda bottles
  • Laundry detergent containers
  • Milk and water bottles
  • Shampoo Bottles
  • Deli containers

Unacceptable Items

Unacceptable curbside recyclable items include but are not limited to:

  • Plastic film like checkout plastic bags, plastic bags from dry cleaning or newspapers
  • Containers that once contained: motor oil, anti-freeze, pool chemicals, or hazardous waste
  • Scrap metal, hangers, plastic toys
  • Mirrors, window glass, Pyrex dishes or light bulbs
  • Polystyrene (i.e., Styrofoam) is not recyclable in the City of Elgin’s recycling program.

Electronics

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency electronic waste is the fastest-growing segment of the nation's garbage. Electronics such as computer monitors and TVs contain toxic materials such as lead, chromium, cadmium, mercury, beryllium, nickel, and zinc. When electronics containing these materials are not recycled or are disposed of improperly, these hazardous chemicals can contaminate ground water and present other environmental problems.

Properly dispose of electronics by using the At Your Door Service provided by the city or finding other options at Kane County Electronics Recycling.

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