Recycling FAQs

  • Where are the rules about what I can put in my recycling can?

    Elgin has a guide that gives a summary of what’s acceptable: keep it to bottles, cans, and paper.

  • Can I put plastic bags in my recycling bin?

    NO. NO NO NO. NO. NO.

  • What if I have extra stuff to recycle and it won’t fit in my bin?

    You can take it to a Kane County drop-off location, there are several, and some take things like electronics, but there are rules for each, so read the fine print.

  • This all seems like an awful system. Isn’t there a better way?

    Yeah, we’re not doing great with recycling, especially plastics, but, if you stay involved and get engaged, you can do something about it, like advocating for better recycling services in our city.

  • What about plastic film? What can I do with that?

    There are places that specialize in plastic film recycling. This one even has a nice guide for whether or not something IS recyclable. Isn’t that helpful?

  • What about other items like building materials or clothes?

    You can access several programs to dispose of/recycle those items. There’s a handy list here, but you should also check out Simple Recycling, a program the Elgin Sustainability Commission has supported and provides at-your-door pickup service for textiles and small household goods.

  • What if I still have questions? What about deli containers or packaging from my Amazon delivery that has the recycling triangles on it?

    Waste Management (WM) has an “in-depth guide” here.