… Step 1: Review
City of Chicago
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Multi-Unit Residential Recycling Plan and
Waste Generation and Recyclable Collection Worksheet
PART A: Multi-Unit Residential Recycling Plan
Instructions
Whether you are just starting or are trying to improve a recycling program in your building, it always helps to have a plan.
The Recycling Plan will help your building evaluate your current program and comply with the Chicago High Density
Residential and Commercial Source Reduction and Recycling Ordinance (Chapter 11-5 of the Chicago Municipal Code).
This ordinance requires each multi-unit building in Chicago to have an effective recycling program. Your building’s
recycling program must include the following:
1.
2.
3.
Separate at least three recyclable materials (such as newspaper, glass and plastic) from the trash and contract a
waste hauler to pick up and recycle the materials. In special cases, a waste service can collect only two materials
if the building also implements two source reduction measures, such as using energy saving light bulbs and
reusing supplies.
Maintain a written recycling plan detailing its program.
Implement an educational program that lets all residents know how to participate in the building’s recycling
program including what can be recycled, how to prepare it and where to take it.
By completing this Recycling Plan, you will be on your way to complying with the ordinance. To help with preparation, the
Recycling Plan is a form that information can be typed directly into. The information you need to complete the Recycling
Plan includes:
 Name of waste and recycling hauler(s)
 Type of recycling conducted in the building: Determine if your recycling method is a source-separated recycling
method, like single-stream (all recyclable materials are commingled in one container) or more than one stream
(Recyclable materials are separated into different containers. For example, one container for glass and plastic
and one for paper.)
 Condo Refuse Rebate Forms
 Location of recycling containers and recyclable materials accepted by recycling hauler
 Source reduction methods used in building: The Recycling Plan offers source reduction options for the building
management office and residents.
 Attachments to the Recycling Plan:
 Any educational materials your building has provided to residents (Attachment A)
 A brief description written annually of any updates or changes to the building’s recycling program
(Attachment B)
 If your building includes a recycling requirement in its lease agreements or condo by-laws/declarations,
include a copy (Attachment C)
 Include any additional information such as correspondence with haulers or the City of Chicago
(Attachment D)
After completion of the Recycling Plan, keep a copy of the Plan on file. The Recycling Plan must be available for review in
the event of an inspection by the City of Chicago, Department of Environment.
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Multi-Unit Residential Recycling Toolkit – Version 2.0
Copyright 2009, City of Chicago
… Step 1: Review
City of Chicago
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Multi-Unit Residential Recycling Plan and
Waste Generation and Recyclable Collection Worksheet
Definitions

Condo Refuse Rebate: Pursuant to Section 7-28-250 of the Chicago Municipal Code, all condominium
associations, cooperative apartment building and townhouses who are not eligible to receive the City of Chicago
refuse collection services can apply for the Condo Refuse Rebate; however, a building must offer recycling to its
residents in order to qualify. For more information and all required forms for this program, go to
http://www.committeeonfinance.org/condo/. The association will receive a maximum of $75.00 per residential
unit or the total amount of the refuse bills for the period you are filing, whichever is the lesser amount.

Recyclable materials: The list of acceptable recyclable materials includes corrugated cardboard, mixed
residential paper, magazines and catalogs, newspaper, metal containers (such as aluminum, steel and bi-metal),
glass containers, plastic containers, fluorescent bulbs, and high intensity discharge lamps. These are materials
that can be recycled.

Recycle or Recycling: Any process by which materials that otherwise would become municipal waste are
collected, separated, or processed and returned to the economic mainstream as raw material for new, reused or
reconstituted products but does not include the recover of material for fuel in combustion or energy production
processes. For example, taking an item that has been used, such as an aluminum can, and instead of sending it to
the landfill, sending it to a processing plant to be remanufactured into a new product.

Reuse: Reuse is using an object or material again, either for its original purpose or for a similar purpose, without
significantly altering the physical form of the object or material. Reuse is not recycling because recycling alters
the physical form of an object or material. Reuse is generally preferred to recycling because reuse generally
consumes less energy and resources than recycling. Reuse prevents objects and materials from becoming waste.

Single stream recycling: Single stream recycling, a type of source-separated recycling, allows residents to place
all their recyclables into a single container separate from their trash. These recyclables include items such as
newspaper, office paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, glass jars and bottles, and steel and aluminum cans. With
this type of single stream recycling, there is no sorting of different types of recyclables into separate bins.

Source reduction: Any activity that reduces the amount or toxicity of waste being generated. It includes the
reuse of a product in its original form or use of repairable, refillable or durable products that results in a longer
useful life.

Source-separated recycling: Any process that separates solid waste before the point of collection and keeps
recyclable material separated from other solid waste until it can be returned to the economic mainstream as raw
material for new, reused or reconstituted products which meet quality standards of the market place. In other
words, recyclable materials are collected, stored and transported separately from the trash.
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Multi-Unit Residential Recycling Toolkit – Version 2.0
Copyright 2009, City of Chicago
… Step 1: Review
Multi-Unit Residential Recycling Plan and
Waste Generation and Recyclable Collection Worksheet
City of Chicago
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Multi-Unit Residential Recycling Plan
Property Name: __________________________________________
Property Address:
__________________________________________
Number of units in building:
__________________________________________
Recycling Program Point of Contact No. 1 and Title: __________________________________________
Phone Number: __________________________________________
Email Address: __________________________________________
Recycling Program Point of Contact No. 2 and Title: __________________________________________
Phone Number: __________________________________________
Email Address: __________________________________________
Waste Service Provider: __________________________________________
Recycling Service Provider: __________________________________________
Does the building provide source-separated recycling to residents?
Yes
No*, provide other method of recycling used: __________________________________________
*If a building does not implement source-separated recycling, it must demonstrate an undue economic, safety or space hardship by
conducting a source separation feasibility analysis and include a copy of the analysis with this plan. See Section 11-5-021(e) of the
Chicago Municipal Code for more information.
Does the building apply for the Condo Refuse Rebate?
Yes
No
Please provide information on the building’s recycling program:
1) Location of Recycling Receptacle Collection (check all that apply):
Chute Room
Alley
Common Area
Mail Room
Other
2) Which approved recyclable materials are recycled at your building? (Check all that apply)
Note: At least three materials are required to be recycled. In special cases, only two materials can be recycled if two source
reduction methods are also implemented in the building.
Newspapers
Mixed Residential Paper (such as junk mail)
Plastic Containers
Metal Containers
High intensity discharge lamps
Magazines and Catalogs
Glass Containers
Corrugated Cardboard
Fluorescent Bulbs
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Multi-Unit Residential Recycling Toolkit – Version 2.0
Copyright 2009, City of Chicago
… Step 1: Review
City of Chicago
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Multi-Unit Residential Recycling Plan and
Waste Generation and Recyclable Collection Worksheet
3) Identify any source reduction methods implemented in the building
Note: Source reduction methods, although encouraged, are only required if only two recyclable materials (listed in question 2)
are being recycled. If this is the case, at least two must be implemented.
A)
If applicable, identify source reduction methods in the building and building management office (Check all
that apply):
Use renewable, refillable, or returnable containers
Switch to wipeable or reusable signage
Use long-lasting, energy-efficient light bulbs and fixtures
Compost yard waste
Reuse laser printer and toner cartridges
Use mulching lawn mower
Reduce packaging in purchases
Implement double-sided copying
Donate surplus office materials
Other
B) Identify source reduction methods implemented for residents (Check all that apply):
Provide long-lasting, energy-efficient light bulbs and fixtures for units
Provide residents with educational materials on nontoxic or less wasteful products
Provide opportunities for residents to donate clothing and/or other reusable items to charity
Provide reusable bags
Install reusable furnace and air conditioning filters in units
Other __________________________________________
List of Attachments (These documents should be maintained in the building files, as necessary):
 Attachment A: Education Program Requirements
Flyers provided to new residents and at least annually to all residents which summarize the building’s recycling plan,
why it’s important to recycle and contact information for questions
Posters displayed in common areas or provided to residents identifying recyclable materials and collection point
locations
Written notices to all residents of any changes in the recycling plan within 10 days of any change
Other signs as appropriate, please list __________________________________________
Multi-lingual material available? If yes, language __________________________________________
 Attachment B: Annual Recycling Program Updates
 Attachment C: Copy of Lease Agreement or Condo By-Laws that include resident recycling requirement
 Attachment D: Copy of contracts with waste and recycling hauler(s), semi-annual waste hauler quality reports and
any reports of contamination
4
Multi-Unit Residential Recycling Toolkit – Version 2.0
Copyright 2009, City of Chicago
… Step 1: Review
City of Chicago
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Multi-Unit Residential Recycling Plan and
Waste Generation and Recyclable Collection Worksheet
PART B: Waste Generation and Recyclable Collection Worksheet
Starting or improving a recycling program in your building may reduce your total waste collection costs. Waste haulers
typically charge based on the size of your container (typically in cubic yards), not how much trash is actually picked up.
Therefore, if you can reduce the trash container size, number of containers or collection frequency by recycling more of
your waste, you may save money on your waste collection. The key is diverting as much material from your trash to
recycling, as well as reducing the amount of trash and recyclables your building generates in the first place.
You can use this worksheet to help you decide when you should reduce container size or the frequency of pickup to
reduce your total waste collection costs. After completion of this Worksheet, keep a copy of it with your Recycling Plan so
that your building’s entire recycling program is documented.
Information you need to complete the Waste Generation and Recyclable Collection Worksheet:




The number and size of garbage and recyclable containers on your property. This information can be found by
checking the containers outside your building or checking your invoice from your waste hauler.
The number of times per week the garbage and recyclables are collected. This information can be found on
your waste hauling invoice or contract.
How full the containers are when they are serviced. Are they overflowing by the time the truck comes, or are
they only half full? Try to come up with an average volume for all your containers at collection time. For
example, note whether the containers are half full (50%) or three-fourths full (75%).
The cost to collect your garbage and recyclables. This information can be found on your waste hauling invoice
or contract. Generally, this is a monthly fee.
Estimating Your Building’s Recycling Rate
Estimating your building’s recycling rate helps you understand how much waste you are diverting from landfills. It’s easy
to estimate your recycling rate if your trash containers are the same size as your recyclable containers. For example, a
building uses two dumpsters for trash and one dumpster for recycling. If both the trash and recycling containers are full
at the time of pickup, then 1/3 (one recyclable container to three total containers) or about 30% of the total waste
generated is recycled! If your containers are different sizes or your dumpsters are not full every week, try estimating
your waste generation and recycling rate using the following worksheet. Remember, this is just an estimate, not a precise
calculation
5
Multi-Unit Residential Recycling Toolkit – Version 2.0
Copyright 2009, City of Chicago
… Step 1: Review
City of Chicago
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Waste Generation and Recyclable Collection Worksheet
Trash
Calculate Waste Generation
and Recycling Rates
1.
Size of container
Dumpsters are usually sized in cubic yards (typically 1 to 2 yd3 each). Toters are
usually sized in gallons (typically 90/96 gallons or about 0.5 yd3 each)
2.
Number of Containers
3.
Collection Frequency
How many days per week is your trash collected?
4.
Total Weekly Trash/Recycling Capacity
If your containers are always full at pickup, this is also your Actual Waste
Generated (Line 8).
5.
6.
Cost per yd3
7.
Average Fullness of Container
Observe the fullness of each container by percentage before it is picked up. Add
the percentages for each container and divide by the number of containers.
Total Trash/Recycling Generated
Compare this value to Line 4. If line 4 is significantly greater than Line 8, you may
want to contact your hauler to decrease your collection frequency or container
size.
9.
yd3
1.
2.
3.
yd3
2.
days/wk
3.
days/wk
Trash
2 yd3
Recyclables
0.5 yd3
4 dumpsters
4 toters
6 times a week
3 times a week
Line (1 x 2 x 3) =
4.
yd3/wk
Line (1 x 2 x 3) =
4.
yd3/wk
48 yd3
6 yd3
5. $
5. $
$305
$30
$6.40/yd3
$5.00/yd3
75% or 0.75
100% or 1
(48 x 0.75) = 36
(6 x 1) = 6
Weekly Cost for Trash/Recycling Removal
Your waste contract will list the total cost, which is typically provided on a
monthly basis. If this is the case, divide the monthly cost by four to obtain the
average weekly cost.
8.
1.
Recyclables
Example: Your building has four 2-yd3 dumpsters
picked up 6 times/week for a monthly rate of
$1220. The building also has four toters (0.5 yd3)
for recyclables picked up 3 times/week for
$120/month. The dumpsters are 75% full and the
recyclables are 100% full at pick up.
Recycling Rate
You will need totals from line 8 for both trash (8T) and recyclables (8R) for this
calculation.
Chicago Multi-Unit Recycling Project – Version 2.0
/ wk
/ wk
Line (5/4) =
6.
yd3
Line (5/4) =
6.
yd3
7.
7.
%
Line (4 x 7) =
8.
yd3
%
Line (4 x 7) =
8.
yd3
Line (8R/(8T + 8R)) x 100 =
9.
%
(6/(36 + 6)) x 100 = 14%
Copyright 2009, City of Chicago