The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

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Simplifying recycling

When it comes to recycling, trying to figure out what goes where can sometimes be confusing. Following these three simple rules can help:

  • Recycle all empty plastic bottles, cans, paper and cardboard
  • Keep food and liquids out of the recycling
  • Don’t bag recyclables — empty them directly into the cart

Common contaminants…For recycling to work, limiting contaminants at the collection point is essential. The most common recycling contaminants are the following:

  • Plastic bags
  • Food and liquids
  • Electronics and small appliances
  • Textiles, bedding, rugs and carpet
  • Hoses, holiday lights, hangers and extension cords
  • Paper napkins, plates, cups and tissues
  • Polystyrene foam (also known as Styrofoam)
  • Tires, auto parts and scrap metal
  • Concrete, wood and construction debris
  • Yard waste
  • Inflatable pools and toys

For more information on recycling, visit www.oak-park.us/recycling, call 708.358.5700 or email sustainability@oak-park.us.