Chicago City Wire

Mayor Brandon Johnson, alongside the Departments of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) and Environment (DOE), has introduced a new initiative to distribute free backyard compost bins to Chicago residents. The program is aimed at households with four units or less, allowing them to apply for a bin via an online form. After confirming eligibility, city staff will deliver the bins directly to residents' homes. Initially, each ward in the city will receive 20 bins.

"Following the success of our citywide Food Scrap Drop-Off program, we are taking another bold step forward in creating a greener Chicago," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "This program puts the tools for positive change right in people's backyards. We are proud to launch this initiative that advances our climate action goals by keeping food scraps out of landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and returning valuable nutrients to our soil."

The compost bins enable residents to convert organic waste such as fruit and vegetable scraps, leaves, and grass clippings into compost through natural decomposition processes involving microbes. This initiative represents a significant advancement in Chicago's waste reduction efforts and sustainability commitment.

The free bins will be distributed while supplies last. If demand exceeds supply within any ward, names will be placed on a waiting list, with notifications sent via email when additional bins become available.

"DSS is excited to provide another method for residents to compost materials from the waste stream so they can be processed into reusable products," stated DSS Commissioner Cole Stallard. "This backyard compost bin giveaway complements our long-standing Blue Cart Recycling program as well as the City’s new Food Scrap Drop-Off program."

Chicago's Food Scrap Drop-Off Program allows residents to dispose of all food scraps at 20 designated locations across the city. The collected waste is then processed at a commercial-scale facility designed to handle large quantities efficiently.

"We applaud Mayor Johnson and DSS for their continued commitment to advancing Chicago’s Climate Action Plan," remarked Angela Tovar, Chicago’s Chief Sustainability Officer and DOE Commissioner. "Recent weather events remind us of the increasingly harmful effects of climate change, and as a city we must do everything we can to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to warming of the atmosphere."

For further details on this giveaway and other recycling initiatives in Chicago, residents are encouraged to visit www.chicagorecycles.org.