Sanitation

The Bureau of Sanitation implements waste management programs for business and residents. Specific activities include: 

  • Collecting residential garbage;
  • Operating the City’s Blue Cart Recycling Program;
  • Providing technical assistance and support for the City’s recycling initiatives;
  • Providing assistance for the development of citywide waste reduction and management programs and policies; and
  • Coordinating street sweeping efforts for city main streets and side streets.
Check Status of Sanitation Code Violation Service Request

Check status of your Sanitation Code Violation Service Request.

Division and Sanitation Offices

The Bureau of Sanitation has District and Ward Sanitation Offices throughout the city responsible for coordinating local garbage pick-up, sanitation code enforcement, snow removal operations and other services. District and ward superintendents monitor their sections of the city for any non-sanitation bureau services that might be needed, reporting these to the appropriate bureau or outside agency for attention.

Garage, Yard & Apartment Sale Permit, Sanitation

Chicagoans planning to hold garage, yard and apartment sales can obtain their required permits at any of the city's 50 Aldermanic ward offices. Locations of these ward offices can also be obtained by calling the city's 311 non-emergency number.

Garbage Collection

The City of Chicago has implemented the grid garbage collection system citywide.

Grid Garbage Collection

Information regarding the Grid Garbage Collection System

Holiday Garbage Schedule

Non-Scheduled Dates for Garbage Collection.

Refuse Containers or Garbage Carts

All residential garbage is placed in plastic, lidded 96-gallon garbage carts often referred to as super carts supplied free to Chicagoans.

Residential Garbage Collection

The City of Chicago has implemented the grid garbage collection system citywide. Streets & Sanitation collects Chicago's residential waste. Our crews service some 600,000 homes weekly.

Sanitation Code Violation

Chicago's sanitation code is a series of municipal ordinances that require cleanliness and the safe disposal of all trash and debris.

Street Sweeping 2024

To ensure curb-to-curb street cleaning, temporary parking restrictions are posted the day before the work is scheduled to begin on any street. Some arterial streets have permanently posted signs that specify a once-per-week period when parking is prohibited for street sweeping.

Weed Cutting/ Weed Removal

High weeds can conceal illegal activities, obscure dangerous debris, harbor rodents, serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. That's why Streets & Sanitation's Bureau of Street Operations is aggressive about keeping overgrown weeds from becoming a problem in our neighborhoods.

Facts