Cook County, IL Launches Municipal Recycling Grant Program Providing $1 Million to the Villages of Posen, Phoenix and Dixmoor

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced the creation of the Cook County Municipal Recycling Grant Program and its first recipients, the south suburban Villages of Posen, Phoenix and Dixmoor. The program was created by the County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) and The Recycling Partnership to provide funding to suburban Cook municipalities for waste diversion programs and projects like curbside residential recycling services. Recycling services are expected to begin in spring 2025.

DES selected the three villages after identifying the County municipalities with moderate to high environmental justice index scores based on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), no curbside recycling program for their residents and significant financial challenges in recent years. DES notified all eligible municipalities of the grant and the Villages of Posen, Phoenix and Dixmoor were selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Cook County is working hard to advance equity for all residents because we believe supportive, accessible services result in thriving communities,” said President Preckwinkle. “The Municipal Recycling Grant Program will benefit nearly 3,000 households in the Villages of Posen, Phoenix and Dixmoor, and paves the way for progress in communities that still need curbside recycling services.”

The grant program is a key component of the Recycling, Composting and Circular Economy Solutions (RCCES) initiative created by DES in late 2022 with the mission of building municipal capacity to implement reduction, reassembly, remanufacture, repair, reuse, repurpose, recycle, compost and circularity-related initiatives within suburban Cook County.

The RCCES initiative will aid in the expansion of zero waste and circularity-related programs and opportunities within the County to help successfully reach the parallel goals of 45% diversion rate and ensuring every municipality is able to provide recycling services for residents by 2030.

The current countywide recycling rate is 13%. Twelve of Cook County’s 134 municipalities do not provide curbside recycling services for residents. DES continues to seek resources to expand the grant program and support the nine municipalities that will still be without services after the program launches.

Cook County has committed $523,345.88 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and $333,421.25 from the Cook County Equity Fund to the Municipal Recycling Grant Program. Additionally, The Recycling Partnership, a purpose driven organization dedicated to building a better recycling system, has award the County a $161,000 grant with support from the American Beverage Association’s “Every Bottle Back” as well as the Illinois Beverage Association.

“We are honored to partner with Cook County on this program, which will provide free recycling carts to every single-family residential household in Posen, Phoenix and Dixmoor,” said The Recycling Partnership Vice President of Grants and Community Development Rob Taylor. “This collaboration will also fund bi-weekly recycling collection services for the next several years. The Recycling Partnership will provide educational materials to all the households and launch an aggressive educational marketing campaign in support of the curbside recycling program.”

In the recently updated 2024-2029 Cook County Solid Waste Management Plan, DES outlined several steps to help achieve the 45% waste diversion rate, including ensuring all residents have access to recycling and food scrap composting services. Additionally, the County will coordinate with local solid waste agencies, municipalities and local environmental groups to reduce recycling contamination and provide more education to residents about the importance of recycling and where they can recycle various materials.

“The Village of Posen would like to extend are warmest thanks to President Preckwinkle, the County Board and the entire County staff for the generosity and kindness given to our municipality over the last several years,” said Village of Posen Mayor Frank Podbielniak. “Without the Cook County assistance our Village would have been left behind for many years.”

“I am grateful to the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability for their efforts to make recycling more accessible to our residents,” said Village of Dixmoor Mayor Fitzgerald Roberts. “Reducing our waste and recycling materials that can be repurposed is good for the environment and the right thing to do.”

“We must continue to invest in comprehensive strategies that promote recycling initiatives in communities overburdened by climate change challenges,” said Village of Phoenix Mayor Terry Wells. “By providing recycling programs, Phoenix is helping to fulfil our promise of combating climate change and funding projects designed to improve public health. I would like to thank Cook County and the Recycling Partnership for continuing to fight the climate crisis and for ensuring that Phoenix continues to receive the resources we need.”

Republic Services will serve as the recycling collection agency for the three municipalities. “Republic Services is thrilled to be part of this initiative to bring curbside recycling programs to Posen, Dixmoor and Phoenix,” said Republic Services General Manager Jocelyn Kruis. “As the current waste service provider for these communities, we are excited to expand our role and contribute to a more sustainable future. We commend the efforts of Cook Conty and The Recycling Partnership in funding this important program, which will significantly benefit residents and the environment alike.”

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com