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December 2025 marked 30 years since the City of Chicago introduced its first citywide recycling program. It was scrapped in 2008, but despite improvements, recycling rates remain stubbornly low.
On Dec. 4, 1995, the Chicago's Blue Bag recycling program began to much fanfare. First, Burleigh Hines reports on people preparing the day before. Then, we see a family pitching in on the first day, and the inside of a waste sorting facility.
In this series of Channel 2 News special reports from May 1989, Adele Arakawa reports on the garbage disposal crisis in Northeastern Illinois and what to do about it. Arakawa talks with then-Chicago Deputy Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Tim Harrington, then-Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County executive director Bill Abolt, and other experts. Original airdates: May 17-19, 1989.
Organizers expect that of the 10,000 pounds of lights they have collected, they estimate they have saved about 3000 pounds of copper alone from inside the wires.
For people who are looking for more eco-friendly ways to get rid of those lights and trees, some groups are offering help.
Live trees can be dropped off at one of 27 drop-off locations around the city between Jan. 3 and 17.
Before doing so, all decorations must be removed before recycling.
Before doing so, all decorations must be removed before recycling.
Did you know electronic waste makes up 70% of all toxic waste in the United States? So, on Saturday, the chamber of commerce is putting on a tech recycling event on the Southport Corridor from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The events and marketing director, Teresa Hull, talks more about it.
Most of the labor and cost of managing textile waste falls on thrift stores, charities, and local governments. California is now making sure textile and clothing producers are doing their part.
Why does so much of what gets tossed into those blue recycling bins end up in the trash? CBS News Chicago visited the city's largest recycling facility for some answers.
Tara Molina got an inside look at Chicago's largest recycling facility for some answers about recycling and how Chicago is falling short.
In the U.S., one of the biggest users of single-use plastic cups is Starbucks Coffee. While Starbucks encourages customers to place those cups in recycling bins, it turns out most of the cups never get recycled. National Environmental Correspondent David Schechter reports.
"I was so excited to be on the news, knowing that lots of people saw what we are doing for the earth."
It started with recycling plastic bags from snack time but is now a full-school initiative. The kids at Corron Elementary School put together a program to keep about 100 pounds of plastic from reaching landfills each week.
Activewear is one of the fastest-growing types of fashion, but the material that gives yoga pants that extra stretch can be harmful to the environment.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the zoo's main parking lot, which is located at 8400 31st Street.
Throughout the week, the plastic is assembled in bags that are placed in front of every classroom. It all ends up in Mr. Robinson's classroom – which doubles as a recycling hub.
The fifth graders from Corron Elementary School have put together a recycling program that is keeping about 100 pounds of plastic from reaching landfills weekly in their community. CBS 2 Climate Watch Reporter Tara Molina reports.
Participants are reminded to remove all the ornaments, lights, and tinsel from the tree before dropping it off. Read more
In a now annual tradition in Sweden, volunteers chuck Christmas trees into Stockholm's icy waters. This project aims to help restore endangered ecosystems.
"We have several large buckets, trays and they fill up within two or three days."
The exchange stocks everything from books and ink toner to tools and trophies - a supply treasure-trove this group tries to keep out of the trash.
The Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange stocks everything from books and ink toner to tools and trophies - a supply treasure-trove this group tries to keep out of the trash. CBS 2's Sara Machi reports.
Manufacturing facilities like Amcor's can only keep churning out recycled plastic if people recycle.
A girl was stabbed by her classmate at Zion-Benton Township High School Friday morning, police said.
Heavy rainfall overnight has caused flooding throughout the Chicago area on Friday morning.
A teenager was shot and killed in a KFC parking lot in Chicago's Gage Park neighborhood on Thursday night.
Kimberly Perez's father, 60-year-old Carlos Perez Ruiz, was detained in north suburban Niles in September, and his family is still fighting to get him released.
The excitement for the Bears' Wild Card playoff game against the Packers on Saturday night is building across Chicagoland, and some fans are using a unique way to show their love for head coach Ben Johnson.
California, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois and New York called the move an unconstitutional abuse of power.
The White House ballroom architect said a new second story on the West Wing colonnade would help make the building more uniform with the ballroom.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed a major bill to address energy costs while adding clean energy to the grid.
Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is launching an investigation into federal immigration enforcement in Chicago.
The House easily passed legislation to fund several federal agencies and programs as lawmakers work to avert another government shutdown later this month.
Protesters on Tuesday were cranking up the heat on Peoples Gas over a recently proposed rate hike that would add an additional $10 to $11 a month to utility bills.
A lawsuit filed late last month took Chicago-based McDonald's to task over the McRib sandwich, calling its name a form of false advertising.
As this holiday season nears its end, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias issued a warning Tuesday about text scams.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
With less than two weeks until Christmas, if you're sending gifts to people far from home, the deadlines to get them there on time are fast approaching.
Severe flu season is sending many people to hospital emergency rooms across the country, including in the Chicago area.
Unionized health care workers this week took aim at Northwestern Medicine, saying the health care system needs to hire more people before expanding the emergency room at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that its recommendations for childhood vaccines will not be affected by a change in federal guidelines.
The first pediatric flu death for this year's flu season has been reported, Illinois health officials said, as flu cases across the state continue to rise.
Millions of people with an Affordable Care Act health plan face a massive jump in premiums next year — this chart shows just how much.
The Piggery, a popular barbecue restaurant and bar in the northwest corner of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, announced Thursday that it is going out of business.
The Lincolnwood Town Center mall in the north Chicago suburb of Lincolnwood has been sold to a developer, the village announced Wednesday.
They do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but a longtime Chicago fried chicken institution said imitation went too far after a new business opened with a very similar name.
A lawsuit filed late last month took Chicago-based McDonald's to task over the McRib sandwich, calling its name a form of false advertising.
American Airlines announced Monday that it is adding 100 more departures from Chicago early next year as it continues its expansion at O'Hare International Airport.
Chicago Theatre Week brings value-priced tickets for shows from Feb. 5 until Feb. 15 at Chicago's stage venues. Tickets can sell for $30, $15, or even less.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. is perhaps best known for his role as state Sen. R. Clayton "Clay" Davis on HBO's "The Wire."
It marks the second lawsuit in recent months accusing the filmmaker and studio mogul of leveraging his power in Hollywood to make sexual advances.
The band announced Perry Bamonte's death on their official website on Friday.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
"Girls Who Lead," a group empowering young women, is hosting a conference here in Chicago.
VP of Communications and Brand Development at Mariano's, Amanda Puck, joins CBS News Chicago with some gameday snack ideas.
Looking for a spot to cheer on the Bears? Check out Recess with Jackie Kostek.
Musician "Swamp Dogg" joined CBS News Chicago to talk about his life and upcoming show at Metro.
Heavy rainfall overnight has caused flooding throughout the Chicago area on Friday morning.
A teenager was shot and killed in a KFC parking lot in Chicago's Gage Park neighborhood on Thursday night.
Heavy rainfall overnight has caused flooding throughout the Chicago area on Friday morning.
A girl was stabbed by her classmate at Zion-Benton Township High School Friday morning, police said.
A teenage boy was shot and killed in Cicero Thursday afternoon, shortly after the school day ended.
Adam Beckerink, the man charged with murder in the death of his estranged wife, Caitlin Tracey, at his South Loop condo building in 2024, is expected to be extradited from Michigan back to Illinois next week.
Fire department officials in Chicago's western suburbs said drone technology has been helping keep firefighters safe and make a major impact on public safety.
With the stores becoming a common target for thieves, some of the stores in the Chicago area are taking new steps to fight back.
As thousands of people are expected downtown for New Year's Eve celebrations, Mayor Johnson, the Chicago police, and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications are trying to get out ahead of any safety concerns.
Cameras not working, video evidence missed by police and a psychic that leads a hit and run victim's son to a clue that changes the case
Some Chicago area hospitals are at risk of significant flooding both in and around the buildings, according to new KFF Health News/Fathom models.
The excitement for the Bears' Wild Card playoff game against the Packers on Saturday night is building across Chicagoland, and some fans are using a unique way to show their love for head coach Ben Johnson.
Thursday night's game between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls at the United Center was postponed due to condensation on the court.
Playoff football is back in Chicago. The Bears are gearing up to take on the Packers on Saturday in a do-or-die Wild Card matchup at Soldier Field. For some fans, it's not just a game, it's a religious experience.
You know the old sports adage: "act like you've been there before." That's hard to do when you haven't been there before. A bunch of Bears players are making their playoff debuts on Saturday; against the division-rival Packers, no less.
When Patrick Coogan was named Rose Bowl MVP last week, the Marist grad became the first offensive lineman to win it since 1944.
Adam Beckerink, the man charged with murder in the death of his estranged wife, Caitlin Tracey, at his South Loop condo building in 2024, is expected to be extradited from Michigan back to Illinois next week.
A teenage boy was shot and killed in Cicero Thursday afternoon, shortly after the school day ended.
A man was shot multiple times and killed Thursday morning on Chicago's West Side.
Burglars hit a restaurant in the southwest Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn early Thursday.
Chicago and Metra police converged on a station downtown early Thursday after thieves targeted the ticket machines.
