Chicago Area Commercial Refuse and Recycling Services - Skokie, IL

General Collection Information

1. The Village of Skokie, Illinois initiated the commercial franchise program in 1998 to provide the business community with the benefits of a joint-purchase contract that would significantly reduce programs costs, provide low and fixed annual service cost escalators, improve customer service and provide an opportunity to recycle.
   1. This program is periodically bid.
       
2. Who is required to participate in the Village Program?
   1. All commercial and industrial buildings are required to participate in the Commercial Refuse and Recycling Program.
   2. All institutional or multi-family buildings, (that have more than 4 units and are not condominiums), are required to participate in the Commercial Refuse and Recycling Program.

Refuse Collection Program

1. Veolia Environmental Services can provide a refuse container in a size that accommodates your waste removal needs. If you would like to change the size of your container or the frequency of your service, please contact a customer service representative at (847) 272-4145.
    
2. In accordance with Village code, refuse and recycling can be collected between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Monday thru Saturday.

Recycling Program

1. How can my business recycle under the Village's Commercial Program?
   1. Village of Skokie Green Recycling Bags are available for your business recycling needs.
      1. Please call the Public Works Department at 847-933-8475 to request a supply of bags.
      2. The bags are provided at no cost to your business.
   2. Please contact Veolia ES at 847-272-4145 to determine if the volume of recycling material from your location requires a dedicated recycling container.
       
2. What materials can I recycle in the Green Bag Program?
   1. Paper Material
      1. Office grade computer and ledger paper, bond paper, typing paper, copier and facsimile grade paper, index cards, envelopes, paper file folders, junk mail, magazines and brochures, telephone books and service directories and chipboard.
   2. Glass, Metal & Plastics
      1. Glass Bottles and jars (all colors); aluminum, bi-metal and steel cans; plastic containers coded 1 through 6.
   3. Corrugated Cardboard
      1. Corrugated cardboard must be broken down and placed in the dumpster(s) servicing your business.
      2. If you have cart service and the cardboard won't fit into the container, please flatten the cardboard into a small bundle (not to exceed 20 pounds), secure the bundle with string and place next to the cart.
      3. If you have more than one cubic yard of cardboard every other week, you need to order a rigid recycling container for your cardboard at the established matrix pricing.
          
3. How do the materials need to be prepared?
   1. All the recyclables can be mixed in the Green Village of Skokie Green Bags.
   2. Securely tie the bags, and place FULL bags into the refuse container/dumpster.
   3. The Green recycling bags will be transported to a material recovery facility where they will be separated from the normal trash.

Who can be exempt from this mandatory Village Program?

1. The Village of Skokie and Veolia Environmental Services will work with accounts that have more specialized needs to determine whether service can be provided under the Village franchise program.
    
2. A program exemption* may be granted under Section 86.45 of the Skokie Village code, if at least one of the following criteria are met:
   1. Refuse service is arranged as part of a national or corporate contract and beyond the commercial entity's control.
   2. A contract that controls the scope of service for multiple locations all within Skokie is not considered an exempted request.
   3. Service needs cannot be provided by the program.

* All requests for exemption shall be in writing and must specify the circumstances that necessitate such exemption status.

Contact Information:
Veolia Environmental Services Customer Service: (847) 272-4145
Village of Skokie: Linda Watson at (847) 933-8475