GreenWay’s Post-Halloween Recycling Guide

Don’t Trash It — Recycle It! GreenWay’s Post-Halloween Recycling Guide

Halloween is all about creativity — but once the costumes come off and the pumpkins start to slump, Chicagoans face a familiar question: What do I do with all this stuff?

At GreenWay Recycling Services, we make it easy to give your Halloween waste a second life. Instead of sending it to the landfill, bring it to our facility right here in the heart of Chicago.

♻️ What You Can Bring

1. Pumpkins (and other organic decor)
We love seeing your jack-o’-lanterns come back to life! Drop off your cleaned pumpkins (no candles, paint, or plastic bags, please) and we’ll make sure they’re properly recycled or diverted for composting rather than going to waste.

2. Cardboard & Paper Decorations
From costume boxes to paper cutouts and candy cartons — all those materials can be recycled. Flatten them before dropping off to save space and speed up processing.

3. Plastic Candy Containers & Buckets
Check for the recycling symbol — if it’s a #1 or #2 plastic, we can take it! Buckets and rigid plastic decorations are accepted as long as they’re clean and free of residue.

4. Old Costumes & Fabric Scraps
If your costumes can’t be reused or donated, we’ll sort and recycle what’s possible. Just make sure fabrics are dry and free of glitter or adhesives.

5. Yard Waste & Fall Cleanup
Doing a seasonal cleanup after the festivities? We also accept leaves, branches, and other landscape materials through our yard-waste program.

📍 Drop-Off Location

2100 S. Kilbourn Ave, Chicago, IL
Open Monday–Saturday. Call 773-522-0025 for current hours. Se habla español.

🌎 Why It Matters

Every year, millions of pounds of pumpkins and decorations end up in landfills — releasing methane instead of creating value. By recycling with GreenWay, you’re helping Chicago reduce waste, lower emissions, and keep the city clean and sustainable.

💚 Join the GreenWay

Clean out your porch, grab those pumpkins, and make a quick drop-off. It’s fast, easy, and a small action that makes a big difference.

Let’s turn Halloween waste into something good — the GreenWay.