Thanksgiving Recycling Guide: What Can and Can’t Be Recycled in Chicago

Thanksgiving is one of the most joyful — and wasteful — holidays of the year. Between packaging, leftovers, and decorations, households in Chicago generate up to 25% more waste during the holiday season. The good news: with a few easy steps, you can keep most of it out of the landfill.

Here’s your quick guide from GreenWay Recycling on what you can and can’t recycle this Thanksgiving.

♻️ What You Can Recycle

1. Food and Beverage Containers

• Aluminum pie tins, cans, and foil (just rinse off food residue)

• Glass bottles and jars

• Plastic containers labeled #1–#5 (clean and dry)

2. Cardboard and Paper

• Shipping boxes, paper bags, and clean cardboard

• Paperboard boxes from stuffing, cereal, or pies

• Paper egg cartons
  (Tip: flatten boxes to save space.)

3. Decorations (Sometimes!)

• Plain paper decorations, cardboard centerpieces, and kraft paper can go in the recycling bin.

• Avoid anything glittered, metallic, or laminated.

🚫 What You Can’t Recycle

1. Food Waste & Grease
Turkey bones, gravy, oils, and food scraps should never go in your recycling bin — they contaminate the load. Instead, compost them or use Chicago’s composting programs.

2. Plastic Utensils & Foam Plates
Disposable cutlery, Styrofoam trays, and foam cups can’t be recycled through curbside programs. Choose reusable or compostable options instead.

3. Foil-Lined and Waxed Containers
Items like juice boxes, butter wrappers, and some pie pans are mixed materials — they belong in the trash unless marked otherwise.

4. Gift Wrap and Ribbons
Shiny or glittery wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows are not recyclable. Use simple kraft or recycled paper instead.

🦃 Smart Recycling Tips for Thanksgiving Week

✅ Set up two bins — one for recyclables, one for trash, and label them clearly.
✅ Rinse before you toss to keep recyclables clean.
✅ Flatten cardboard to make room for more.
✅ Compost your food scraps if possible.
✅ Bring larger loads (like boxes or old décor) to GreenWay Recycling, located right in the heart of Chicago.

🌱 Give Thanks by Giving Back to the Planet

Every small action helps keep Chicago cleaner and greener. After the feast, take a moment to separate your recyclables and drop off larger materials at GreenWay Recycling — we’ll handle the sorting and make sure your holiday waste gets a second life.

📍 2100 S. Kilbourn Ave, Chicago, IL
📞 773-522-0025
🌐 www.greenwayrecycles.com

Happy Thanksgiving from the GreenWay family — where we’re thankful for every Chicagoan doing their part to recycle right.