ORDINANCE
WHEREAS Chicago has one of the lowest recycling rates among major cities. In 2020, Chicago generated 4.13 million tons of waste but only 8.8% of it was recycled; and
WHEREAS only 6% of textile disposals have been recycled. The rest (94%) have been disposed through the municipal waste stream, where non-biodegradable textile materials fill up our landfills and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in tipping fees; and
WHEREAS in the USA, textile disposal increased in the municipal solid waste stream by a staggering 78% between 2000 and 2017, more than double the growth of any other major waste category. During the same time, textile recycling remained stagnant nationwide at 16%; and
WHEREAS the Federal Courts have ruled that collection bins operated by non-profits are protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution (see Appendix A). This April 6, 2015, decision stands unless it is appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court; and
WHEREAS the City of Chicago's Department of Streets & Sanitation has been exploring new strategies for recycling of textiles to keep more out of the waste stream. It is proposed that pilot program be developed in four wards to ascertain how effective novel methods of textile waste collection can be expanded; now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL:
SECTION 1. Chapter 7-28-785 of the Municipal Code of the City of Chicago is hereby amended by striking through and adding new language underlined, bold-faced, and italicized as follows:
7-28-785 Collection bins.
(Language omitted for brevity and unaffected by this ordinance)
The commissioner of business affairs and consumer protection shall forward the completed application to the alderman of the ward in which the proposed collection bin will be located, along with a request for any detailed information on the factors set forth in subsection (f).
No permit shall be issued for a collection bin on any lot: ,
on which is located a vacant building, as that term is ...
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