Fire sweeps through recycling facility in Little Village
A fire broke out Thursday at a recycling facility in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, officials said.
Watch CBS News
A fire broke out Thursday at a recycling facility in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, officials said.
Chicago is marking 30 years since it started its first citywide recycling program, which began with a problematic kickoff, and continues to lag behind other major cities in terms of performance.
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.
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week after his performance in the team's record-breaking 59-37 win over the Carolina Panthers.
A man was stabbed during an argument on Chicago's West Side on Wednesday morning.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has dropped a key provision of his proposal to increase protections for Chicago renters, but it remains unclear if his revised ordinance will clear a City Council committee on Wednesday, amid ongoing opposition from landlord groups.
La Rabida Children's Hospital along Lake Michigan in Chicago's Jackson Park is asking for help from the public to earn a new title.
Shots were fired during a fight early Wednesday morning on busy Lincoln Avenue in Chicago's Budlong Woods neighborhood.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has dropped a key provision of his proposal to increase protections for Chicago renters, but it remains unclear if his revised ordinance will clear a City Council committee on Wednesday, amid ongoing opposition from landlord groups.
Illinois' senior senator, the Judiciary Committee's top Democrat, opened Tuesday's oversight hearing by accusing the director of turning the bureau's powers against President Trump's political opponents.
Three Chicago City Council members announced they have negotiated a revised parking meter deal with New York-based Stonepeak Partners to the benefit of the city.
The Legislative Ethics Commission has appointed David Risley acting legislative inspector general effective the day following the Sept. 30 resignation of his predecessor.
The Kennedy Center board, which is filled with President Trump's allies, is set to vote Tuesday on a new plan to close the center for two years of renovations.
Nicor customers will get a break on their bills this fall after Illinois Attorney General Kwame Roul reached an agreement with the utility to cut $140 million from its requested rate hike.
Drivers in Chicago and beyond were paying the highest gas prices ever recorded for the Labor Day holiday as millions of Americans were making their way home on Monday.
Around 115 million domestic and international tourists visited Illinois last year, pushing visitor spending past $50 billion for the first time and generating more than $88 billion in total economic impact.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit Thursday against ABC Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric Inc., alleging deceptive business practices.
Cook County homeowners are again facing a sharper increase in property taxes this year than businesses, the Office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas announced Monday.
A judge on Tuesday was expected to place two shuttered Chicago-area safety-net hospitals into receivership.
Cardinal Blase Cupich and a group of Catholic nuns have joined a federal lawsuit challenging Illinois' Medical Aid in Dying law, which is set to take effect in just over a week.
Flies have been everywhere this summer in the Chicago area, and some of them bite. But why is this happening?
Prime Healthcare is drawing criticism after announcing it will stop obstetrics services at three Chicago-area hospitals.
The Chicago Department of Public Health on Tuesday announced two human cases and one death from the West Nile virus in the city this year, and one of those two people has died.
The future of Rate Field was back in the spotlight on Wednesday.
Plans for a new Chicago White Sox stadium in the South Loop have residents near the existing ballpark in Bridgeport concerned, not just because the team might be leaving, but also what might be coming nearby.
A new report from the University of Illinois Chicago said federal immigration enforcement led to $1.26 billion in unspent money at retail establishments and restaurants in Cook County.
Around 115 million domestic and international tourists visited Illinois last year, pushing visitor spending past $50 billion for the first time and generating more than $88 billion in total economic impact.
A new Whole Foods Market is coming to Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.
Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas all released statements Tuesday on Instagram saying they were withdrawing from Ed Sheeran's tour.
Performer Macklemore is being dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop tour after making on-stage statements that some found controversial.
Dubbed the "Designer to the Stars," Bob Mackie won nine Emmy Awards, a Tony Award and was nominated for three Oscars.
The stage was set and the air was humid as rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, took the stage for the first of two Chicago concerts at Soldier Field Thursday night.
James Fulton Engstrom, now a healthy teenager, was born without a pulse in 2010 — and his survival is the miracle the Catholic Church credited to Fulton Sheen's intercession, clearing the way for beatification.
The state agency that owns the ballpark must consider what comes next for Rate Field as the White Sox explore a potential move and a major construction project threatens to reduce parking.
La Rabida Children’s Hospital along Lake Michigan in Chicago’s Jackson Park is asking for help from the public to earn a new title.
A new warning about the planet’s melting ice. Scientists say Antarctica and Greenland have lost about 12.5 trillion tons of ice since 1979 due to climate change.
Active servicemembers sent CBS News photos of damage to U.S. military sites from Iranian drone and missile strikes.
The Federal Reserve could be poised to raise the nation’s benchmark interest rate for the first time in more than three years in an effort to tamp down inflation. High fuel prices driven by the conflict in Iran and trade tariffs have led to higher prices for Americans at the pump and the grocery store, but President Trump wants the Fed to lower interest rates, not raise them.
Durbin opened Tuesday's oversight hearing by accusing the director of turning the bureau's powers against President Trump's political opponents.
The future of Rate Field is back in the spotlight on Wednesday.
A 16-year-old boy was shot while walking in Albany Park on Tuesday night.
A Cicero woman is suing Uber and a driver after the driver allegedly sexually assaulted her. She and her boyfriend said Uber hired him despite the driver having a criminal background.
A man was stabbed during an argument on Chicago's West Side on Wednesday morning.
A Cicero woman is suing Uber and a driver after the driver allegedly sexually assaulted her. She and her boyfriend said Uber hired him despite the driver having a criminal background.
Both hospitals were supposed to be placed in receivership, but after five hours of closed-door negotiations on Tuesday, it is still unclear what the future holds for both hospitals.
Chicago police crime data show 255 reported crimes in the last two years on the two blocks where the former Hard Rock and Rainforest cafés sit vacant. Neighbors have been calling the city about the alley between them for six years.
A three-year effort by the Cook County Sheriff's Office to help bring down crime on the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago appears to be working.
Several lawsuits are challenging Illinois' medical aid in dying law that is set to take effect on Sept. 12, including one in federal court arguing the law discriminates against people with disabilities.
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week after his performance in the team's record-breaking 59-37 win over the Carolina Panthers.
The Cubs (84-68) maintained a half-game lead over Philadelphia (83-68) for the top NL wild card.
The White Sox, who lost at least 100 games in each of the past three seasons, have held at least a share of first since July 4.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham outlined the traits she wants in the WNBA's next commissioner — someone who values players, communicates openly, and can unite a diverse league.
Connor Bedard has been named the 37th captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, capping a busy offseason for the young center.
Shots were fired during a fight early Wednesday morning on busy Lincoln Avenue in Chicago's Budlong Woods neighborhood.
A school bus aide charged in connection with a shooting on a bus in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood was set to appear in court for a detention hearing Wednesday.
Chicago police on Tuesday issued a community alert after a man groped a woman on a CTA Red Line subway platform downtown.
A $30,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person who shot and killed a 911 dispatcher in the Back of the Yards neighborhood last week.
A 15-year-old girl returned to court Monday to face murder charges, after authorities said she was one of a few people responsible for pushing a man out of a moving Chicago Transit Authority Red Line train.
