Why Chicagoans Aren’t Recycling Enough
Less than 10% of Chicago’s waste is recycled, according to the city's Streets and Sanitation Department. That’s despite a goal to keep 50% of waste out of landfills by 2025 and as other cities boast even higher rates. Axios’ Monica Eng has been covering the city’s waste management struggles for years. She tells host Jacoby Cochran what’s driving Chicago’s abysmal recycling rates and offers some tips for all of us to do better.
Learn more about the city’s new food scrap drop-off program.
Some Good News: Chicago Documenters Orientation
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