DuPage County is moving forward on its 2027 environmental budget as regional recycling rates remain stuck well below state targets. The county's Environmental Committee received both updates at its Tuesday, Aug. 4 meeting, with implications for hauler oversight and recycling programs serving communities including Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Carol Stream and Glendale Heights.

Environmental Program Manager Joy Hinz presented the 2025 Waste & Recycling Annual Report to the committee, covering Illinois landfill capacity, hauler reporting, residential recycling and diversion rates, and the division's priorities going forward. Committee members Andrew Honig and Greg Schwarze asked questions of clarification.

The report arrives as recycling diversion rates across the six-county Chicagoland area have stalled at roughly 30–35%, according to Feed the Cart campaign materials. That falls well short of the state's target of 40% diversion by 2025, set by the Illinois Materials Management Advisory Committee in a 2021 report to the General Assembly. Longer-term state goals call for 45% by 2030 and 50% by 2035.

The specific diversion rate data from DuPage County's own 2025 report was not included in the meeting minutes.

Budget moves forward

The committee voted to accept and place on file the 2027 budget for the Environmental and Sustainability Division. Honig made the motion; Schwarze seconded. The vote carried. No dollar figure was recorded in the minutes. The action is a procedural step that precedes full DuPage County Board consideration.

Public comment

Kay McKeen, executive director of SCARCE, the DuPage County-based recycling and composting education nonprofit, updated the committee on recent community events the organization hosted. David Barcus, a volunteer and advocate for DarkSky International, spoke about how the group's light-pollution programs apply to local communities.

Chair Saba Haider opened the meeting by thanking staff for the "Distilling Change" Chicago Climate Week event held July 23.

Committee members present included Yeena Yoo, Schwarze, Mike Childress and Honig.

The next Environmental Committee meeting date was not listed in the Aug. 4 minutes. Residents can find the committee calendar on the county's Legistar page.