Starting June 1: New Landscape Waste Burning Restrictions and Waste Hauling Service in Unincorporated Lake County
Beginning June 1, 2022, permanent landscape waste burning restrictions within unincorporated Lake County will go into effect. Additionally, new consolidated waste service within certain townships of unincorporated areas will begin.
The burning restrictions were approved by the Lake County Board in January to alleviate health impacts resulting from the exposure of smoke from open burning. Prior to the new ordinance, Lake County had been the only county in the Chicago metro area without restrictions on burning yard waste throughout its unincorporated areas.
If you live or own a business in unincorporated Lake County, make sure you are aware of this information.
Open Burning Restrictions
The new open burning restrictions outlined below are applicable to all households and businesses within unincorporated Lake County.
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Allowed at All Times Under Ordinance
Recreational wood-burning fires that are no larger than 3’ x 3’ x 3’ if used for warming, cooking, and other recreational purposes
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Prohibited at All Times Under Ordinance
Burning non-woody yard waste, such as leaves and grass. Also, burning garbage, refuse, or construction materials (note that this has been prohibited for many years)
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Restricted Under Ordinance
Burning woody yard waste will be permitted annually during daylight hours between Nov. 1 – March 31. Woody yard waste generally consists of sticks, branches and tree limbs (note that recreational fires are exempt from these seasonal restrictions) |
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For more information about the open burning restrictions, visit lakecountyil.gov/openburning.
New Waste Hauling Agreements
Lake County established new consolidated waste service agreements with Groot Industries and Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS). The agreements were instituted in recognition that many residents would need an alternative option to dispose of landscape waste once the new open burning ordinance went into effect. Both waste haulers will provide garbage and recycling service along with optional landscape waste pick-up service.
Unlike the open burning ordinance, the new waste hauler agreements will not serve everyone in unincorporated Lake County. Here's the breakdown:
Groot
The new waste hauler for unincorporated areas in Antioch, Benton, Grant, Newport, Waukegan and Zion Townships is Groot
LRS
The new waste hauler for unincorporated areas in Cuba, Libertyville, Moraine, Vernon, and Wauconda Townships is LRS
Exempt Townships
Avon, Ela, Fremont, Lake Villa, Shields and Warren Townships have their own waste hauler agreements for the unincorporated areas, so they are exempt from the County's agreement
Other Exemption
If you live in unincorporated Lake County within the non-exempt townships listed above, then you are subject to the County’s agreement, unless you meet both of the following criteria:
- You live in a neighborhood with a Home Owner’s Association (HOA), and
- Your HOA has a single contract with a specific hauler, signed in writing by your HOA, that covers all residences within the HOA, that was effective prior to Jan. 11, 2022
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Service Start
Bins will start to be distributed to new Groot and LRS customers the week of May 16. Service will begin the week of June 1.
For more information about the new waste hauling service, visit lakecountyil.gov/wastehauling.
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