Keeping Illinois materials in motion since 1980.
The Illinois Recycling Foundation is the statewide 501(c)(3) uniting the people who make recycling work — municipal coordinators, haulers, processors, educators, businesses, and residents — and the successor to more than four decades of organized recycling in Illinois.
Four decades, one throughline: keep materials out of landfills.
What began as a small association of recycling centers grew into the statewide network the Foundation stewards today.
-
1980
Founded as the Illinois Association of Recycling Centers
Grassroots recyclers organize to share knowledge, strengthen operations, and give Illinois recycling a collective voice — years before curbside collection reached most communities.
-
1990
Becomes the Illinois Recycling Association
The name change reflects a broadened network: local governments, haulers, processors, nonprofits, consultants, and businesses that process recyclables or use them to make new products.
-
2002
Putting numbers behind the mission
At an Association-sponsored legislative breakfast, the state's first Recycling Economic Information study sizes Illinois recycling as a $12.2 billion industry supporting more than 56,000 jobs across 2,400+ establishments.
-
2020
One mission, two organizations
The Association splits into two united but separate entities: the Illinois Recycling Association continues as the 501(c)(6) legislative division, while the newly formed Illinois Recycling Foundation takes up the 501(c)(3) work — education, events, networking, and outreach.
-
2026
The Foundation carries the mission forward
The Illinois Recycling Association concludes its operations, passing its full legacy to the Foundation. The IRF now serves as the unified statewide organization for waste reduction, reuse, and recycling in Illinois.
-
Today
Building a circular economy in Illinois
The Foundation convenes the statewide Illinois Circularity Conference with SWANA Illinois, runs the public Illinois Recycling Finder, and delivers education and programs to communities in every corner of the state.
Promote waste reduction, reuse, and recycling — everywhere in Illinois.
Everything the Foundation does traces back to four commitments carried forward from our founding organizations.
Provide educational leadership and programs
Forums, workshops, webinars, and materials that help practitioners and organizations exchange what works — from battery stewardship compliance to food scrap diversion.
Promote recycling through public education
Practical guidance that helps Illinois residents recycle right, including the statewide Illinois Recycling Finder and hyper-local outreach with community partners.
Encourage sustainable market development
Connecting materials to end markets and supporting the businesses, processors, and innovators that turn recovered materials into new products.
Represent the recycling community
Serving as the statewide voice of Illinois recycling — bringing practitioners' experience to agencies, policymakers, and the public conversation.
A network as varied as the material stream itself.
Memberships run on the calendar year and include newsletters, member-rate events, and free webinars — and Benefactor members receive complimentary membership in the National Recycling Coalition, connecting Illinois to the national network.
Programs with statewide reach
The Illinois Circularity Conference
Our flagship statewide gathering, hosted with SWANA Illinois and presented by The Battery Network — two days of plenaries, breakouts, and exhibits, closing with the annual awards program, including the Steve Apotheker Lifetime Achievement Award.
Explore ICC 2026The Illinois Recycling Finder
A free statewide tool for residents: search drop-off locations by city or ZIP, browse what can and can't be recycled by material, and connect with county and city recycling coordinators.
Open the finderWorkshops, webinars & publications
Year-round education with partners across the field — from battery stewardship and CERA workshops with NCER to Large Event Facilities Act webinars with the Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition — plus our member newsletter, Material Matters.
See upcoming eventsGoverned by the people who do the work
The Foundation is led by a volunteer board and member committees drawn from across the Illinois recycling community.
Support the Illinois Recycling Foundation
Be part of the next four decades.
Membership connects you to practitioners, agencies, and industry across the state — and funds the Foundation's work year-round.
Become a member Renew an existing membershipFuel the mission.
The IRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Every gift supports education, public tools, and cleaner material streams statewide.
Donate now