When Chicago launched the Blue Bag program in the mid-1990s, the city was already battling a reputation for falling behind the recycling efforts of other major cities. Now, despite the efforts of the city’s current Blue Cart Recycling Program and address-based guidance from the Recycle Coach app, Chicago is still struggling to keep up with its metropolitan counterparts.
In fact, Chicago diverted just 9.4% of household waste from landfills in 2024, a stark contrast from 20.2% in New York City and 60% to 80% in cities like Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. As we continue to use plastics that make up essential items like vital medical devices and the packaging that protects our food and household products, we need a definitive, logical solution to reduce plastic waste and increase circularity.
The Recycled Materials Attribution Act, bipartisan federal legislation co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., could be part of that solution. By creating clear, consistent national standards for recycled-content claims, the legislation would strengthen trust in recycling, reduce consumer confusion and support investment in innovative technologies that can recycle more types of plastic and recover more materials for reuse.
Chicago deserves a recycling system that is simple, effective and built for today’s needs. The proposed bill is a practical step toward modernizing recycling and helping Chicago — and the rest of the country — to keep more waste out of landfills.
John Hewitt, senior vice president, Consumer Brands Association, and spokesperson, Recycling Leadership Council
Memorial Day rooted in Black history
I remember sitting in my integrated history class in 1963 listening to lectures about the Civil War and how gallantly men fought on both sides. The observation of Memorial Day resulted from this war. That African Americans played a major role in the origin of this day of remembrance was never mentioned.
There will always be debates about who should be given credit. But historians are in general agreement that the seeds of Memorial Day were planted in Charleston, South Carolina, on May 1, 1865 when mostly freed slaves and some white missionaries organized a tribute to fallen union soldiers who died in a Confederate prison camp. Mostly Black men, women and children gave speeches, served food and placed flowers on the graves. From that event, Decoration Day, the precursor to Memorial Day, was created in 1868.
In 1971, after Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Memorial Day was established.
I don’t blame my history teacher for not sharing the Black contribution to this specific piece of history. He likely never got the opportunity to study this history himself.
Memorial Day is a sacred day honoring our brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice. It is both consoling and exciting to learn that Black people played a major role in the origin of this special federal holiday.
George Comer, Crown Point, Indiana