Our Commitment to Preserving the Environment

As the Midwest’s leader in recycling and waste diversion programs, roll-off container service and waste removal, Lakeshore Recycling Systems considers the recycle component of our industry to be the area that we can create the most positive change. To that end, Lakeshore Recycling Systems provides a sustainable business model that is entirely built on increased recycling and waste diversion. As reflected in our name, we believe in recycling first, whenever possible.

Zero Landfill Policy

Lakeshore Recycling Systems vows not to own or operate a landfill. We understand that the waste industry faces a great deal of ecological responsibility and choose to embrace that responsibility. Our commitment allows us to uncover innovative solutions that will help keep our communities clean and more sustainable. By not owning a landfill, our business model allows us to prosper from recycling versus sending waste to landfills. This aspect has galvanized our intentions to re-route and reclaim what would have otherwise been waste sitting in a landfill.

We see this model beneficial on two levels:
1. We remain vigilant about our environmental footprint.
2. We pass our diminished disposal costs on to our customers.

Curious about LRS single-stream recycling? Click here to download the flyer for more information.

Single-Stream Recycling

Lakeshore Recycling Systems holds the most advanced single-stream recycling system in the Midwest at Heartland Recycling Center. Single-stream recycling eliminates the need to sort most recyclable household items. Under the single-stream program, one can co-mingle allowable items into one container. Our single-stream recycling center allows us to handle more than 110,000 tons of high-grade residential and commercial single-stream recyclables. Lakeshore Recycling Systems sorts, separates and allocates over 20 tons of waste per hour.

A Growing Fleet of Eco-friendly Vehicles

As Lakeshore Recycling Systems continues to grow, the amount of eco-conscious vehicles increases as well. We began purchasing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks in 2011. Since then, we have standardized our entire fleet to include environmental-friendly clean diesel and CNG vehicles.

Community Education and Outreach

In terms of significance to our environment, we feel it is our duty to educate the communities we serve on the best methods to achieve recycling success. Through community education, we remain an active voice for environmental change in Chicagoland. Year-round, Lakeshore Recycling Systems partners with Chicagoland charities, organizations and schools to make a difference in our community along with educating the public on recycling practices. Our company aims to show dedication not only to the services we provide, but to the people we work with.

Awards and Recognition

With a set culture of dedicated employees to strive for environmental excellence, Lakeshore Recycling Systems is a proud recipient of a variety of awards that prove all the possibilities of creating a greener future. Within the past year, Lakeshore Recycling Systems has revolutionized the waste industry from adapting to the latest technology to diverting record-high waste material to initiating compost programs in Chicagoland cities. These feats contributed to the recognition of Better Business Bureau’s 2017 Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, Best Available Environmental Technology by National Association of Environmental Professionals, Top Product of the Year Award by Environmental Leader, a Chicago Best and Brightest Company to Work For ®, a National Best and Brightest Company to Work For®, second annual ranking on Waste 100 and multiple Stevie awards including the Grand Stevie, Company of the Year, Most Innovative Company and Customer Service Department of the Year by the American Business Association.