Listing six of the largest cities in the United States that provide comprehensive recycling programs for their residents, Ald. Tom Allen (38th) urged Chicago Alderman to support an order that would add Chicago to the list - an order mandating the expansion of the blue cart recycling program to all Chicago residents by Sept. 1.

"Recycling isn't a luxury," Allen emphasized in his speech. "It ranks up there with refuse pick up ... and snow plowing."

A handful of Alderman and Chicago residents attended the joint committee meeting Monday morning to discuss the proposal, but there wasn't much debate.

"If we claim to be a green, sustainable city, we need to have recycling," Ald. Fioretti (2nd) said, summing up the sentiment in the room.

Despite a chorus of support for the order from several Alderman who say they are constantly approached by residents demanding recycling services, there was little discussion about how the expansion would be funded.

Considering the city's current financial woes, a solid funding plan could be the clincher for getting what Fioretti called "a basic city service."

Approximately one-third of the city currently recycles through the blue cart program. You can learn more about the history of Chicago's recycling efforts, including how this proposal may change the blue cart program in our August feature.