More than 100 Sycamore households are participating in DeKalb County Disposal’s pilot curbside recycling program for three weeks and plan to continue in order to combat rising landfill tipping fees.

“Curbside recycling makes recycling as easy as taking out the trash,” said Sandy Delery, recycling coordinator.

The program affects Sycamore’s Foy Edition and each participating household received a free recycling blue box. Recyclable items are collected in the boxes.

Participating households put their recycling box out on the same day they place their trash out for pickup, Delery said.

After the first week of the program, about one ton of garbage has diverted from DeKalb’s landfill, she said.

Delery said she has received positive feedback from residents who agreed to participate in the program.

DeKalb County Disposal wants to provide a recycling service to all DeKalb County customers, as well as a multi-unit housing recycling program for apartment buildings.

Newspapers, magazines, cereal boxes, milk jugs, detergent and two-liter beverage bottles can be recycled. Glass jars and bottles, aluminum cans and steel/tin cans are also acceptable.

Even junk mail is considered recyclable, she said.

Delery said increased public awareness about the benefits of recycling also prompted DeKalb County Disposal to launch the pilot program.