This program, in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Environment, serves tenants of the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) throughout the City of Chicago. By collecting recyclable materials and bringing them to our mobile buy-back centers, many CHA tenants earn additional income.

The Department of Environment modeled this program after the Resource Center's buy-back recycling operation. Hiring locally and establishing neighborhood buy-back centers, the Resource Center has assisted low-income residents of the city in earning money while promoting local economic and environmental revitalization. CHA residents are hired when possible to work on the collection routes-- adding the benefit of job training and job readiness skills adaptable for other work settings. The resident employees work with volunteers of Americorps* VISTA program.

The CHA buy-back recycling program currently serves all units of public housing in the city.

Call the Resource Center at (773) 821-9230, or visit the Department of Environment's web site to learn more about the CHA Buy Back program.