The Illinois Recycling Association (IRA), a not-for-profit organization, was formed in 1980 as the Illinois Association of Recycling Centers. The name was changed to IRA in 1990. In 2020, the Association successfully split into two united but separate organizations to better address members’ needs:
- The Illinois Recycling Association remains the 501(c)6 legislative division, working on various issues that rise to the level of needing legislative action.
- The Illinois Recycling Foundation is the 501(c)3 group charged with providing educational literature, events, tours, networking opportunities, webinars and more on a statewide basis.
The membership consists of businesses, haulers and processors, non-profit organizations, municipal, county and state recycling coordinators, educational institutions, consultants, manufacturers of recycled-content products and individuals interested in the industry.