Chicago to expand recycling program

City officials are expanding a recycling program across Chicago.

The so-called "Blue Cart" program allows residents to put recyclables in carts without presorting. The carts are collected by the city's Streets and Sanitation Department.

The program should be in place citywide by 2011.

Until then, city officials say people who don't have the program can bring the materials to a drop-off area. Officials say the number of drop-off locations will be increasing.

Currently, about 84,000 households participate in the program. A total of 600,000 households are expected to participate.

The program started in 2005.