Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Alton
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, depending on your street address.
Recycling
Recycling is collected every other week on your designated service day.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected weekly year-round on your designated service day, alongside seasonal citywide leaf vacuuming in late fall.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash collection is billed directly by the City of Alton Comptroller's Office for all properties with active water service, while water and sewer services are billed separately through Illinois American Water.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone, Mail, In Person
Black Cart (with Black or Blue Lid) Bin (Trash)
All trash must fit inside the provided container. Carts should be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Small broken household goods
Cart with Dark Green, Yellow, or Powder Blue Lid Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be empty, clean, and dry. Do not place items in plastic bags; toss them loosely into the recycling cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and office paper
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and wrappers
- ✕Medical waste and diapers
- ✕Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
- ✕Clothing, shoes, and toys
- ✕Food waste and greasy pizza boxes
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is collected year-round on your regular trash day. Use the free Republic Services yard waste cart (available upon request), biodegradable paper bags, or bundle branches with twine (max 50 lbs per bundle).
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Plants and shrubs
- ✓Small tree branches (under 4 feet long and 3 feet in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
4 times per year (up to 5 items each time)
Placement
Call 618-656-6883 to schedule. Once confirmed, place items at the curb by 6:00 AM on the scheduled bulk collection day. No single item may exceed 50 pounds.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattress sets
- ✓ Couches, chairs, desks, and dressers
- ✓ Rolled carpet
- ✓ Glass from doors/windows (must be broken into a marked box)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Concrete and construction materials
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
- ✕ Fluorescent light bulbs
- ✕ Lead or oil-based paint/varnish
- ✕ Loose trash in boxes
This bulk allowance is completely covered by your bi-monthly city trash bill; there is no additional cost as long as you stay within the limit of 5 items, 4 times a year.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on or before your regular service day, all trash, recycling, and yard waste collections will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule since it is collected on your regular trash day.
If the holiday falls on a weekend, your standard collection schedule usually remains unaffected. Always check the Republic Services app for live updates.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Late Autumn
November - DecemberThe Alton Street Department runs a specialized Leaf Vacuum Truck route through the city wards. Rake leaves to the edge of your property (not into the street or over storm drains) prior to your ward's scheduled vacuum week.
Winter
December - MarchThe Alton Public Works Department is responsible for plowing 553 miles of city streets and alleys. During snow events, keep garbage carts fully in your driveway rather than the street to avoid interfering with snowplows.
Year-Round
January - DecemberUnlike many Midwestern cities that suspend organic pickup in the winter, Republic Services collects yard waste year-round in Alton. You can place your yard cart or bags out on your normal trash day any month of the year.
Local Tips & Community Info
City of Alton Trash Collection Overview
Keeping Alton, Illinois clean and beautiful requires a community effort and reliable sanitation services. The City of Alton partners with Republic Services for residential trash collection, recycling, and yard waste services. To maintain a smooth pickup process, your household garbage is collected on a designated weekly schedule depending on your neighborhood. Residents are encouraged to place their bins at the curb or alley line no later than 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Keep in mind that trash billing is managed directly by the City of Alton, while Republic Services handles the physical pickup and container requests.
Alton Recycling Services and Bin Placement
Recycling is a fantastic way to minimize landfill waste and protect the local environment. Through Republic Services, Alton residents can recycle clean and dry items such as paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans. To ensure your recycling is picked up without issues, avoid tossing plastic bags or food-contaminated materials into the recycling cart. Proper bin placement is just as important; make sure your trash and recycling carts are placed at least three feet apart from each other, utility poles, and parked cars. If you need a new recycling container, you can contact Republic Services directly at 618-656-6883.
Bulk Waste and Large Item Disposal
Occasionally, you may need to dispose of items that are simply too large to fit in your standard trash cart, such as old furniture, broken appliances, or mattresses. Bulk waste disposal in Alton is available, but it requires prior coordination. Residents should contact Republic Services to schedule a specialized pickup for these oversized materials. Keep in mind that hazardous materials like wet paint, motor oil, and certain electronics cannot be collected with standard bulk waste and must be taken to specialized local drop-off facilities.
Yard Waste Pickup Rules
During the spring, summer, and fall seasons, Alton homeowners often generate a significant amount of yard debris. Yard waste, including grass clippings, leaves, and small twigs, is collected regularly. You must place your yard waste in approved biodegradable paper bags or a designated yard waste bin. The City of Alton also periodically operates a leaf vacuum truck during the autumn months—check the city's official homepage for the specific route schedule.
Holiday Schedule Delays and Missed Pickups
Sanitation workers observe major national holidays, which can affect your regular trash collection schedule. Typical observed holidays include New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If your normal service day falls on or after one of these holidays, your pickup will generally be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. If you experience a missed pickup on a regular day, or have a damaged trash cart, reach out to Republic Services for prompt resolution.
Drop-off Facilities
Madison County Recycling Drop-off (Downtown Alton)
400 Piasa St., Alton, IL 62002 (Across from the federal building)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I call if my trash cart is broken or missing?
If your trash or recycling cart is damaged or missing, you should contact Republic Services directly at 618-656-6883. They handle all container replacements and can inform you about any potential charges for requesting additional carts.
How do I pay my Alton trash bill?
Even though Republic Services collects the trash, the City of Alton manages the trash billing. You can pay your trash bill over the phone by calling 1-844-462-1016, or online through the city's payment portal at myaccess.cityofaltonil.gov.
Can I recycle glass and plastic bags in my curbside bin?
Standard curbside recycling accepts clean plastic bottles, jugs, paper, and cardboard. However, plastic bags should never be placed in your recycling bin as they tangle in the sorting machinery. Please check with Republic Services for the most up-to-date rules on glass recycling in Alton.