Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Aurora
In Illinois, garbage and recycling services run on weekly zone-based routes. Exact pickup days vary by local municipality and private hauler.
State Mandate
Electronics and landscape waste are strictly banned from landfills.
Green or Black (varies; 35, 65, or 95-gallon cart) Bin (Trash)
Place your cart at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day. Lids must be fully closed. Extra bags (max 32 gallons / 50 lbs) require a $2.75 waste sticker.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Cold ashes
Blue or Green with specialized lid (35 or 65-gallon cart) Bin (Recycling)
Items should be loose, clean, and dry. Do not bag recyclables. Extra recyclables can be placed in separate max 25-gallon containers without a sticker.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper and cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Use 30-gallon Kraft paper bags (max 50 lbs) with a $2.75 sticker (except during free leaf pickup). Brush must be bundled, max 4 ft long and 50 lbs, requiring no sticker from April through November.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Weeds
- ✓Twigs
- ✓Branches (under 4 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on regular collection day
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb along with your regular trash by 6:00 a.m., ensuring one valid waste sticker is visible on each large item or bundle.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Small rolls of carpeting
- ✓ Bundled construction debris
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Vehicle tires
Each bulk item or bundle requires one $2.75 garbage sticker. Appliances also require one sticker but must be scheduled in advance with Groot by calling 630-892-9294.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on or before your scheduled collection day, your service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection follows the same holiday delay schedule as trash and recycling during the active season.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on Friday; if the holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on Monday. Your garbage pickup will be affected by the day the holiday is observed.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Bags
Never place your recyclables inside plastic garbage bags. Plastic film wraps around sorting machinery, causing severe delays and safety hazards. Return clean, dry plastic bags to local grocery stores instead.
Separate Yard Debris
Keep grass clippings and leaves out of your regular trash and recycling carts. Mixing yard waste with standard garbage is prohibited; always use dedicated Kraft paper bags.
Keep Electronics Out of Carts
TVs, computers, and other electronics contain heavy metals and are legally banned from Illinois landfills. Do not try to hide them in your trash—schedule a special pickup or use an e-waste drop-off site.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Fall
October - December; AprilGroot collects yard waste bags containing leaves for free (no sticker required) during a two-week period in the Spring and a six-week period in the Fall. Exact dates are announced annually.
Winter
JanuaryChristmas trees are collected during the first two full weeks of January. Trees must be free of all decorations, bags, and stands. Wreaths with wire frames must be stickered as regular trash.
Winter
December - MarchDuring significant snowfall, keep trash carts at the end of your driveway rather than in the street to allow city plows to clear snow safely and efficiently.
About Aurora Waste Management
Understanding Aurora's Volume-Based Trash Program
The City of Aurora utilizes a volume-based Cart Program serviced by Groot. Residents can choose from three different trash cart sizes tailored to their household's needs. Any extra refuse that does not fit into your designated cart must have a $2.75 waste sticker attached to each 32-gallon container or bag. This flexible system ensures that you only pay for the amount of waste you generate while keeping Aurora's neighborhoods clean.
Unlimited Curbside Recycling in the City of Lights
Aurora strongly encourages sustainability by providing unlimited recycling collection to all residents. Homeowners are issued either a 35-gallon or 65-gallon lidded recycling cart. If you have more recyclables than your cart can hold, you can place them in additional containers (up to 25 gallons) next to your cart without needing any stickers. Keep all items loose and free of plastic bags to prevent sorting issues at the facility.
Special Waste Programs for Seniors and Low-Volume Users
To make waste disposal more affordable, Aurora offers unique alternatives for specific groups. Seniors aged 65 and older can opt for a special 14-gallon orange bag program, which costs just $1.70 per bag, rather than paying full cart rates. Additionally, a low-volume option is available for households producing minimal trash, providing refuse collection every other week in a specially marked 35-gallon cart.
Managing Yard Waste and Bundled Brush
Yard waste collection in Aurora runs from the first Monday in April through the first Friday in December. Standard yard debris must be placed in 30-gallon Kraft paper bags with a $2.75 waste sticker attached. However, the city provides free bundled brush collection from April through early November, and free leaf pickup periods (typically two weeks in spring and six weeks in fall) where no stickers are required.
Disposing of Electronics and Household Hazardous Materials
Illinois state law strictly bans electronics and household hazardous waste (HHW) from being disposed of in standard landfills. Aurora residents cannot place items like TVs, computers, motor oil, or oil-based paint in their curbside carts. Instead, the city coordinates periodic electronics recycling drop-off events and works with A-Team Recyclers to offer a convenient front-door electronics collection service.
Drop-off Facilities
A-Team Recyclers
Chicagoland Area (Front door pickup offered for Aurora)
Materials Accepted
City of Aurora Customer Service Center
3770 McCoy Dr, Aurora, IL
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the senior trash bag program work in Aurora?
Seniors 65 and older can opt to use special 14-gallon orange bags instead of a standard trash cart. These bags cost $1.70 each and are sold in rolls of 20 for $34.00 at local retailers like Jewel and Ace Hardware. Seniors enrolled in this program still receive a free recycling cart with weekly service.
When are Christmas trees collected by Groot?
Groot collects Christmas trees for free during the first and second full weeks of January. Trees must be completely bare—no ornaments, tinsel, lights, stands, or plastic bags. Trees taller than 8 feet cannot be collected unless special arrangements are made.
Where can I buy waste stickers for extra garbage and yard waste?
Waste stickers cost $2.75 each and are required for bulk items, yard waste, and excess trash that doesn't fit in your cart. You can purchase them at Aurora City Hall, the Customer Service Center on McCoy Drive, and various local grocery stores (such as Jewel and Meijer) and hardware stores.
Do I need to buy a waste sticker for bundled brush?
No, the City of Aurora offers free bundled brush collection from April through the first Friday in November. Branches must be 1/2 to 4 inches in diameter, cut to 2-4 feet in length, and securely bundled. Bundles cannot exceed 50 pounds. However, brush smaller than 1/2 inch is considered yard waste and requires a Kraft bag and a sticker.