Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Belvidere
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Thursday according to your ward (Ward 1 on Monday, Ward 2 on Tuesday, Ward 3 on Wednesday, and Ward 4 on Thursday).
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as your trash service.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your scheduled service day from April through mid-December.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Garbage and recycling services are contracted through Rock River Disposal and billed separately on a quarterly basis rather than on your city water bill.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone, Mail, Auto-Pay
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior discount rates are available upon request through Rock River Disposal.
95-gallon cart provided by Rock River Disposal Bin (Trash)
All primary trash must fit inside the 95-gallon cart. Any excess garbage can be placed in bags or personal cans (max 32 gallons, under 50 pounds) next to the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Soiled paper
65-gallon toter provided by Rock River Disposal Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is single-stream and unlimited. Items must be placed loose in the toter. Extra recyclables can be placed in a cardboard box or paper bag next to the toter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Active April through mid-December. Use kraft bags or 32-gallon cans marked with an 'X' (max 50 lbs). Branches must be bundled (max 3 feet long, 1 inch thick, 25 lbs). Limits apply depending on the month.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (One item per week for free)
Placement
Place your single allowed bulk item next to your 95-gallon trash cart on your regular collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Grills (without propane tanks)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Hazardous household waste
- ✕ Tires
Additional standard bulk items cost $35 each. Oversized items (requiring two people to lift) and white goods (appliances) cost $50 each and must be prepaid and pre-scheduled by calling 815-965-2489.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, all collection services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active collection season, yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, there is no service delay and your regular weekday collection schedule remains unchanged.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
April - SeptemberDuring the spring and summer landscaping months, Rock River Disposal enforces a strict limit of 5 yard waste bags, bundles, or marked cans per household per collection day.
Autumn
October - DecemberTo accommodate the heavy fall leaf drop, the yard waste limit is quadrupled. From October through mid-December, you may place up to 20 yard waste bags, bundles, or marked cans at the curb each week.
Winter (Post-Holidays)
JanuaryNatural Christmas trees are collected during the first two weeks of January. Please ensure all lights, tinsel, ornaments, and plastic tree disposal bags are completely removed before placing the tree at the curb.
Local Tips & Community Info
Exclusive Residential Collection with Rock River Disposal
Since June 2024, the City of Belvidere has designated Rock River Disposal as the sole licensed hauler for all residential solid waste. Every single-family household is equipped with a sturdy 95-gallon trash container, which typically holds up to seven standard kitchen bags. If your family generates extra refuse that exceeds the capacity of the provided bin, you are permitted to place the overflow in securely tied bags or personal metal and plastic cans. However, these supplemental containers must not exceed 32 gallons in volume or weigh more than 50 pounds. Should your primary cart become damaged, replacement totes can be requested for a $75 fee, or you can opt to rent a secondary tote for $60 annually.
Unlimited Household Recycling Program
Belvidere strongly supports environmental sustainability by offering unlimited curbside recycling. Residents utilize a specially designed 65-gallon toter to deposit all approved recyclable materials, including flattened cardboard, clean paper, glass jars, aluminum cans, and rigid plastics. It is strictly prohibited to use standard trash cans to store or set out recycling, as the automated trucks require the uniform 65-gallon bins for proper lifting and processing. Please ensure all items are loose inside the bin, completely free of any plastic grocery bags that might tangle the sorting machinery at the recycling center.
Seasonal Landscape Waste and Brush Rules
Maintaining your property is easy with the city's structured yard waste program, which operates from April through mid-December. During the spring and summer months (April to September), households are limited to a maximum of five bags, bundles, or marked cans of yard waste per collection day. To accommodate autumn leaf cleanup, this limit jumps to 20 units per pickup from October through December. All organic material must be placed in kraft paper bags or standard 32-gallon cans clearly marked with a large 'X'. Additionally, tree trimmings must be tied into bundles no longer than three feet, with individual branches remaining under one inch in diameter. No single bag, can, or bundle can exceed the 50-pound weight restriction.
Disposing of Large Furniture and White Goods
Getting rid of large household items is highly convenient in Belvidere. Rock River Disposal allows residents to throw away exactly one bulky item—such as a mattress, a standard chair, or a grill—per week at no additional cost. If you need to discard multiple pieces of furniture simultaneously, each additional bulky item will incur a $35 charge. Oversized objects that require more than one worker to lift safely are priced at $50 each and must be confirmed with dispatch ahead of time. White goods, including refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers, also carry a $50 prepaid fee and require a pre-scheduled pickup date.
Drop-off Facilities
Boone County Health Department (Guidance for E-Waste/HHW)
1204 Logan Ave, Belvidere, IL 61008
Materials Accepted
Rock River Disposal Transfer Station / Main Office
1125 N. 2nd Street, Rockford, IL 61107
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage pickup in Belvidere, and what do I do with extra trash?
Rock River Disposal is the exclusive residential hauler. Extra trash that does not fit in your 95-gallon cart can be placed in personal cans or bags that weigh less than 50 pounds and hold no more than 32 gallons.
How much yard waste am I allowed to throw away?
From April through September, the limit is 5 bags or bundles per collection. From October through December, the limit increases to 20 bags or bundles to help with seasonal leaf collection.
Do I have to pay to get rid of a washing machine or refrigerator?
Yes, large appliances known as white goods require a $50 fee per item. These must be paid for in advance and pre-scheduled directly with Rock River Disposal.