Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Berwyn
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.
95-Gallon SBC Toter Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be contained within the official 95-gallon SBC cart. Carts must be placed in the alley (or curb if designated) by 6:00 AM on collection day. Extra carts can be purchased for a one-time fee of $85.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Small non-hazardous household items
65-Gallon SBC Toter Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as trash. Do not put recyclables in plastic bags; leave them loose in the 65-gallon cart. Materials must be out by 6:00 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper and mail
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Rigid plastic containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords)
- ✕Food-soiled paper
Yard Waste Bin
Organics and yard waste are collected weekly from April 1st through December 31st. Use an official SBC organics toter or biodegradable paper bags. Bundled brush cannot exceed 4 feet in length or 50 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Tree branches
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Fruits and vegetables
- ✓Coffee grounds
- ✓Eggshells
- ✓Bread and grains
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly
Placement
Place your single bulk item directly next to your SBC carts in the alley (or at the curb) no earlier than the evening before your collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Box springs
- ✓ Desks
- ✓ Tables
- ✓ Carpet (cut to 4ft lengths, rolled, under 50lbs)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and computers
- ✕ Hazardous liquids (paint, oil)
- ✕ Automobile parts
- ✕ Bricks and concrete
- ✕ Propane tanks
Items that exceed the one-per-week limit or are exceptionally heavy/oversized may require a special collection fee. Contact SBC Waste Solutions for custom pickup quotes.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a Sunday through Friday, residential collection will be pushed back by one day for the remainder of the week. For example, a Thursday holiday means Thursday routes are picked up on Friday, and Friday routes on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular refuse and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday, there is absolutely no disruption to the normal Monday-Friday service schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep E-Waste Out of the Toter
By Illinois law, electronics like old laptops, televisions, and printers are banned from landfills. Tossing these into your 95-gallon trash cart will result in a rejected pickup. Instead, call SBC to schedule your free front-door e-waste collection.
Leave the Plastic Bags at the Store
Never bag your recyclables. Thin film plastics like grocery bags wrap around the gears at the sorting facility, causing entire municipal recycling batches to be ruined. Toss glass, metal, and paper loosely into your 65-gallon recycling cart.
Construction Debris Limits
While Berwyn allows minor DIY construction debris, overloading your bin with dense materials like concrete or placing more than one cubic yard of material out will halt your service. Ensure all carpet rolls and lumber are cut to under 4 feet and weigh less than 50 pounds.
Seasonal Information
Winter
Late December - JanuaryLive Christmas trees are collected for free starting the last week of December through the second full week of January. Trees must be completely stripped of lights, ornaments, and tinsel, and placed in your normal collection spot. Do not place trees in plastic disposal bags. Also, ensure your bins do not block designated snow routes during heavy winter storms.
Spring
AprilThe highly anticipated yard waste and organics collection season officially begins April 1st. This is the time to start setting out your grass clippings, spring pruning debris, and kitchen food scraps in either your designated organics cart or biodegradable kraft paper bags.
Fall
October - DecemberDuring peak autumn leaf drop, collection frequencies may increase to handle the volume. Never rake leaves directly into the street or gutters, as this clogs Berwyn's storm drains and exacerbates urban flooding. All leaves must be bagged in biodegradable paper or placed in organics toters.
About Berwyn Waste Management
Comprehensive Refuse Collection in the City of Homes
Berwyn operates a highly efficient residential waste program managed by SBC Waste Solutions Inc. Since the major cart rollout in 2024, every household utilizes standardized 95-gallon refuse and 65-gallon recycling toters designed for automated alley and curbside collection. This modernization helps maintain the historic charm of the 'City of Homes' by keeping alleys cleaner and significantly reducing rodent activity. All materials must be set out by 6:00 AM on your assigned collection day, which runs Monday through Friday.
A Rare Perk: Weekly Free Bulk Item Pickup
Unlike many neighboring Cook County municipalities that require expensive stickers or limit large waste removal to an annual spring cleanup, Berwyn residents enjoy one free bulk item pickup every single week. Whether you need to discard a mattress, a broken chair, or an old coffee table, you can simply place it next to your regular carts the night before your trash day. This consistent service drastically cuts down on illegal dumping and keeps neighborhood sightlines clear.
Robust Food Scraps and Organics Program
Illinois law strictly prohibits yard waste in landfills, and Berwyn has taken this a step further by merging yard debris with an advanced organics collection program. Running from April through December, residents can toss not just grass clippings and leaves, but also kitchen scraps—like fruit peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, and stale bread—straight into their yard waste bins. This proactive composting initiative significantly slashes methane emissions at local landfills.
Front-Door Hazardous Waste and E-Waste Removal
Disposing of old paint, household chemicals, and broken electronics used to be a headache. To prevent toxic materials from entering the waste stream, Berwyn offers a free, scheduled front-door collection for household hazardous waste (HHW) and e-waste. Instead of waiting for a rare county drop-off event, residents simply call SBC Waste Solutions to arrange a specialized pickup for items like televisions, pool chemicals, and garden pesticides directly from their property.
Accommodations for Seniors and Disabled Residents
Accessibility is a core focus of Berwyn's municipal services. For senior citizens or residents with disabilities who physically cannot roll their heavy 95-gallon toters to the alley or curb, SBC Waste Solutions provides an exclusive 'Backdoor Service.' Once registered through customer support, workers will manually retrieve refuse and recycling directly from the back door. Keep in mind, however, that bulk items and yard waste must still be placed in the alley.
Drop-off Facilities
SBC Waste Solutions Headquarters
2401 W Gardner Rd, Broadview, IL 60155
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old TV or computer in Berwyn?
Electronic waste cannot be thrown in your regular alley bins. Berwyn residents are entitled to a free front-door E-Waste and Household Hazardous Waste collection. Simply call SBC Waste Solutions at (312) 522-1115 to schedule a pickup directly from your home.
Can I throw food scraps in my yard waste bin?
Yes! Berwyn's organic waste program accepts a wide variety of kitchen scraps, including fruits, vegetables, eggshells, coffee grounds, bread, and pasta. These can be placed directly in your yard waste container from April 1st through December 31st.
Does Berwyn offer a backdoor garbage pickup service?
Yes, but it is strictly reserved for senior citizens and disabled residents who are physically unable to move the large toters. Eligible residents can call SBC to register for this backdoor service for trash and recycling. Yard waste and bulk items still require alley placement.
What are the rules for disposing of DIY construction debris?
Homeowners can dispose of small amounts of construction debris on their regular trash day. You can set out up to one cubic yard (equivalent to six 35-gallon containers). The material must not exceed 4 feet in length or 50 pounds per container/bundle. Carpet is accepted if cut into 4-foot rolls and tied.