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.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Garbage, sewer, and water charges are conveniently consolidated onto a single city utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior Garbage Discount Program provides discounted rates for owner-occupied households with residents age 63 and older (requires annual renewal). Additional utility assistance is available through CEDA.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Navigating Berwyn's Alley-Based Collection System
Because of its historic, densely packed grid of classic Chicago-style bungalows, refuse collection in Berwyn looks a bit different than in sprawling suburbs. The vast majority of homes utilize alleyway pickup rather than front-curb service. Waste Management, the city's contracted hauler, runs these routes weekly. Residents must ensure their city-issued carts are placed flat against the alley line by 6:00 a.m. on their designated morning. It is critical that your bins do not block neighbor's garage doors or obstruct the narrow alley passage, as the automated trucks need sufficient clearance to safely lift and empty the containers.
Standardized Waste Management Carts and Rules
Every residential property is equipped with heavy-duty garbage and recycling carts designed for automated lifting. To guarantee a successful pickup, the lids on your bins must be completely closed. Overstuffed carts with refuse spilling over the top will likely be bypassed by the drivers to prevent alley litter. If you find that your household consistently produces more trash than your cart can hold, you can reach out to the Berwyn Public Works Department to inquire about leasing an additional container for a supplemental annual fee.
Mastering the Single-Stream Recycling Program
Berwyn makes environmental sustainability straightforward with a single-stream recycling approach. This means you do not need to separate your glass, plastics, and paper into different bins. Simply rinse out food containers and toss them loosely into your designated recycling cart. A major rule to remember is that plastic grocery bags are strictly prohibited in the recycling stream. When residents bag their recyclables, the thin plastic wraps around the sorting machinery at the processing facility, causing massive equipment jams and halting operations.
Handling Yard Waste During the Growing Season
When spring arrives and lawn care begins, Berwyn activates its seasonal yard waste program, which typically runs from early April through the very end of November. Grass clippings, leaves, and plant trimmings must be disposed of in biodegradable, 30-gallon Kraft paper bags. Alternatively, you can use a standard rigid garbage can, provided it is clearly marked with a large 'Yard Waste Only' decal facing the alley. If you have trimmed bushes or trees, the branches must be bundled tightly with biodegradable string, kept under four feet long, and weigh less than 50 pounds.
Electronics and Heavy Bulk Item Disposal
Illinois state law absolutely forbids throwing electronics like old flat-screen televisions, computers, or video game consoles into a landfill. Berwyn residents should utilize local e-waste drop-off events often hosted near the Public Works garage. For standard large household items, such as an old mattress or a broken dining chair, Waste Management allows the disposal of one heavy bulk item per week. Simply place the item neatly next to your garbage cart in the alley on your normal service day.
Drop-off Facilities
SBC Waste Solutions Headquarters
2401 W Gardner Rd, Broadview, IL 60155
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a parked car blocks my garbage cart in the alley?
If an illegally parked vehicle or construction equipment blocks the truck's access to your bins, the driver will not be able to empty them. You must wait until the following week or contact Waste Management to see if a courtesy recovery is possible.
Does the city pick up trash on major holidays?
Waste Management observes six major holidays, including Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If your regular alley collection falls on or after the holiday, your service will be pushed back by one day for the remainder of that week.
Are paint cans allowed in my regular garbage bin?
You can only dispose of latex paint in your regular trash if it is completely dried out. You can speed up this process by mixing the liquid paint with kitty litter or sand until it hardens. Oil-based paints are hazardous and must be taken to a specialized facility.