Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bloomington
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.
City-issued Cart (Black/Green lid) Bin (Trash)
Trash must fit inside the cart with the lid closed. Place the cart in the parkway or end of the driveway no earlier than 2:00 PM the day prior, and no later than 6:00 AM on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Securely contained medical sharps (in sealed hard plastic)
City-issued Cart (Blue lid) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables are picked up every other week. Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely in the cart. Carts must be 4 feet away from objects and 10 feet from parked cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper (cut to 4x4 feet max)
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Household garbage
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Collected bi-weekly (alternating with recycling). Leaves must be in biodegradable bags or 33-gallon cans under 35 lbs. Brush must be cut to 6-foot lengths. Piles must be separated by type.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush (trees, shrubs, bushes)
- ✓Trimmings (flowers, plants, pumpkins)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Every other week (alternating with recycling schedule)
Placement
Place items in the parkway no earlier than 2:00 PM the day prior. Keep piles 4 feet from carts/objects and 10 feet from parked vehicles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables, dressers)
- ✓ House clean-out items
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Interior remodeling debris (non-masonry)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics and televisions
- ✕ Concrete, rock, shingles, or brick
- ✕ Food waste
- ✕ Hazardous materials
If your bulk waste exceeds one loader bucket, the city will still collect it, but a $30 fee per additional bucket will be applied to your utility bill. Heavy masonry requires a custom paid estimate.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Regular curbside garbage is collected every week except for Christmas Day, which pushes service back. Other municipal holidays do not typically delay regular trash routes.
Yard Waste Exception
Unlike regular trash, the alternating bi-weekly bulk, brush, and yard waste collections are suspended on all recognized municipal holidays.
Because the bi-weekly bulk and recycling schedules can shift based on municipal closures, residents should refer to the official annual solid waste calendar to confirm their precise dates.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep the Blue Lid Garbage-Free
The city maintains a strict visual inspection protocol for recycling carts. If collection crews spot any standard household garbage, plastic grocery bags, or food waste inside a cart with a blue lid, they will tag it and refuse collection for that cycle.
Separate Your Yard Waste Streams
Do not mix all of your landscaping debris into one massive pile. The city requires that leaves, heavy brush, and standard garden trimmings be separated into distinct piles at the curb to facilitate the different collection trucks.
Ban Heavy Masonry from the Curb
Concrete, rock, brick, and roofing shingles are explicitly banned from standard bulk collection and the Citizen Convenience Center. For heavy masonry disposal, you must call Public Works at 309-434-2220 to schedule a specialized paid estimate.
Seasonal Information
Fall
November - DecemberTo handle the heavy autumn drop, Bloomington operates a specialized Fall Leaf Pickup program, typically running from November 1 to December 31. During this time, residents can place unbagged leaves in piles less than 3 feet tall at the curb.
Winter
January - MarchThe Citizen Convenience Center on S. East Street completely closes for the winter season from January 1 through March 31. Residents must wait for the spring reopening to drop off bulk items, or utilize the alternating bi-weekly curbside pickup.
Holidays
DecemberThe only holiday that consistently interrupts the standard weekly garbage collection schedule is Christmas Day. Other municipal holidays do not generally delay regular trash, but they will cause a suspension or shift in the bi-weekly yard waste and bulk schedules.
About Bloomington Waste Management
Navigating the Bi-Weekly Alternating Schedule
In Bloomington, standard household garbage is collected every week. However, the city utilizes a highly specific alternating bi-weekly schedule for all other waste streams. Recycling is picked up every other week. On the opposite weeks—when your recycling cart is not being serviced—the city collects bulk waste, leaves, brush, and garden trimmings. Residents should download the official 'Leaves, Brush, Trimmings, and Bulk Calendar' to track their designated rotation.
Exclusive Access to the Citizen Convenience Center
If you miss your alternating bulk pickup week, the City of Bloomington offers a fantastic free alternative. Solid Waste Program customers have exclusive access to the Citizen Convenience Center located at 402 S. East Street. Here, residents can drop off unlimited brush, leaves, garden trimmings, and even large household appliances at no extra charge. You must simply present your matching Bloomington utility bill and an Illinois ID to gain entry.
Understanding the 'Loader Bucket' Bulk Rule
Bloomington's bulk waste program calculates limits using a unique 'loader bucket' measurement. A single loader bucket equates to roughly 2.5 cubic yards of space. Your first loader bucket of bulk waste—such as furniture or basement clean-out items—is included in your monthly solid waste fee. If your bulk pile exceeds this amount and requires a second loader bucket, a $30 fee per additional bucket will be automatically added to your monthly utility bill.
Stickers Required for Extra Garbage Bags
All of your weekly household trash must fit entirely inside your 35, 65, or 95-gallon city-issued garbage cart with the lid completely closed. The city strictly enforces a no-loose-bag policy. If you generate extra garbage, you must purchase official $3 refuse stickers. These stickers can be bought at The Hub inside the Government Center or at the Bloomington Public Library. Simply adhere one sticker to each extra 35-pound bag and set it beside your cart.
Drop-off Facilities
Citizen Convenience Center (Solid Waste Program Customers Only)
402 S. East Street, Bloomington, IL 61701
Materials Accepted
Town of Normal Public Works (McLean County Electronics Drop-off)
1301 Warriner Street, Normal, IL 61761
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I have extra garbage that won't fit in my cart in Bloomington?
If you have extra household trash that exceeds the capacity of your 35, 65, or 95-gallon cart, you must purchase official $3 garbage stickers. Attach one sticker to each extra bag (up to 35 lbs) and place it next to your cart. Stickers can be purchased at The Hub (115 E. Washington St) or the Bloomington Public Library.
How do I throw away large items like couches or mattresses?
Bloomington collects bulk waste every other week, alternating with your recycling collection. You can place up to one 'loader bucket' (about 2.5 cubic yards) of bulky items at the curb for free. If you place more than one bucket's worth of items out, you will be charged a $30 fee per additional bucket on your utility bill.
Where can I recycle an old TV or computer in Bloomington?
Electronics are banned from curbside garbage and bulk collection. Fortunately, Bloomington residents can drop off electronics for free at the Town of Normal Public Works facility, located at 1301 Warriner Street in Normal. They accept TVs, computers, and monitors during weekday operating hours and on the first Saturday of the month.
Can I put my yard waste out any week of the month?
No. Bloomington operates on a strict alternating bi-weekly schedule for yard waste. Your leaves, brush, and garden trimmings will only be collected on the weeks when your recycling is NOT collected. During your off-weeks, you can utilize the free Citizen Convenience Center for yard waste drop-offs.