Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Bloomington
Trash Day
Garbage is collected weekly, Monday through Friday, based on your assigned route.
Recycling
Collected every other week on the same day as your garbage pickup.
Yard Waste
Leaves, brush, and garden trimmings are collected curbside every other week on the alternating week from your recycling pickup.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (and no earlier than 2:00 PM the day before).
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste and recycling cart fees are billed each month as part of your City of Bloomington combined municipal utility bill alongside water, sewer, and stormwater services.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Pay by Text, Phone, Mail, Drop Box, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
The city offers a Low-Income Refuse and Water Fee Discount Application for eligible households, as well as medical assistance exemptions for cart placement.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Welcome to Bloomington's Solid Waste Program
The City of Bloomington provides a comprehensive solid waste program designed to keep local neighborhoods clean while promoting environmental sustainability. Unlike many communities, the city operates a weekly schedule for standard garbage collection, while single-stream recycling is collected every other week. Residents can utilize the helpful Recycle Coach app or visit recyclebn.org to check accepted materials or verify collection weeks. It is important to remember that all related solid waste charges are conveniently billed on your monthly municipal utility statement rather than requiring a separate subscription to a private hauler. By following the established rules for bin management, yard waste, and bulk materials, residents help maintain the beauty and safety of Bloomington.
Cart Placement and Timings
Adhering to the city’s strict cart placement rules helps the automated collection trucks operate safely and efficiently. You may place your carts at the parkway or the end of your driveway no earlier than 2:00 p.m. on the day before your scheduled collection. Bins must be out by 6:00 a.m. on your pickup day to guarantee service. Position the carts so the lid arrows point directly toward the street, ensuring they are entirely closed—overloaded carts with open lids will not be serviced. Furthermore, keep the containers at least four feet away from any obstacles like mailboxes or trees, and at least ten feet away from parked vehicles. Once emptied, bins must be removed from the curb by 9:00 a.m. the following day and stored out of street view.
Brush, Leaves, and Yard Trimmings
Managing seasonal landscaping debris is easy with Bloomington’s dedicated curbside collection. Yard waste, which includes leaves, brush, and garden trimmings, is picked up every other week on the same schedule as your recycling. To ensure successful collection, leaves may be placed in biodegradable paper bags, stored in open containers weighing less than 35 pounds and under 33 gallons, or piled loosely on the parkway in piles under three feet tall. Brush and branches must be cut to lengths of no more than six feet and stacked neatly. There is no additional cost for standard yard waste collection, as the service is completely covered by your monthly cart fee.
Managing Bulk Waste Materials
When you have large items that will not fit into your standard garbage cart, the city provides a bi-weekly bulk waste pickup service that alternates with recycling. This includes furniture, basement cleanouts, and basic interior remodeling debris. The program allows for the collection of your first 'loader bucket' (approximately 2.5 cubic yards) at no extra cost, as it is included in your monthly fees. If your pile exceeds this volume during a single collection week, a $30 fee will be assessed for each additional loader bucket required. Remember to keep bulk piles separate from brush and away from parked cars.
Utilizing the Citizen Convenience Center
For residents who prefer not to wait for their scheduled curbside pickup, the Citizen Convenience Center offers a fantastic alternative. Located at 402 S. East Street, just south of the Bloomington Public Library, this drop-off facility is exclusively available to active Solid Waste Program customers. You can drop off garden trimmings, leaves, grass clippings, appliances, and even empty propane tanks (with valves removed). Commercial vehicles and contractors are strictly prohibited from using the center. Keep in mind that the facility is closed on Sundays, Mondays, municipal holidays, and for the winter season from January 1 through March 31.
Holiday Schedules and Missed Pickups
The Public Works Department works diligently to maintain the regular pickup routine throughout the year. However, services are typically paused for major municipal holidays, most notably Christmas Day. During such weeks, collections may be delayed by one day. If your carts were placed out on time but were inadvertently skipped, you can easily report a missed collection by contacting the Public Works office at (309) 434-2220 or by submitting a report through the city's online portal.
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
How often is recycling picked up in Bloomington, IL?
While standard household garbage is collected weekly, the City of Bloomington collects curbside recycling every other week. You can download the 2026 Garbage and Recycling Calendar online to see your specific week.
Is there a fee for bulk waste collection in Bloomington?
The first 2.5 cubic yards (one loader bucket) of bulk waste is included in your monthly solid waste fee. If your debris pile requires a second or subsequent loader bucket, you will be charged a $30 fee per additional bucket.
Who is allowed to use the Bloomington Citizen Convenience Center?
The facility is strictly for current Solid Waste Program customers residing in the city. Businesses, contractors, and individuals in commercial vehicles are not permitted to dump materials there.