Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Buffalo Grove
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.
WM Issued Cart (Green or Grey) Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day with the wheels against the curb. Keep carts at least 3 feet away from parked cars, mailboxes, and other obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste (if not utilizing the compost program)
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Textiles (if unusable)
WM Issued Cart (Typically Green with Yellow Lid) Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the cart. Do not bag your recyclables. Do not overfill the container; the lid must close tightly.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- ✓Office paper, newspaper, and mail
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Loose plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam containers
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Use 32-gallon kraft paper bags or a rigid container marked with an 'X' or a village organics decal. Bundles of brush must be under 4 feet and 45 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Landscape waste (grass, leaves, weeds)
- ✓Produce, bread, pasta, and grains
- ✓Meat, fish, poultry, and bones
- ✓Dairy products and eggshells
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (One item per week)
Placement
Place your single bulk item at the curb next to your refuse carts by 6:00 a.m. on your normal collection day, ensuring it is 3 feet away from the bins.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Small household furniture
- ✓ Chairs and couches
- ✓ Rolled and tied carpet (cut to manageable lengths)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition waste
- ✕ Auto parts and tires
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil, cleaners)
- ✕ Unscheduled white goods and electronics
The first bulk item each week is free. For any additional oversized items, residents must contact WM in advance to make special payment and scheduling arrangements.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day (e.g., Thursday service moves to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
During the active season (April to mid-December), organic and yard waste collections are delayed exactly alongside the standard refuse schedules.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, your weekday collection schedule will not experience any delays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Dirt and Sod Out of Organics
When weeding your garden or doing minor landscaping, make sure to shake the topsoil off your plant roots. Dirt, stones, and sod are strictly prohibited from the organic waste stream and will cause your yard waste bags to be rejected.
Leave Loose Plastic Bags at the Grocery Store
Never place your clean recyclables into plastic garbage bags. Loose plastic bags wrap around sorting machinery at the WM recycling facility, causing severe processing delays. Instead, keep items loose in your cart and return film plastics to local retail drop-offs.
Schedule Electronics Separately
With the 'At Your Door' program covering e-waste at no extra cost, there is zero excuse to hide old phones, batteries, or laptops in your blue recycling bin. Batteries are a major fire hazard for collection trucks and must always be handled via the special home collection.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Fall
April - DecemberThe mixed organics and yard waste collection season officially runs from April 1 through December 15. During the peak winter months, no organic waste or food scraps will be collected at the curb.
Fall
October - NovemberWhile you can bag your leaves in 32-gallon yard waste bags, Buffalo Grove ordinances strictly prohibit raking or blowing leaves directly into the streets or storm sewers, as this causes localized neighborhood flooding.
Winter
December - MarchWhen heavy snow strikes Buffalo Grove, ensure your garbage and recycling carts are placed at the end of your shoveled driveway rather than out in the street, preventing interference with village snowplow operations.
About Buffalo Grove Waste Management
The 2026 Updates to Buffalo Grove's Waste Management Program
Buffalo Grove residents benefit from a highly comprehensive waste collection contract with Waste Management (WM). With updated residential rates taking effect on May 1, 2026, the village's standard service tier remains incredibly robust. It includes weekly refuse, recycling, and seasonal yard waste collection, alongside the removal of one free bulk item per week. Homeowners can customize their service by choosing between 96-gallon, 64-gallon, and 35-gallon carts to match their household's specific volume needs without relying on cumbersome refuse stickers.
The Incredible 'At Your Door' Special Collection Service
In light of the Illinois state law effective January 1, 2026, which strictly requires the proper recycling of hazardous items like paint and batteries, Buffalo Grove offers an exceptionally convenient solution. Built directly into your monthly utility rate is WM's 'At Your Door' (AYD) special collection service. Residents can call (800) 449-7587 to request a specialized pickup kit for difficult-to-recycle items, such as televisions, old computers, motor oil, and household chemicals. A specialized vehicle will then collect these hazardous materials directly from your porch or driveway.
Co-Mingled Organics and Food Scrap Composting
As part of its aggressive sustainability initiatives, Buffalo Grove allows residents to mix organic food waste directly with their standard yard clippings. Between April 1st and December 15th, acceptable food scraps—including meat, poultry, dairy products, bread, and vegetable peels—can be placed into your yard waste container. Simply mark your rigid yard waste bin with a large 'X' or obtain a special organics decal from the Village Hall so WM drivers know it contains compostable materials.
Free Brush and Branch Collection Rules
While grass clippings and leaves require containment in 32-gallon kraft paper bags or designated rigid bins, Buffalo Grove offers free curbside collection for bundled woody debris. Branches and limbs under three inches in diameter can be tied together with biodegradable twine or string. These bundles must not exceed four feet in length, two feet in diameter, or 45 pounds. Be sure to stack them in the parkway with the thick ends facing the street to ensure safe and swift removal by WM crews.
Drop-off Facilities
Buffalo Grove Village Hall
50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away hazardous chemicals or old TVs in Buffalo Grove?
You can utilize WM's 'At Your Door' special collection service, which is already included in your monthly refuse rate. Simply call (800) 449-7587 to request a collection kit and schedule a home pickup for electronics, paint, and chemicals.
What time should I put my garbage carts out for collection?
WM requires all refuse, recycling, and yard waste containers to be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. Be sure to keep them at least three feet apart from each other and away from parked cars.
Can I compost meat and dairy in Buffalo Grove?
Yes, between April 1 and December 15, Buffalo Grove allows residents to mix food scraps, including meat, fish, poultry, and dairy, into their yard waste bins. Ensure your rigid bin is marked with an 'X' or an official village organics decal.
How do I dispose of an old mattress or a large piece of furniture?
Buffalo Grove residents are allowed to set out one free oversized bulk item per week. Simply place the mattress or piece of furniture at the curb next to your trash cart by 6:00 a.m. on your normal pickup day. If you have more than one item, you must call WM to schedule a paid pickup.