Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Buffalo Grove
Trash Day
Trash is collected once weekly, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Collected once weekly on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your regular trash day from April 1 through December 15.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste and recycling services in Buffalo Grove are contracted through Waste Management (WM), which includes one free weekly bulk item pickup and curbside hazardous/electronics collection via the At Your Door program.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
A 10% discount on refuse and recycling collection rates is available for senior citizens (age 65+).
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Waste Management (WM) Services in Buffalo Grove
Homeowners in Buffalo Grove benefit from a comprehensive sanitation program provided by Waste Management (WM). Depending on your family's daily needs, you can select from 35, 64, or 96-gallon refuse carts. One strict regulation for WM customers here is that all garbage must be securely bagged before being tossed into the cart; loose household trash can result in a skipped pickup. Your standard monthly rate already covers weekly solid waste and recycling collection, ensuring your household stays clean and compliant with the latest 2026 environmental standards.
Timings and Cart Positioning
Punctuality is essential for efficient neighborhood collection routes. All WM carts must be wheeled out to the street by 6:00 a.m. on your specific service day. When positioning your bins, ensure the wheels are touching the curb and facing your home. Because the trucks utilize automated mechanical arms, you must leave a minimum three-foot radius of clear space around each bin, keeping them safely away from mailboxes, parked vehicles, and streetlights. After the trucks have serviced your block, all containers must be removed from the curb by the end of the same day.
The At Your Door (AYD) Special Collection
A standout feature for Buffalo Grove residents is the At Your Door (AYD) program, which is fully included in your standard monthly refuse rate. Instead of hauling items to a county drop-off facility, you can easily schedule home pickups for difficult-to-recycle and hazardous materials like old televisions, laptops, paint, and household chemicals. By calling WM directly, you will be mailed a specialized collection kit. Simply pack your hazardous items according to the provided instructions and set them out before 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled AYD collection date.
Organics and Seasonal Landscape Debris
From April 1st through December 15th, landscape waste collection runs concurrently with your regular recycling day. Residents are encouraged to use standard 32-gallon kraft paper bags or rigid 32-gallon unlined bins marked with an official Village organics decal. Buffalo Grove allows organic food scraps—including meat, dairy, bones, and vegetables—to be mixed directly with yard waste for composting. If you have loose twigs and branches under three inches in diameter, you can bundle them with biodegradable twine for free pickup, as long as they stay under four feet in length and weigh less than 45 pounds.
Disposing of Furniture and Bulk Items
Getting rid of heavy household goods does not have to be a logistical nightmare. Every single-family household is entitled to discard one oversized bulk item per week entirely free of charge. This means you can leave an old desk, couch, or mattress right next to your bins on your normal service day. However, if you are doing a major spring cleanout and have multiple oversized items to discard at once, you must contact Waste Management ahead of time to coordinate and pay for the additional removals.
Navigating National Holidays
The garbage haulers observe six primary holidays throughout the calendar year: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Whenever one of these recognized holidays lands on a weekday, the remaining pickups for that week will be pushed back exactly one day, which extends the usual collection schedule into Saturday. Regular timing resumes the following Monday.
Drop-off Facilities
Buffalo Grove Village Hall
50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put kitchen food scraps into my yard waste bin?
Yes. From April 1 to December 15, Buffalo Grove residents can mix organic food scraps like produce, meat, bones, and food-soiled paper products in a 32-gallon rigid container marked with a Village organics decal.
Does WM pick up old electronics and paint curbside?
Yes, through the At Your Door (AYD) program. You must call WM to schedule this service. They will mail you a special collection kit to safely package your hazardous waste and electronics for a scheduled home pickup.
How many large items can I throw out for free?
Buffalo Grove households are permitted to place one oversized bulk item at the curb each week at no extra charge. Any additional bulky items require contacting WM directly to arrange a paid pickup.