Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Carol Stream
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Same day as trash collection, collected weekly.
Yard Waste
Same day as trash collection, collected weekly from April through November.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day (and no earlier than 6:00 PM the night before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside waste collection is serviced and billed directly by Flood Brothers Disposal three times per year (in 4-month cycles), completely separate from Village water and sewer utility billing.
Billing Cycle
Tri-annually (every 4 months: January, May, September)
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Seniors age 65 and older living in their principal residence are eligible for a discounted monthly refuse rate through Flood Brothers by submitting an application with proof of age.
Green or Grey (Flood Brothers 95-gallon Toter) Bin (Trash)
Place your 95-gallon toter at the curb between 6:00 p.m. the night before and 7:00 a.m. the morning of collection. Extra trash must be properly containerized in bags or cans under 50 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food wrappers and packaging
- ✓Small broken household items
Blue or Green with designated lid (65-gallon Toter) Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loosely in the 65-gallon toter. Do not collect recyclables in plastic bags before tossing them in. Break down cardboard boxes to save space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard (flattened)
- ✓Office paper, newspaper, and mail
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Clear and colored glass containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam (polystyrene foam)
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
Yard Waste Bin
Use 32-gallon cans or kraft paper bags (max 50 lbs). Every bag, can, and bundle must have a yard waste sticker affixed. Sod, dirt, and holiday greenery are not accepted as yard waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Twigs and garden trimmings
- ✓Vines and garden plants
- ✓Bundled brush and logs (max 4 feet long, 2 feet diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Scheduled (Charge per item applies)
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your normal collection day after scheduling the pickup with Flood Brothers.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Tables, chairs, and bookcases
- ✓ Microwaves and furniture
- ✓ White Goods/Appliances (No Charge, but must be scheduled)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Unscheduled heavy construction debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste (paint, oil)
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
There is a charge per bulk item (e.g., mattresses, couches); residents must call (630) 261-0400 for an exact estimate. Interestingly, White Good Appliances are picked up at 'No Charge' but still require a call.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active collection season (April through November), yard waste collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard refuse.
If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is typically observed on Monday, delaying the entire week. Holidays falling on a Saturday do not affect the weekday pickup schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilCurbside yard waste collection officially resumes the first full week of April. The Village typically offers a sticker-free leaf pickup during this initial week to help clear out early spring yard debris.
Fall
NovemberTo assist with heavy fall foliage, the Village coordinates a free leaf pickup week, usually aligning with the week of Thanksgiving. No yard waste stickers are required during this specific collection window.
Summer
June - JulyDuring extreme summer heat waves, Flood Brothers may temporarily shift the start of residential refuse collection one hour earlier to 6:00 a.m. to protect sanitation workers. Always have carts out the night before.
Local Tips & Community Info
Flood Brothers Residential Waste Services
For residents of Carol Stream, comprehensive weekly garbage collection is managed exclusively through a partnership with Flood Brothers Disposal. Standard household refuse is collected once a week on your assigned neighborhood service day. Homeowners are encouraged to use official Flood Brothers 95-gallon toters, which can be requested by calling their main office at 630-261-0400. Whether you are using a standard bin or authorized prepaid refuse bags, all materials must be positioned at the curb early on the morning of your scheduled pickup to guarantee the drivers do not miss your address.
Recycling with Yellow-Lidded Carts
Participating in the local single-stream recycling effort is highly encouraged across the village. Carol Stream households are provided with designated yellow-lidded carts specifically for recyclable materials. You can freely toss in rinsed glass jars, aluminum cans, flattened cardboard boxes, and plastic jugs. Just make sure to keep contamination out of the cart; this means absolutely no plastic grocery bags, food-soiled pizza boxes, or hazardous chemicals. Keeping your recyclables loose inside the yellow-lidded container helps the sorting facilities operate efficiently and keeps environmental costs down.
Yard Waste Collection & Sticker Program
When the warmer months arrive, Flood Brothers begins weekly yard waste collection running from the first full week of April through the end of November. To dispose of grass clippings and leaves, residents must use 32-gallon reusable cans or biodegradable kraft paper bags. Every single bag or can requires an official Carol Stream yard waste sticker attached to it. Furthermore, containers cannot exceed a maximum weight of 50 pounds. If you are clearing out brush, branches must be tightly bundled with twine, restricted to four feet in length, and also require a sticker to be collected.
Bulk Household Items & Appliances
Getting rid of a broken washer or an old couch does not have to be a headache. Flood Brothers allows for the collection of bulky household items on your regular refuse day, provided you call them at least 24 hours in advance to get on the route schedule. Large appliances, often referred to as 'white goods' (like refrigerators, water heaters, and stoves), are picked up completely free of charge after making an appointment. For the safety of the sanitation workers, please note that any discarded mattress must be entirely sealed in protective plastic before it will be hauled away.
Construction Debris Guidelines
Undertaking a minor home remodel? You can dispose of small amounts of construction debris such as drywall, cabinetry, or carpet through your standard curbside service, but strict regulations apply. All loose debris must be contained within boxes or 32-gallon bins weighing under 50 pounds. Carpet must be cut down, rolled tightly, and secured in lengths no longer than four feet. Because construction waste is heavy, residents must contact Flood Brothers beforehand to arrange an estimate, as a minimum pick-up fee will apply based on the volume of materials being discarded.
Holiday Pick-up Schedule Shifts
Like most regional waste haulers, the local schedule will shift during major national holidays. If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday or Sunday, and your normal collection day lands on or after that holiday, your service will be pushed back by exactly one day. For example, if a holiday is on Monday, Friday customers will see their bins emptied on Saturday. It is always wise to double-check the village calendar during weeks with major federal holidays to avoid leaving carts out unnecessarily.
Drop-off Facilities
Carol Stream Municipal Center
500 N Gary Ave, Carol Stream, IL 60188
Materials Accepted
Flood Brothers Disposal Headquarters
17 W 609 14th Street, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage pickup services in Carol Stream?
Flood Brothers Disposal is the exclusive provider for residential refuse, recycling, and yard waste collection in the Village of Carol Stream.
Where can I purchase yard waste stickers in Carol Stream?
Yard waste stickers can be purchased at several local retailers, including Jewel Food Store on Army Trail Rd, Meijer, Valli Produce, and directly at the Carol Stream Village Hall.
How do I throw away an old mattress in Carol Stream?
You must call Flood Brothers at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a bulk pickup, and the mattress must be completely wrapped and sealed in plastic before being placed at the curb.