Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Carol Stream
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Bag Maple Tar Spot Affected Leaves
If your maple trees show signs of Maple Tar Spot (a tar-like black spot fungus), the Village of Carol Stream requests that you do not mulch these leaves into your lawn, as it can spread the fungus. Instead, bag the affected leaves securely and place them out for stickered yard waste collection.
No Street Dumping for Leaves
During the fall season, the Village strongly reminds residents that raking or blowing leaves directly into the street is prohibited. Loose leaves clog storm sewer inlets, polluting local streams and causing street flooding. Always bag your leaves for curbside pickup or wait for the free leaf collection week.
Electronics Don't Go in the Toter
Do not throw electronic waste, such as old televisions or computers, into your standard refuse or recycling toters. Illinois law bans e-waste from landfills. Residents need to utilize designated e-waste drop-off programs in DuPage County instead of hiding them in their Flood Brothers carts.
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.
About Carol Stream Waste Management
Establishing Flood Brothers Service in Carol Stream
The Village of Carol Stream partners with Flood Brothers Disposal & Recycling Co. to manage residential garbage, yard waste, and single-stream recycling. As a new resident or homeowner, you must proactively set up your account by calling Flood Brothers directly at (630) 261-0400. Once registered, residents receive a 95-gallon refuse toter—recently updated with no monthly rental fee for the primary container—and curbside pickup occurs once a week on your designated neighborhood day. You can opt to rent an additional 95-gallon toter for just $3.50 per month.
Senior Refuse Discounts and Setup
The Village of Carol Stream prioritizes keeping utility and refuse costs affordable for its older population. Senior citizens can request a specialized application for a discounted refuse rate. To secure this reduced rate on your Flood Brothers bill, eligible seniors need to call the customer service line directly to begin the application process and receive a tailored rate structure for their weekly service.
Construction Debris and DIY Remodeling Rules
Taking on a DIY home remodeling project? Flood Brothers will collect minor construction debris like drywall, rocks, doors, paneling, and cabinets, provided they meet strict preparation guidelines. All debris must be placed in standard 32-gallon containers, bags, or boxes not exceeding 50 pounds. Carpet rolls are permitted but must be cut to four feet or less in length and up to eighteen inches in diameter. Be aware that construction debris collection carries a two-yard minimum charge, and residents must call Flood Brothers ahead of time for an exact estimate.
Free Autumn Leaf Pickup and Yard Waste Protocol
Managing autumn leaves in Carol Stream is convenient thanks to the Village's free leaf pickup week, usually aligning with the week of Thanksgiving. During this specific window, no yard waste stickers are required for leaf bags. For the rest of the seasonal collection period (running from early April through November), residents must affix a yard waste sticker—purchasable at Village Hall, Jewel-Osco, Caputo's, or Meijer—to every 32-gallon can or biodegradable kraft bag containing organic waste.
Strict Time Windows for Cart Placement
To keep Carol Stream's streets clean and free of roaming pests, the Village health ordinance strictly dictates when you can put your trash out. Residents must place their toters, yard waste, and recyclables at the curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the night before collection, and no later than 7:00 a.m. on the morning of their scheduled pickup. Flood Brothers is not responsible for missed pickups if materials are placed out after the 7:00 a.m. deadline.
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
Do I have to pay for bulk item pickup in Carol Stream?
Yes, Flood Brothers charges a fee per standard bulk item, such as mattresses or furniture. You must call (630) 261-0400 to get an estimate and schedule the pickup. However, major appliances (white goods) are collected at no charge, though they still require advanced scheduling.
Where can I buy yard waste stickers in Carol Stream?
You can purchase yard waste stickers at the Carol Stream Municipal Center, the Police Records Bureau (after hours), or at local retailers including the Jewel-Osco on Army Trail Rd, Caputo's Fresh Market, and the Bloomingdale Meijer.
Are there any free leaf pickup days?
Yes, the Village of Carol Stream typically offers two free leaf pickup weeks per year where yard waste stickers are not required. One usually occurs during the first week of April, and the other occurs during the week of Thanksgiving.
What time do I need to put my garbage out?
The Village health ordinance mandates that all refuse, recycling, and yard waste be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day, but no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the night before. Flood Brothers is not responsible for missed pickups if bins are placed late.