Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Champaign
Trash Day
Trash collection days run Monday through Friday depending on your chosen licensed private hauler (such as ABC Sanitary, Illini Recycling, CR Disposal, Republic Services, or GFL Environmental).
Recycling
Curbside recycling is collected once per week on the same day as your trash service, provided at no additional charge by your chosen trash hauler.
Yard Waste
Yard waste collection is available through your private trash hauler for an additional fee, or organics can be brought to the local Landscape Recycling Center (LRC).
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
The City of Champaign does not provide direct municipal trash service; residents contract directly with and pay their licensed private waste hauler.
Billing Cycle
Monthly or Quarterly (varies by hauler)
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
Discounts vary by provider; some private haulers offer senior citizen rates upon request.
Varies by chosen private hauler (Commonly Blue, Green, or Black) Bin (Trash)
Set-out times, container placement rules, and weight limits are dictated by your contracted private hauler. Generally, trash should be bagged and securely tied before being placed inside the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Varies by chosen private hauler Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be clean, dry, and placed loosely inside the bin. Do not bag your recyclables in plastic garbage bags, as they jam sorting machinery.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paper
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7 (curbside)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled paper (e.g., greasy pizza boxes)
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Batteries
Yard Waste Bin
During city collections, materials must be in 30-gallon paper yard waste bags (no plastic). Branches must be bundled with non-metallic twine, under 2 inches thick, and no longer than 3.5 feet.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Plant materials
- ✓Twigs and small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment with your licensed hauler
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb only after confirming your scheduled pickup date with your private hauler. Keep items clear of sidewalks, street drainage, and low-hanging tree limbs.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Appliances (may require a separate fee)
- ✓ Carpeting (cut to specified lengths and rolled)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers, monitors)
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
- ✕ Liquid paint and motor oil
Fees vary strictly by which private company you have contracted. Some haulers allow one free bulk item per month, while others charge an additional fee per large item.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because Champaign uses a private hauler system, holiday schedules can vary slightly by company (WM, Republic, Illini, ABC Sanitary). Generally, if a major holiday falls on a weekday, service is delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
City-run yard waste collection weeks are prescheduled to avoid holidays, but if a weather delay occurs, crews work on consecutive days until the zone is finished.
Always check your specific private hauler's website or annual calendar to confirm exact holiday delay policies.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayThe city conducts its Spring Yard Waste Collection by dividing the city into Orange and Blue zones. Residents get two designated collection weeks to set out 30-gallon paper bags of yard debris at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on Monday.
Fall
October - NovemberSimilar to the spring program, the Fall Yard Waste Collection handles heavy leaf drops. Only Kraft paper bags are accepted, and bags must be kept 5 feet away from mailboxes, trees, or fire hydrants to allow easy truck access.
Winter
JanuaryChampaign Public Works offers free holiday tree collection shortly after New Year's Day. Trees must be completely bare, meaning no tinsel, lights, stands, wire, or plastic tree bags. Trees larger than typical residential sizes may not be accepted.
Local Tips & Community Info
Champaign's Privatized Refuse Framework
The City of Champaign does not operate a municipal sanitation fleet for weekly household garbage. Instead, residents, landlords, and property managers are responsible for contracting directly with one of several licensed private waste haulers operating within the region. This decentralized, open-market approach fosters competitive pricing and allows households to select a service tier that precisely matches their refuse output. Whether you live in a quiet subdivision or near the bustling university campus, securing a collection provider is a mandatory first step upon moving in.
Strict City Ordinances on Recycling
Even though the local waste market is privatized, municipal legislation heavily regulates environmental practices. Local ordinances strictly dictate that every licensed hauler must offer recycling services to their residential customers as part of standard service. When you establish your contract, your chosen provider is legally obligated to supply a designated recycling bin. Haulers are required to accept core materials, including aluminum cans, clean paper, flattened cardboard, and basic rigid plastics, keeping thousands of tons of reusable materials out of regional landfills.
Timing and Container Regulations
To maintain clean neighborhoods and prevent litter from blowing across streets, the local government enforces specific cart placement timelines. Trash receptacles and recycling bins must not be placed at the curb any earlier than 6:00 p.m. on the evening prior to your scheduled pickup. Furthermore, once your hauler has serviced the property, all empty containers must be removed from the public parkway and safely stored near your residence by 10:00 a.m. the day following collection.
City-Sponsored Yard Waste Sweeps
While everyday lawn clippings can be handled by your private hauler for an additional fee, the municipal Public Works Department hosts massive seasonal collection drives to support homeowners. During the designated spring and fall leaf collection periods, Champaign is divided into specific operational zones. Residents located within an active zone can place leaves and organic yard waste in paper Kraft bags at the curb for free municipal pickup, bypassing the need to coordinate with their private garbage company.
Disposing of E-Waste and Bulky Furniture
Because the city experiences a massive annual turnover of residents due to the local university, bulky item disposal is a major priority. You must arrange for large furniture pickups, such as mattresses or couches, directly with your contracted hauler, which typically involves scheduling a special route and paying an extra fee. For old electronics, televisions, and hazardous chemicals, residents are encouraged to participate in the county-wide environmental collection events hosted periodically throughout the year to ensure safe, compliant disposal.
Drop-off Facilities
Landscape Recycling Center
1210 E. University Ave, Urbana, IL 61802
Materials Accepted
Illini Recycling Drop-Off
420 Paul Ave, Champaign, IL 61820
Materials Accepted
Mervis Recycling
3008 N. Cunningham Ave, Urbana, IL 61802
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage collection in Champaign?
Refuse collection in Champaign is fully privatized. Residents must independently hire a city-licensed private waste hauler of their choosing to service their property.
When is the municipal leaf pickup?
The Public Works Department conducts specialized leaf and yard waste sweeps during the spring and fall. The specific dates rely entirely on which zone your neighborhood is assigned to.
How long can my trash cans sit at the curb?
Carts cannot be placed out before 6:00 p.m. the day before collection and must be retrieved from the curb by 10:00 a.m. the day after your hauler empties them.