Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Chicago Heights
Trash Day
Weekly pickup runs Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Every other week on your designated trash collection day.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your regular collection day during the seasonal pickup period (April through November).
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash and recycling fees are billed directly through the City of Chicago Heights water and utility bill, with payments due within 15 days of billing.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Drop Box, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizens aged 65 and older living in owner-occupied single-family homes can receive a 50% discount on garbage pickup and 20% off water usage.
Typically Blue or Green cart (Republic Services) Bin (Trash)
Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day. Ensure all loose trash is bagged inside the cart to prevent litter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Soiled paper products
Typically Blue cart with Light Blue Lid (Republic Services) Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely into the cart without plastic bags. Clean and rinse all food and beverage containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper and mail
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable kraft paper bags or in a specialized yard waste tote provided by Republic Services. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for yard waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs
- ✓Garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (One item per collection day)
Placement
Place the single bulk item at the curb by 7:00 AM on your collection day. A pink tag may be applied by the driver indicating a later truck will collect it.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Carpeting (cut to 4-foot lengths, rolled, tied, max 16-inch diameter)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and monitors
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Computer hard drives
One item per week is included at no extra charge. Tires and heavy construction materials must be disposed of privately at facilities like K & S Tire Recycling.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on or before your regularly scheduled pickup day, your refuse and recycling services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active collection season, yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, your standard weekday collection schedule generally remains unaffected.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring & Summer
April - NovemberDuring the active growing season, yard waste must be handled correctly. If you generate a lot of grass clippings, calling Republic Services to order a dedicated yard waste tote is highly recommended as a cost-effective alternative to paper bags.
Autumn
October - NovemberDuring heavy leaf fall, ensure all leaves are placed in biodegradable bags or your yard waste tote. Never rake leaves directly into the street, as this clogs neighborhood storm drains.
Winter
December - FebruaryDuring severe winter weather or heavy snowfalls, Republic Services may delay collection routes. Routes are typically pushed back one day in the event of extreme weather or road closures.
Local Tips & Community Info
Curbside Garbage Solutions Managed by Republic Services
Keeping the neighborhoods of Chicago Heights clean is a shared community effort [1.1.1]. Republic Services is the designated hauler for all residential solid waste and recycling collection within the city limits. Homeowners are provided with durable rolling carts designed for automated trucks, which helps streamline the weekly pickup process. Make sure to wheel your bins out to the parkway early on your scheduled collection morning to prevent any missed stops. Always double-check that the lids are fully shut to deter local wildlife and prevent windblown litter from cluttering our streets.
Guidelines for Yard Debris and Brush Bundling
Taking care of your lawn or garden generates plenty of organic waste, and Chicago Heights has strict guidelines to ensure it is collected efficiently. If you are trimming trees or bushes, the branches cannot exceed three inches in diameter or five feet in length. These limbs must be securely tied with twine into manageable bundles that a single worker can easily lift. Loose leaves and grass clippings should be placed in designated landscape bags. Remember that dirt, rocks, and large tree stumps are never accepted as yard waste and will be left behind by the haulers.
Disposing of Heavy Junk and Wet Paint
When tackling a garage cleanout or moving out of a home, you might encounter large or heavy items that simply do not fit in a standard trash bin. For general household junk, loose materials must be boxed or securely bundled with twine and weigh under 100 pounds per item. If you have leftover liquid paint from a recent renovation, you cannot toss the wet can into the garbage. Homeowners must dry out latex paint until it reaches a completely solid state, which is often achieved by stirring in cat litter or sand. Once completely hardened, you can leave the lid off and place the dried can in your regular refuse cart.
Handling Electronics and Hazardous Materials
Illinois state regulations strictly ban electronic waste and household hazardous chemicals from entering traditional landfills. This means that televisions, computers, printers, and stereos cannot be collected during your standard weekly Republic Services pickup. Similarly, items like motor oil, propane tanks, fluorescent bulbs, and asbestos materials require specialized drop-off events or hazardous waste facilities. Residents are encouraged to monitor the official Chicago Heights municipal website for seasonal disposal drop-off days, which offer a safe and legal way to discard these tricky household materials.
Drop-off Facilities
K & S Tire Recycling
1645 State Street, Chicago Heights, IL 60411
Materials Accepted
City of Chicago Heights Resident Services
1601 Chicago Road, Chicago Heights, IL 60411
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I throw away liquid paint in my regular garbage?
No, canned paint must be completely dried into a solid state. You can remove the lid and use kitty litter or a commercial hardener before tossing it out.
How do I prepare tree branches for yard waste pickup?
Brush must be bundled with twine, restricted to branches smaller than three inches in diameter and five feet in length. Bundles must be light enough for one person to carry.
Will my trash still be picked up on a national holiday?
If your scheduled collection falls on or after a major holiday, your pickup will typically be delayed by one calendar day for the remainder of that week.