Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Chicago Heights
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
The most common issue at the recycling facility is plastic grocery and garbage bags. Always toss your paper, plastics, and glass loosely into your recycling cart, as plastic bags jam the sorting equipment.
Wrap Your Mattresses
To protect sanitation workers from bed bugs and pests, Republic Services strictly requires that any mattress or box spring placed out as a bulk item must be fully wrapped and sealed in plastic before collection.
Keep Electronics Out of the Cart
Televisions, computer monitors, and hard drives are banned from the standard waste stream in Illinois. If placed in your trash cart or left at the curb, they will be left behind.
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.
About Chicago Heights Waste Management
Dependable Residential Waste Services in Chicago Heights
The City of Chicago Heights partners with Republic Services to deliver reliable weekly garbage collection for all single-family neighborhoods. To ensure smooth operations, drivers begin their disposal routes promptly at 7:00 AM. Residents are provided with designated wheeled carts, which help keep Cook County streets clean and prevent litter from blowing out on windy days.
The Pink Tag Bulk Item System
Chicago Heights residents benefit from the convenience of discarding one bulk item per week on their regular garbage day. Republic Services employs a unique 'pink tag' system for oversized items. If a driver places a pink tag on your bulk item, it indicates that a specialized truck will collect it later that same day, or it will provide a specific reason why the item was rejected for non-compliance.
Proper Carpet and Mattress Prep
If you are renovating or upgrading furniture, strict preparation rules apply. Mattresses and box springs placed at the curb must be completely sealed in plastic to protect workers from potential bed bugs. Old carpeting must be cut into 4-foot lengths, tightly rolled, and bound, with each roll not exceeding 14 to 16 inches in diameter.
Yard Waste Disposal Alternatives
Maintaining your lawn during the growing season is easy with flexible yard waste options. Residents can place grass clippings and leaves into standard biodegradable kraft paper bags. Alternatively, for households generating significant seasonal debris, renting a dedicated yard waste tote directly from Republic Services provides an economical and durable alternative to purchasing endless paper bags.
Disposing of Tires and Prohibited E-Waste
Illinois state law prohibits electronic waste (like televisions, monitors, and hard drives) and auto tires from entering standard landfills. Republic Services will not collect these items at the curb. For tire disposal, residents can utilize local businesses like K & S Tire Recycling on State Street, ensuring harmful materials are diverted from the municipal waste stream.
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
What does a pink tag on my garbage mean in Chicago Heights?
Republic Services uses pink tags on bulk items. If you find a pink tag on your bulk waste, it either means a specialized truck will be by later that same day to pick it up, or the tag will indicate the specific reason the item was rejected (such as a mattress not being wrapped in plastic).
How do I throw away old carpeting?
Carpeting is accepted as a bulk item, but it must be properly prepared. You must cut it into 4-foot lengths, roll it up, and bind it securely. Each rolled bundle must not exceed 14 to 16 inches in diameter.
Will the city pick up my old TV or computer?
No. Televisions, computer monitors, and hard drives are strictly prohibited from curbside disposal. You must utilize an electronic waste recycling facility or special e-waste collection event to dispose of these items legally in Illinois.
What are my options for yard waste containers?
Yard waste can be placed in standard biodegradable kraft paper bags. As an economical alternative, residents can also contact Republic Services to order a specialized yard waste tote, eliminating the need to constantly buy paper bags.