Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Chicago
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.
Black (96-gallon Super Cart) Bin (Trash)
All residential trash must be bagged and securely placed inside the lidded Black Cart. Pickup occurs weekly, Monday through Friday, based on your grid schedule.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Empty aerosol cans
- ✓Styrofoam
Blue (96-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected every other week. All items must be loose (unbagged), empty, and reasonably clean. Do not bag recyclables in plastic.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, tubs, and jars (#1, #2, #5)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Tanglers (wires, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not put yard waste in the Black or Blue carts. Residents must bag yard debris separately and request a special pickup by calling 311. Service runs April 1st to November 30th.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Brush and branches
- ✓Shrubbery clippings
- ✓Garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By request
Placement
Items must be carried to the alley or curb depending on your regular collection point. They must be easily accessible for city crews.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major appliances (washers, dryers)
- ✓ Refrigerators (doors must be removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions
- ✕ Computers and monitors
- ✕ Household chemicals
- ✕ Construction debris
There is no extra fee for bulk pickup for residents living in single-family homes or multi-unit buildings (up to four units) serviced by the DSS.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed city holiday falls on a weekday, garbage and recycling collections are typically delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is strictly collected via 311 request and may be slightly delayed during holiday weeks based on truck availability.
Because recycling is serviced every other week and divided into six distinct zones, a holiday might only disrupt the schedule of specific zones. Residents should check the DSS 2026 Blue Cart schedule map for exact zone disruptions.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep It Bagless
The number one cause of recycling contamination in Chicago is plastic bags. If you use a plastic bag to carry recyclables to your Blue Cart, empty the contents into the cart and dispose of the bag in the trash or take it to a grocery store for recycling.
Know Your Plastics
Chicago's Blue Carts only accept specific plastics: bottles, jars, and tubs labeled #1, #2, and #5. Avoid "soft" plastics, plastic utensils, straws, and produce containers, which belong in the Black Cart.
Clean Cardboard Only
Cardboard is highly recyclable unless it is saturated with food grease. The bottom of a greasy pizza box cannot be recycled and ruins other paper products in the bin. Tear the clean lid off for the Blue Cart and trash the greasy half.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Summer
April - NovemberThe city's dedicated yard waste collection trucks run actively during this period. Remember that you must explicitly request service via 311 for leaf, brush, or garden waste removal.
Fall
October - NovemberDuring peak leaf-drop season, the DSS dedicates extra resources to bagging and leaf collection trucks to help keep neighborhood storm drains clear. Bag leaves separately and request a 311 pickup.
Winter
JanuaryAfter the holidays, Chicago hosts annual Christmas tree recycling drop-off events across various city parks. Trees are chipped into mulch, which is later made freely available to residents. Trees must be completely bare of decorations.
About Chicago Waste Management
Mastering the Blue Cart: Chicago's Bagless Recycling Mandate
In Chicago, participating in the Blue Cart Recycling program means committing to bagless disposal. The Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) explicitly prohibits placing recyclable materials inside plastic bags, as these films wrap around mechanical gears at sorting facilities, causing major breakdowns. Residents must toss their paper, cardboard, cans, and approved plastics directly into their designated 96-gallon Blue Carts loose to ensure materials remain uncontaminated and efficiently processed.
Navigating Yard Waste Disposal Using the 311 System
Unlike standard weekly garbage collection, yard waste pickup in Chicago is not automatic. Between April 1st and November 30th, residents looking to dispose of grass clippings, leaves, and brush must formally submit a "Yard Waste Pick-up Request" by dialing 311 or using the city's 311 app. Dedicated city trucks are then dispatched to collect the separated yard debris, redirecting these organic materials away from landfills and turning them into nutrient-rich compost.
Grid Collection and the DSS Night Shuttle Program
Servicing over 600,000 households weekly requires monumental logistics. Chicago operates on a centralized Grid Garbage Collection system designed for route efficiency. To maximize daily pickup volumes, the DSS utilizes a unique "night shuttle" program. Instead of truck crews cutting their afternoon routes short to dump loads, they leave fully loaded trucks parked at the end of their shifts. Second-shift shuttle drivers then transport the waste to dump sites, drastically boosting the overall productivity of curbside sanitation crews.
Safe Disposal at the Household Chemicals and Computer Facility
Illinois law bans electronic waste and harsh chemicals from regular residential garbage carts. To serve Chicagoans safely, the city operates a dedicated, permanent Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility (HCCRF) located at 1150 N. North Branch Street. Open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the first Saturday of each month, this facility safely accepts everything from old laptops and TVs to oil-based paints, used motor oil, and expired pharmaceuticals at no cost to residents.
Free Bulky Item Removal for DSS Serviced Homes
Disposing of an old mattress, broken sofa, or dead refrigerator doesn't have to be a costly headache for single-family or small multi-unit households. The DSS offers complimentary bulky item pickup to its constituents. Simply dial 311 to schedule a collection. However, items must be carried out to the alley or curb, and residents are strictly required to remove the doors from large appliances like freezers before placing them outside to prevent entrapment hazards.
Drop-off Facilities
Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility (HCCRF)
1150 N. North Branch Street, Chicago, IL 60642
Materials Accepted
City Sponsored E-Waste Drop-Off Events
Various rotating citywide locations (Check chicagorecycles.org)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request a yard waste pickup in Chicago?
Yard waste is not automatically picked up with your weekly garbage. You must dial 311 or use the Chicago 311 mobile app to submit a "Yard Waste Pick-up Request." Place your grass clippings, branches, or leaves in separate bags in the alley or at the curb.
Why didn't the city empty my Blue Cart?
Your Blue Cart may be tagged and left uncollected if it contains contamination. Common reasons include bagging your recyclables in plastic garbage bags, throwing in greasy pizza boxes, or including hazardous materials. Ensure your recycling is unbagged, clean, and loose.
Will the Department of Streets and Sanitation take my old refrigerator?
Yes, the DSS provides free bulky item pickup for major appliances. However, you must first call 311 to schedule the collection, and you are legally required to remove the doors from refrigerators and freezers before placing them outside to prevent accidents.
Where can I safely dispose of old oil-based paint and dead laptops?
It is illegal to place electronics and hazardous chemicals in your black or blue carts. You must take them to the Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility (HCCRF) located at 1150 N. North Branch Street. It is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the first Saturday of each month.