Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Cicero
Trash Day
Weekly collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Collected every other week on your designated collection day.
Yard Waste
Collected on your regular scheduled pickup day.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Garbage, sewer, and water charges are combined and billed bi-monthly through the Town of Cicero Water Department.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Phone, In Person
Personal or Town-issued Alley/Curbside Cans Bin (Trash)
Trash must be securely bagged and placed in standard garbage cans. For homes with alley access, cans must be placed in the alleyway. Do not block the drivable path for sanitation trucks.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Small broken household items
Town-issued Blue Bags Bin (Recycling)
Use the free Blue Bags provided by the Town of Cicero for paper, plastic, and aluminum. Glass must be placed in a separate cardboard box to prevent injury to workers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind (must be boxed separately)
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Place loose yard waste in biodegradable paper bags or rigid containers up to 32 gallons. Branches must be bundled, no longer than 4 feet in length, and under 50 pounds per bundle.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Weeds and garden debris
- ✓Hedge trimmings and small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Ongoing, based on alley collection routes
Placement
Bulk waste must be placed neatly in the alley without blocking the thoroughfare for sanitation trucks or neighbors' garages.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household junk
- ✓ Flood-damaged debris (during declared events)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and wet paint
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Construction and demolition materials (without proper permits)
- ✕ Televisions and electronics
Standard household bulk items are collected at no extra charge by Public Works. However, major construction or remodeling debris requires private hauling or special arrangements.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a major observed holiday falls on a weekday, residential garbage and blue bag recycling collection will typically be pushed back one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active season (April-November), yard waste collection will also experience a one-day delay following a major holiday.
Residents should monitor the Town of Cicero's official website and newsletter for exact holiday schedule adjustments, as municipal hours may vary slightly.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring to Fall
April - NovemberThe Town of Cicero operates its municipal yard waste collection program from April through November. Ensure all organic landscape debris is separated from regular trash during these growing months.
Late Fall
October - NovemberDuring the heavy leaf drop season, residents must continue to use biodegradable paper bags for their leaves. Do not rake loose leaves into the streets or gutters, as this clogs Cicero's storm drains and causes localized flooding.
Winter
December - MarchWinter weather in Cook County can cause delays in alley collections. If a snow emergency is declared or snow accumulation exceeds 3 inches, Public Works prioritizes street plowing, which may slightly delay regular alley garbage routes.
Local Tips & Community Info
Cicero Trash & Recycling Schedule Overview
Welcome to your complete guide for managing household waste in the Town of Cicero, Illinois. Keeping our neighborhoods clean and environmentally safe requires every resident to stay informed about the local garbage and recycling collection schedule. The town partners with dependable local sanitation contractors to provide weekly curbside pickup for both standard refuse and recyclables. Understanding your specific neighborhood pickup day is the very first step toward hassle-free waste management. Please note that your standard sanitation fees are conveniently bundled into your bi-monthly Cicero utility bill, which is managed directly by the Town of Cicero Water Department. Staying up-to-date with the town's latest waste collection guidelines ensures that your street remains beautiful, sanitary, and fully compliant with all local health and safety codes.
Proper Bin Placement & Timing Guidelines
To guarantee smooth and uninterrupted service from Cicero's sanitation crews, residents must adhere to specific bin placement rules. All trash bags and recycling materials should be securely placed inside your designated municipal carts. Carts must be moved to the curb or alleyway no later than 6:00 a.m. on the morning of your scheduled collection day. When placing your bins outside, ensure they are positioned with the wheels facing your home and the lid opening toward the street or alley. Make sure there is a minimum of three feet of clearance around each cart, keeping them away from parked vehicles, utility poles, and mailboxes. Once the collection truck has emptied your containers, local ordinances require you to retrieve your bins and store them out of public view by the evening.
Cicero Recycling Rules: What Goes in the Blue Bin
Recycling is a significant priority in Cicero, and the town strongly encourages all households to participate in reducing landfill waste. Your blue recycling cart is meant for standard household recyclables, including flattened cardboard boxes, clean paper products, junk mail, and rinsed plastic bottles or jugs. Aluminum cans, tin cans, and unchipped glass bottles are also widely accepted. However, it is crucial to avoid throwing prohibited items into your recycling cart. Plastic grocery bags, styrofoam packaging, greasy pizza boxes, food waste, and electronics will contaminate the recycling load and could result in collection rejection. Always leave your recyclables loose inside the blue bin rather than stuffing them into plastic garbage bags.
Yard Waste Collection & Seasonal Services
During the warmer months of the year, usually spanning from early spring through late autumn, Cicero offers dedicated yard waste pickup services to help residents maintain their lawns and gardens. Yard waste includes grass clippings, leaves, small branches, and plant trimmings. To utilize this service, all organic debris must be placed in biodegradable kraft paper yard bags or clearly marked personal containers. Do not use standard plastic bags for yard waste, as they cannot be processed at local composting facilities. If you are disposing of tree branches, they must be tightly bundled with natural twine, kept under four feet in length, and weigh no more than 50 pounds per bundle.
Bulk Waste Pickup for Large Items
We all have those moments when standard trash carts simply will not accommodate our household waste. Whether you are remodeling your home, replacing old furniture, or doing a massive spring cleaning, the Town of Cicero provides options for bulk waste disposal. Large items such as broken couches, outdated mattresses, and non-freon household appliances can often be scheduled for special curbside collection. Residents are encouraged to contact the town's contracted waste hauler or the local Public Works department prior to placing oversized items on the curb. In some cases, a small additional fee or a specialized sticker may be required depending on the size and weight of the materials being discarded.
Holiday Delays & Missed Pickups
Major national holidays can occasionally disrupt the standard Cicero waste collection schedule. When holidays like New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas fall on a weekday, trash and recycling pickups will typically be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. For example, if a holiday lands on a Monday, Monday routes will be serviced on Tuesday, and Friday routes will be pushed to Saturday. If you ever experience a missed pickup on a non-holiday week despite placing your bins out by 6:00 a.m., you should promptly contact the Town of Cicero Water Department or the contracted sanitation provider to report the issue and request a courtesy collection.
Drop-off Facilities
Cicero Public Drop-Off Recycling Bin
Corner of 25th Street and 50th Avenue, Cicero, IL 60804
Materials Accepted
Naperville Household Hazardous Waste Facility (Regional)
156 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville, IL 60540
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Are garbage collection fees included in my Cicero utility bill?
Yes. The Town of Cicero bundles your household garbage, sewer, and water services into a single utility bill, which is managed and issued bi-monthly by the Water Department.
Who do I contact to report a missed trash pickup in Cicero, IL?
If your trash or recycling was missed, you can contact the Town of Cicero Water Department at (708) 656-3600 for assistance, or reach out directly to the town's contracted waste hauler.
How do I safely dispose of hazardous household materials in Cicero?
Hazardous materials like wet paint, motor oil, batteries, and harsh cleaning chemicals cannot be thrown in your regular trash. You must take these items to a designated household chemical and electronics drop-off facility during authorized collection events.