Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Crystal Lake
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.
Blue or Grey LRS Cart Bin (Trash)
Place your LRS tote at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. Additional totes are available for $3.00/month.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard packaging
- ✓Small broken household goods
Blue LRS Cart with specific colored lid Bin (Recycling)
All items must be clean, dry, and placed loosely inside the recycling tote. Do not bag recyclables in plastic.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard (flattened)
- ✓Office paper, magazines, and mail
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Glass jars and bottles
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags (film)
- ✕Needles and sharps
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Use biodegradable paper bags, an optional $3.00/month LRS yard waste tote, or a personal 32-gallon container (max 50 lbs). Personal bins are used at the resident's own risk of damage.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Weeds and garden debris
- ✓Small twigs and light brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (One item per week)
Placement
Place your single bulk item next to your LRS refuse tote at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your normal collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Small dining tables
- ✓ Standard household furniture
Not Accepted
- ✕ Large quantities of construction debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Unscheduled white goods (appliances)
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
One item is free weekly. Additional bulk items are $25.00. White goods (refrigerators, washers) require a scheduled $35.00 pickup. Special cleanout collections are $25.00 per cubic yard.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Scheduled collections that fall on or after an observed holiday will be delayed by one day during that week. For example, if a holiday is on a Monday, Monday service moves to Tuesday, and Friday service moves to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active collection season (April through mid-December), yard waste pickups are delayed exactly alongside standard trash and recycling schedules.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, your weekday collection schedule typically remains unaffected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bring Sharps to City Hall
The City of Crystal Lake City Hall, Police Department, and Fire Rescue Department explicitly do not accept used needles or sharps for disposal. These hazardous medical items also cannot go into your recycling cart. Consult the McHenry County Green Guide for safe drop-off locations.
Don't Mix Leaves at the Brush Drop-Off
If you utilize the City's Brush Drop-Off Site on S. Main Street, remember that it is strictly for woody debris under 6 inches in diameter. Do not bring bagged leaves, grass clippings, or twine-bound bundles, as they will be rejected.
Keep Styrofoam Out of Curbside Bins
Styrofoam (polystyrene) packaging blocks and cups are not accepted in LRS curbside recycling. Throw them in your regular trash, or take them to a designated Environmental Defenders of McHenry County Styrofoam drop-off event.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Fall
April - DecemberLRS curbside yard waste collection is highly seasonal. It begins the first full week of April and strictly ends after the second full week of December each year.
Spring
MayEvery May, the City's Public Works Department conducts an annual Zone-Based Brush Collection Program. The city is divided into four zones, with crews making one pass per zone to collect large branch piles left at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on Monday of your scheduled week.
Summer/Fall
April - NovemberThe City's resident-only Brush Drop-Off Site at 410 S. Main Street is open on the first and third Saturday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Proof of residency is required.
About Crystal Lake Waste Management
Comprehensive Base Rate Services with LRS
The City of Crystal Lake maintains an exclusive franchise agreement with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) to provide cost-effective residential curbside collection. The standard monthly base rate comprehensively covers weekly refuse and recycling collection, seasonal yard waste pickup, and the removal of one large bulk item every single week. Residents who need more capacity can request additional refuse or recycling totes for a nominal monthly fee of $3.00 each.
Generous Bulk Item and White Goods Rules
Crystal Lake's waste program is exceptionally friendly for household cleanups. Because one standard bulk item—such as a piece of furniture, a mattress, or a rolled carpet—is included in your weekly base rate, you don't need to stockpile items for an annual cleanup event. If you have additional bulk items on the same day, LRS charges $25.00 per extra item. For 'white goods' like refrigerators and washing machines, residents must call LRS to schedule a special appliance pickup for a $35.00 flat fee.
Navigating Paint and Chemical Disposal
Unlike many municipalities that completely ban all liquid paint, Crystal Lake residents have a paid curbside option. Through LRS, residents can schedule a special collection for water-based latex paint at a rate of $30.00 for up to five gallons, plus $4.00 for each additional gallon. For other household chemicals, LRS offers a call-ahead pickup service for $30.00. Alternatively, free disposal options for hazardous waste can be found in the McHenry County Green Guide.
The City's Unique Brush Drop-Off Facility
While LRS handles standard yard waste at the curb, the City of Crystal Lake operates its own specialized Brush Drop-Off Site located at 410 S. Main Street. Open exclusively to residents (driver's license required) on the first and third Saturday of every month from April through November, the site accepts woody brush under six feet long and six inches in diameter. This facility is strictly for branches and will reject bagged leaves, grass clippings, and root balls.
Discounted Rates for Senior Citizens
The City of Crystal Lake prioritizes affordability for its older population by offering a reduced monthly refuse rate for senior citizens. Residents aged 65 and older are eligible for a roughly 10% discount on their base LRS rate. To activate this discounted billing, seniors must provide a copy of a valid ID showing proof of age directly to the billing department.
Drop-off Facilities
Crystal Lake Brush Drop-Off Site
410 S. Main Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Materials Accepted
Elgin Recycling
5114 Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away large furniture in Crystal Lake?
Residents are allowed to throw away one large bulk item, such as a piece of furniture or a mattress, every week for free. Just place it next to your regular trash cart by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day. If you have more than one item, LRS charges a $25 fee per extra item.
Can I use my own garbage cans for yard waste?
Yes. While you can rent a dedicated yard waste tote from LRS for $3.00 a month or use biodegradable paper bags, you are also permitted to use your own personal 32-gallon container. However, it must weigh less than 50 pounds, and LRS is not responsible if the personal bin is damaged during collection.
Where can I drop off electronics like old TVs in Crystal Lake?
You can take your electronic waste, including old televisions, computers, and even holiday lights, to Elgin Recycling located at 5114 Terra Cotta Ave. in Crystal Lake. They are open Monday through Saturday.
Is there a senior discount for trash pickup in Crystal Lake?
Yes, residents who are 65 years of age or older qualify for a reduced 'Senior Rate' on their monthly LRS refuse and recycling bill. You must provide a copy of a valid ID showing proof of age to qualify.