Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Darien
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.
LRS Issued Cart (35, 65, or 95-gallon) Bin (Trash)
Carts must be placed at the curb no earlier than 24 hours before your scheduled pickup day and must be removed within 24 hours after collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste and non-recyclable wrappers
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Small broken household items
LRS Issued Cart (35, 65, or 95-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the provided LRS cart. Legacy 18-gallon recycling tubs are no longer accepted by the automated trucks.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Clean plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Electronic waste and batteries
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Collected from April 1st through the second full week of December. Use kraft paper bags (max 33-gal), LRS Yard Waste Carts, or personal two-handled cans (max 32-gal) clearly marked 'YARD WASTE'.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Garden debris and small twigs
- ✓Approved food scraps (dairy, eggs, fruits, vegetables, bread, coffee grounds)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free item per week
Placement
Place your one free bulk item at the curb next to your LRS refuse cart. Do not set it out more than 24 hours before your collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Couches, recliners, and standard furniture
- ✓ Small domestic appliances (non-hazardous)
- ✓ Rolled carpet (cut to manageable lengths)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, monitors)
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals and liquid paint
- ✕ Extremely heavy items requiring a forklift
The first bulk item is completely free every week. If you have multiple heavy items or white goods (major appliances), you must contact LRS at 844-633-3577 to schedule and prepay for the excess volume.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on or before your regularly scheduled collection day during the week, services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule during its active collection season.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, standard weekday collection schedules remain completely unaffected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Warning on Personal Yard Waste Cans
While Darien allows the use of personal 32-gallon containers for yard waste, they must have two handles. However, LRS warns that their automated mechanical lifting arms may damage personal cans, and they will not repair or replace non-LRS containers.
No Meat in the Compost
Although Darien's food scrap program is generous, it strictly excludes meat, bones, and grease. Do not put these items in your yard waste containers, as they attract pests and contaminate the commercial compost facility.
Retire the 18-Gallon Tubs
Do not use the old, small 18-gallon recycling bins at the curb. The modern LRS fleet relies on automated lifting arms calibrated for large, wheeled carts, and drivers will bypass the old hand-carry tubs.
Seasonal Information
Spring and Fall
May and SeptemberKeep an eye out for Darien's Bi-Annual Curbside E-Waste events. Registration usually opens the month prior (April and August) on the LRS website. This is your chance to throw away old televisions and computers for free.
Spring through Fall
April 1 - Mid-DecemberUnlimited yard waste and food scrap collection automatically begins on April 1st and runs continuously through the second full week of December. No municipal waste stickers are required for collection.
Winter
December - MarchDuring severe winter weather, City Code Ordinance 9-3-1G declares a snow emergency when snowfall exceeds one inch. Keep carts recessed in your driveway, away from the street, to allow city snowplows to safely clear the roads.
About Darien Waste Management
Darien's Modernized Flat-Rate Refuse Program
In April 2022, the City of Darien completely revamped its municipal solid waste program, transitioning to a flat-rate, automated cart system managed by Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS). This eliminated the outdated sticker system, replacing it with unlimited weekly collection of trash, recycling, and yard waste. Homeowners received new wheeled carts and now enjoy streamlined service billed on a quarterly basis. Per local ordinance, refuse carts cannot be placed on the front parkway more than 24 hours prior to collection and must be removed within 24 hours after pickup.
Senior Citizen Refuse Discount Program
The City of Darien prioritizes affordability for its older residents by offering a formalized Senior Program. Homeowners aged 65 and older can opt into a discounted monthly rate by visiting City Hall or emailing LRS with proof of age (such as a state ID or passport) and a completed enrollment form. Under this program, seniors receive a smaller 35-gallon refuse cart to suit their lower waste generation needs, while still retaining access to unlimited recycling, yard waste collection, and weekly bulk item disposal.
Commingled Food Scraps and Organics Composting
Darien residents can easily participate in environmental sustainability through the city's integrated compost program. During the active yard waste season, LRS permits the commingling of organic kitchen food scraps directly with regular landscape debris. Acceptable food organics include bread, cereal, coffee grounds, dairy products, eggshells, fruits, and vegetables. This waste can be placed in biodegradable kraft bags, personal 32-gallon cans labeled 'YARD WASTE', or a leased LRS organics cart.
Free Weekly Bulk Item and Brush Bundling
Getting rid of oversized household items is exceptionally convenient in Darien. The standard LRS contract includes the collection of one large bulk item—such as a piece of furniture or mattress—every single week for no additional charge. For tree maintenance, LRS will also collect branches and limbs for free, provided they are tied into bundles that do not exceed 4 feet in length, 24 inches in total diameter, and 50 pounds in weight. Individual branches cannot be wider than 4 inches in diameter.
Navigating Electronics Disposal and Bi-Annual E-Waste Events
Electronic waste is strictly banned from Illinois landfills and cannot be placed inside your standard LRS refuse cart. To accommodate residents, LRS coordinates two free curbside electronic waste collections per year, typically occurring in the spring (May) and late summer (September). Residents must register for these e-waste events in advance via the LRS Darien web portal to have their old computers, televisions, and digital peripherals safely collected directly from their driveways.
Drop-off Facilities
Naperville Household Hazardous Waste Facility
156 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville, IL 60540
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to burn leaves in Darien, Illinois?
No. City Code Ordinance 7-1-9A strictly prohibits the burning of garbage, rubbish, or natural refuse, which explicitly includes leaves and other yard waste anywhere within the city limits. All yard waste must be composted or bagged for LRS collection.
How do I enroll in the Senior Garbage Program?
If you are 65 or older, you are eligible for the LRS Senior Program, which provides a 35-gallon refuse cart and a discounted monthly rate. You can enroll by visiting Darien City Hall in person, or by sending a completed enrollment application and a photocopy of your state ID or US Passport to LRS via mail or email.
Do I need to buy yard waste stickers in Darien?
No. When the city transitioned to LRS in April 2022, the waste sticker program was permanently discontinued. Darien now utilizes a flat-rate billing system that includes unlimited yard waste collection from April through mid-December.
Can I throw away old computers or televisions with my regular trash?
No, Illinois state law bans electronic waste from landfills. However, LRS provides Darien residents with two free curbside e-waste collection events per year (typically in May and September). You must register for these events in advance online or by calling LRS.