Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Darien
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone according to the city collection map.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Yard waste and compostable food scraps are collected weekly on your regular trash day from April 1 through the second full week of December; the city also provides free seasonal branch chipping pickups.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside waste, recycling, and composting are serviced by LRS, while city water and sewer services are billed bi-monthly through DuPage County Public Works.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Discounted waste collection rates are available for qualifying senior citizens through LRS.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Transitioning to the All-Cart Waste Program in Darien
Since April 2022, the City of Darien has operated under an efficient, fully automated 'all-cart' solid waste management program. This initiative, managed through an exclusive municipal contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS), is designed to give homeowners more control over their weekly disposal while strongly incentivizing environmental recycling. Under this system, standard bagged trash tossed on the curb is a thing of the past; all household refuse must be properly contained within the designated LRS wheeled carts to ensure safe and rapid mechanical lifting by the sanitation trucks.
Setting Up Your Weekly LRS Collection
Navigating your new waste services is quite straightforward. Every single-family household in Darien is assigned a specific weekly collection day based on their geographic neighborhood zone. Residents are required to have their garbage and single-stream recycling carts pushed to the edge of the driveway by early morning on their scheduled day. LRS customer service, which can be reached at (844) 633-3577, is your primary contact point if you need to report a missed pickup, request a different cart size, or ask questions about what materials are acceptable in the blue recycling bins.
Combined Yard Waste and Food Scrap Composting
One of the most progressive features of Darien's waste contract is the integrated organics collection program. LRS encourages residents to combine their kitchen food scraps directly with their yard waste. This organic mixture is picked up weekly during the growing season on your regular garbage day. If you choose not to rent a dedicated LRS organics cart, you can use your own rigid container with sturdy lifting handles; however, you must affix a bright 'YARD WASTE' sticker to it so the driver can easily identify the contents. These official yard waste labels are available for pickup at the Darien City Hall front desk.
Disposing of Heavy Furniture and Appliances
Standard household garbage is only one part of keeping the city clean. When you need to dispose of bulky items like an old sofa, a broken mattress, or heavy wooden furniture, LRS accommodates these large objects, but advance preparation is key. While one standard bulk item may often be placed out weekly, extremely large objects or multiple pieces of furniture require you to contact LRS ahead of time. Additionally, state law prohibits 'white goods' (appliances like refrigerators) and electronics (televisions, computers) from entering standard landfills. These items demand specialized pickup scheduling or drop-off at certified regional e-waste facilities.
Drop-off Facilities
Naperville Household Hazardous Waste Facility
156 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville, IL 60540
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who handles residential garbage collection in Darien, IL?
Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) is the official solid waste contractor for the City of Darien. They manage all curbside refuse, recycling, and yard waste services.
Can I mix food scraps with my yard waste?
Yes, Darien's waste program allows residents to combine organic kitchen food scraps directly with their standard yard waste for weekly curbside composting.
Where can I get yard waste stickers for my personal containers?
If you are using your own rigid trash can for yard waste rather than a rented LRS cart, you can pick up the required 'YARD WASTE' identification stickers at Darien City Hall.