Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for DeKalb
Trash Day
Collection runs Wednesday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as your trash pickup (Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday).
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your regular collection day from April 1 through November 30.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Garbage and recycling fees are billed as a flat rate on your bi-monthly City of DeKalb water and sewer utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Phone, Mail, In Person, Drop Box
LRS Issued Cart Bin (Trash)
Place all garbage in the LRS-issued 95-gallon cart. Additional trash can be placed in resident-owned containers (max 35 gallons, under 50 lbs, with two handles). Bins must be at the curb by 6:00 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Dried latex paint (mixed with kitty litter)
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
LRS Issued Cart Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loose in the 65-gallon cart. Do not bag recyclables in plastic bags. Ensure containers are rinsed and empty.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Office paper and newspaper
- ✓Aluminum cans and foil
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Propane tanks
- ✕Wire hangers
- ✕Steel/tin utensils
- ✕Ceramics and bakeware
- ✕Light bulbs
- ✕Auto glass
Yard Waste Bin
Use 2-ply biodegradable paper bags (max 50 lbs) or a personal 35-gallon container clearly marked with an 'X', 'YW', or 'YARD WASTE'. Bundled branches must be 4 feet or less in length and tied with biodegradable string.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Organic food scraps
- ✓Weeds
- ✓Brush and branches (bundled)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One item per week
Placement
Place your single bulk item at the curb next to your LRS garbage cart by 6:00 AM on your standard collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Bed frames
- ✓ Box springs
- ✓ Bicycles
- ✓ Chairs
- ✓ Sofas
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Toys
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
- ✕ Pianos
- ✕ Sleeper sofas
- ✕ Large entertainment centers
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Items weighing over 50 lbs
If you have more than one bulk item, additional pieces require a $25.00 prepaid fee per item. Excessively heavy items (over 50 lbs) require you to call LRS for a special pickup quote.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on or before your designated collection day (Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday), 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 as standard garbage and recycling during its active season.
Minor holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, and Veterans Day do not affect the LRS collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring to Fall
April - NovemberCurbside yard waste and organic food scrap collection begins on April 1st and runs weekly through November 30th on your normal garbage day.
Fall
October - DecemberThe City of DeKalb Public Works runs a loose leaf vacuuming program typically beginning in late October and extending through the first week of December, weather and snowfall permitting.
Winter
JanuaryLRS provides annual curbside Christmas tree collection during the first two weeks of January. Trees must be completely free of plastic bags, tinsel, ornaments, and lights.
Local Tips & Community Info
DeKalb Garbage Pickup & Provider Details
Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) serves as the exclusive waste collection provider for homes within the City of DeKalb. Residents receive weekly curbside pickup for household garbage, recycling, and seasonal yard waste. Your specific collection day will fall on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday depending on your neighborhood. To ensure your bins are emptied, always roll your carts to the curb or alleyway by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day. LRS typically equips each household with a 95-gallon cart for trash and a 65-gallon cart for recycling, providing ample space for weekly disposal.
Recycling Guidelines for DeKalb Homes
DeKalb's single-stream recycling program makes it simple for residents to participate without sorting materials. You can toss standard recyclables like cardboard, paper, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles directly into your 65-gallon LRS recycling cart. However, you must avoid putting hazardous or non-recyclable items into the bin. Things like wire hangers, window glass, coffee pots, light bulbs, and plastic bags will contaminate the recycling stream. Always use the official LRS-issued cart before utilizing any personal containers for overflow recyclables.
Handling Bulk Waste and Electronics
Getting rid of large, bulky items like a sleeper sofa, piano, or construction debris requires special coordination. LRS handles these oversized loads, but residents must call ahead to schedule a special pickup and receive an estimate. For electronic waste, such as old televisions, computers, and cell phones, LRS provides a convenient monthly pickup. E-waste is collected during the first full week of every month, but you must submit a request at least 48 hours prior to your normal service day to get on the route.
Seasonal Yard Waste Collection Rules
When spring arrives in DeKalb, seasonal yard waste collection resumes, typically starting April 1st. Residents can dispose of grass clippings, leaves, and small branches on their normal refuse day. Landscape waste must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or standard garbage cans (32-gallon maximum) clearly marked with an 'X' or 'YW.' Keep in mind that plastic bags are strictly prohibited for organic debris. If you have brush, ensure it is cut to lengths of four feet or less and securely bundled with twine, weighing no more than 50 pounds.
Holiday Collection Delays
Trash pickup schedules in DeKalb are affected by six major national holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday before or on your scheduled service day, collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. For example, a Thursday holiday pushes Thursday's pickup to Friday, and Friday's to Saturday. Service will resume its normal schedule the following week.
Tips for Bin Placement and Missed Pickups
Proper cart placement ensures a smooth weekly collection process. Place your LRS carts on a flat surface near the curb, with the arrows on the lid pointing toward the street. Keep bins at least three feet away from mailboxes, parked cars, and utility poles to allow the automated trucks easy access. If you followed all the rules and your trash or recycling was still missed, don't panic. Simply contact LRS customer service at 844-633-3577 or email them at [email protected] with your address to report the missed pickup.
Drop-off Facilities
Zimmerman Recycling
301 Industrial Drive, DeKalb, IL 60115
Materials Accepted
DeKalb Iron & Metal, LLC
900 Oak St, DeKalb, IL 60115
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I put out my trash bins in DeKalb?
All garbage, recycling, and yard waste containers must be placed at the curb or alleyway no later than 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day to guarantee pickup.
Who do I call for a missed garbage pickup in DeKalb?
If your trash or recycling was missed, you should contact Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) directly at 844-633-3577 or email [email protected].
How do I dispose of a large couch in DeKalb?
Bulk items like couches require a special pickup from LRS. You must call their customer support line to request a custom collection estimate and schedule the pickup.