Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for DeKalb
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 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
!Contamination Tips
Dry Out Your Latex Paint
Latex paint is considered regular garbage, but liquid paint will ruin the truck and your driveway. Dry it out completely by leaving the lid off or mixing it with kitty litter until it turns solid before tossing it in your trash cart.
Keep Tanglers Out of the Recycling
Never place wire hangers, hoses, or plastic bags in your LRS recycling cart. These items wrap around the sorting equipment at the facility, causing severe damage and shutting down the recycling lines.
E-Waste Requires a Special Appointment
Do not hide old laptops, computer mice, or televisions in your curbside bins. DeKalb residents must schedule a dedicated electronic waste pickup through the LRS portal and place the items in a marked cardboard box or brown paper bag.
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.
About DeKalb Waste Management
Complete Guide to DeKalb's Residential Waste Services
The City of DeKalb, Illinois, partners with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) to manage curbside garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection for local residents. Collections run on a structured Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday schedule. Whether you live near Northern Illinois University or closer to the historic downtown, it is crucial to have your carts at the curb or alleyway by 6:00 AM on your designated collection morning to ensure your waste is serviced.
Unlimited Containerized Garbage Collection
One unique benefit of DeKalb’s municipal waste program is the unlimited containerized garbage policy. While LRS provides each home with a standard 95-gallon refuse cart, residents can set out additional household trash at no extra cost. To utilize this perk, any excess garbage must be placed in a resident-owned container that is no larger than 35 gallons, weighs under 50 pounds when full, and features two handles. Please note that loose garbage bags left on the ground may not be collected.
Seasonal Yard Waste and Food Scrap Composting
From April 1st through November 30th, DeKalb households can take advantage of weekly yard waste collection. What makes this service environmentally progressive is the inclusion of organic food scraps. Residents can sustainably mix vegetable peelings, fruit cores, and coffee grounds right into their yard waste bins or biodegradable Kraft paper bags. If you are clearing branches, they must be bundled securely with biodegradable twine, kept under four feet in length, and weigh no more than 50 pounds per bundle.
Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste Home Pickup
Disposing of harsh chemicals, motor oil, and old televisions is made incredibly convenient through the LRS Home Collection service. Rather than driving to a distant drop-off facility, DeKalb residents can schedule a specialized pickup right from their doorstep. Simply visit the LRS DeKalb portal or call their customer service line to request a collection date. E-waste items like laptops and keyboards can be placed in a marked brown paper bag or small cardboard box at the curb for safe removal on your assigned date.
Free Weekly Bulk Item Disposal
If you are decluttering your DeKalb home, LRS allows residents to dispose of one free bulk item per week alongside their regular trash. Eligible items include standard furniture pieces like bicycles, chairs, and mattresses weighing less than 50 pounds. If you need to dispose of an exceptionally heavy item, such as a sleeper sofa or a large entertainment center, you must contact LRS ahead of time to schedule a special pickup and request a custom quote, as the standard route trucks cannot accommodate these oversized loads.
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
Is there a limit on how much garbage I can throw away in DeKalb?
No, DeKalb has an unlimited containerized garbage policy. Once your LRS-provided 95-gallon cart is full, you can place extra trash in personal containers (up to 35 gallons, under 50 lbs, with two handles) at no extra charge. Loose bags are not permitted.
How do I safely dispose of hazardous chemicals and electronics?
DeKalb residents are eligible for the LRS Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and E-Waste home collection program. You must request a pickup date online via the LRS DeKalb portal or by calling customer service. Once scheduled, leave the items securely packaged at your door or curb.
Am I allowed to put food scraps in my yard waste bin?
Yes! Between April 1st and November 30th, you can mix organic food scraps directly into your yard waste cart or biodegradable Kraft bags. This diverts heavy, wet waste from the landfill and turns it into compost.
What time do I need to put my carts out on collection day?
All garbage, recycling, yard waste, and your one free bulk item must be placed at the curb or alleyway by 6:00 AM on your designated collection day (Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday).