Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Des Plaines
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as your trash collection.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your regular trash collection day from April through the end of November.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential city utility meters are billed in two-month increments, and residents can also schedule one free monthly curbside electronic waste (e-waste) pickup directly with LRS.
Billing Cycle
Bi-monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Automatic Withdrawal (ACH), Mail, Phone, In Person, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
LRS offers a senior citizen discount program on residential refuse rates for eligible residents (application and proof of age required).
LRS-issued Cart (Default 95-gallon) Bin (Trash)
Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on your collection day. Ensure the cart is at least 3 feet away from mailboxes or cars, and 1 to 2 feet off the curb.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food packaging and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small broken household goods
LRS-issued Cart (Default 65-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
Place items loosely in the single-stream recycling cart without bagging them. Containers previously storing liquids or foods should be emptied before recycling. Must be at the curb by 7:00 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and office paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, and jars (#1-#5, #7)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Pizza boxes (grease contamination)
- ✕Textiles and clothing
- ✕Plastic #6
Yard Waste Bin
Use 30-gallon compostable paper kraft bags or marked personal cans (up to 35-gallons / 50 lbs). Branches must be bundled (max 4 feet long, 18 inches diameter). Must be out by 7:00 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Organics
- ✓Twigs and small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One bulk item per week
Placement
Place your single bulk item at the curb next to your LRS garbage cart by 7:00 AM on your standard weekly collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (chairs, small tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (MUST be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Up to 1 cubic yard of basic DIY construction debris
- ✓ Large non-hazardous household items under 50 lbs
Not Accepted
- ✕ White goods/appliances (unless pre-scheduled and fee paid)
- ✕ Concrete, stone, dirt, and masonry
- ✕ Tree stumps
- ✕ Electronic waste
- ✕ Automotive engines
If you need to dispose of more than one bulk item per week, or need appliance (white goods) removal, you must contact LRS in advance to schedule service. Additional items are charged on a per-yard basis.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
LRS observes six major holidays. If the holiday falls on a weekday on or before your regular collection day, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active season (April through November), yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular garbage and recycling.
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekend, your standard weekday collection schedule will not be interrupted or delayed.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring to Fall
April 1 - November 30Weekly yard waste and organics collection is active. You can place an unlimited amount of properly prepared kraft bags, stick bundles, or marked 35-gallon cans at the curb on your normal garbage day.
Winter
December - MarchStandard yard waste collection is suspended for the winter. Do not leave yard bags at the curb during these months. LRS typically offers a specific window in early January for unbagged, decoration-free live Christmas tree collection.
Year-Round
January - December (Wednesdays)The Des Plaines Public Works facility is open every Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM for residents to drop off specialty household items like fluorescent bulbs, rechargeable batteries, and car batteries.
Local Tips & Community Info
Waste Management Partnership with LRS
The City of Des Plaines contracts exclusively with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) to deliver weekly refuse and recycling pickup for all local single-family residences. This unified, city-wide approach keeps neighborhoods looking clean and ensures waste is disposed of sustainably. Your designated service day depends entirely on your specific residential zone within the city limits. Standard household garbage and co-mingled recyclables are collected on the same day, utilizing the standard 35, 65, or 95-gallon wheeled carts provided by the contractor.
Strict Guidelines for Cart Placement
To maintain the aesthetic appeal and safety of Des Plaines streets, there are strict local ordinances regarding when bins can be set out. You must have your LRS carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service morning to guarantee pickup. However, do not set them out before 4:00 p.m. on the day prior to collection. Once the LRS automated trucks have passed through your neighborhood, all empty bins must be removed from the parkway and returned to your property line by 7:00 p.m. on the day of collection.
Navigating the Yard Waste Season
Starting in early April and running through mid-December, landscape debris is picked up on the same day as your regular trash. Des Plaines residents have a couple of convenient options for disposing of grass clippings, weeds, and fallen leaves. You can purchase official LRS yard waste stickers at local grocery stores to attach to biodegradable kraft paper bags, or you can opt into a seasonal yard waste cart subscription. If you are tying up loose branches, the bundles cannot exceed four feet in length or weigh more than 50 pounds.
Free Weekly Bulk Item Disposal
Are you doing a minor home cleanout and need to toss out an old recliner or a broken desk? The city allows each residential home to throw away one standard bulk furniture item every single week at absolutely no extra charge. Just place the item neatly next to your garbage cart on your normal collection day. Keep in mind that this rule strictly excludes major home appliances, construction materials, and electronics.
Electronic Waste and Heavy Appliances
Illinois environmental law strictly prohibits dumping electronics and major household appliances in standard landfills. For heavy items like refrigerators, washing machines, or large televisions, you cannot simply leave them at the curb for the regular truck. Instead, residents must contact LRS customer service directly to arrange a prepaid, specially scheduled pickup. Appliances commonly referred to as 'white goods' require specialized handling to safely extract harmful freon and internal components.
Drop-off Facilities
Des Plaines Public Works Facility
1111 Joseph J Schwab Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Materials Accepted
Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Elgin/Regional)
800 N State St, Elgin, IL 60123 (Call 847-742-9905 to confirm)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the allowed times to put my garbage cans out in Des Plaines?
Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day, but no earlier than 4:00 p.m. the day before. They must be removed from the curb by 7:00 p.m. on the day of collection.
Do I need a sticker for yard waste bags?
Yes. Unless you subscribe to the annual LRS yard waste cart program, you must affix an official LRS yard waste sticker to each biodegradable bag or brush bundle.
Can I throw away furniture for free?
Yes. Des Plaines allows residents to set out one standard bulk item, such as a couch or mattress, per week at no additional charge.