Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Des Plaines
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 (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
!Contamination Tips
Keep the Greasy Pizza Boxes Out
While clean cardboard is a highly desired recyclable material, cardboard soiled with grease, cheese, or food residue ruins the paper recycling process. Always throw your greasy pizza boxes in the regular trash.
Ditch the Black Plastic Bags
LRS prefers that all recyclables remain completely loose in your cart. If you absolutely must use a bag for recycling, it must be transparent. Black garbage bags are considered contaminated and will cause your recycling bin to be rejected.
Keep Dirt Out of Yard Bags
Never use your yard waste bags or cans to dispose of sod, loose soil, dirt, or heavy root balls. Cans and kraft bags containing excessive amounts of earth will exceed the 50-pound weight limit and will be left uncollected.
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.
About Des Plaines Waste Management
Standardized Cart System with LRS
In early 2021, the City of Des Plaines transitioned its residential waste and recycling hauling contract to Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS). As part of this modernization, eligible single-family and multi-family homes (up to four units) are provided with heavy-duty wheeled carts for both refuse and single-stream recycling. While 95-gallon garbage carts and 65-gallon recycling carts are the standard default sizes, residents who generate less waste have the option to swap them for 35-gallon alternatives to save space.
Unique 1-Cubic-Yard Construction Debris Allowance
A highly convenient benefit of the Des Plaines solid waste program is the weekly allowance for minor do-it-yourself (DIY) construction debris. Residents can place up to one cubic yard of basic home renovation materials—such as scrap lumber, trim, or drywall—at the curb on their regular collection day at no extra charge. However, heavier masonry items like concrete, stone, asphalt, or dirt are strictly prohibited and require private disposal at facilities like Vulcan Materials in Elk Grove.
Free Weekly Bulk Item and Mattress Rule
Des Plaines residents enjoy the flexibility of throwing away one standard bulk item per week without needing to purchase a sticker or schedule a pickup in advance. This includes large household items and furniture weighing under 50 pounds. However, LRS strictly enforces a safety policy for bedding: all mattresses and box springs must be completely sealed in a plastic mattress bag to protect sanitation workers from bed bugs. Unwrapped mattresses will be left at the curb.
E-Waste and Public Works Drop-Off Services
While electronic waste is legally banned from Illinois landfills and standard curbside bins, Des Plaines offers robust solutions. LRS provides a monthly curbside e-waste pickup by appointment only. Furthermore, the city operates a dedicated drop-off program at the Public Works facility on Joseph Schwab Road every Wednesday. Here, residents can safely recycle up to four fluorescent light bulbs, two car batteries, and various household rechargeable batteries.
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
How do I dispose of a mattress in Des Plaines?
You can throw away a mattress for free as your one allowed weekly bulk item. However, LRS strictly requires that all mattresses and box springs be completely wrapped and sealed in a plastic mattress bag before being placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on your collection day.
Does Des Plaines offer curbside electronics recycling?
Yes. While electronic waste is banned from normal trash, LRS offers a monthly curbside electronic waste collection for Des Plaines residents. This service is not automatic; you must contact LRS customer service at 844-633-3577 or [email protected] to schedule a pickup for your TVs, computers, or monitors.
Can I throw away remodeling debris in my normal trash?
Yes, but within limits. Des Plaines allows residents to place up to one cubic yard of basic 'do-it-yourself' construction debris out each week for free. This includes materials like scrap lumber or drywall. Heavy masonry like concrete, brick, or asphalt is not accepted and requires a private hauler or drop-off at a facility like Vulcan Materials.
Where can I recycle fluorescent light bulbs and old batteries in Des Plaines?
Des Plaines residents have exclusive access to a weekly drop-off program at the Public Works facility (1111 Joseph J Schwab Road) every Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. You can safely drop off up to four CFL bulbs, two car batteries, and various household rechargeable batteries.