Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for East Peoria
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.
Any dark color (48 to 96-gallon Toter) Bin (Trash)
Must use an approved 48-96 gallon toter. The lid must be completely closed. Keep 4 to 5 feet of clearance around the toter. Limit of 3 toters per household.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste and non-recyclable wrappers
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Small broken household items
Toter with a Blue Painted Lid Bin (Recycling)
Residents must paint the lid of a standard 48-96 gallon toter blue. All recyclables can be commingled loosely inside. Cardboard must be cut down; oversized boxes are prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard (cut to fit inside)
- ✓Office paper, magazines, and mail
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic containers #1-#5 and #7
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags or film
- ✕Styrofoam packaging
- ✕Glass bottles and jars (subject to county drop-off limits)
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Yard waste or food scraps
Yard Waste Bin
Not collected curbside by Public Works. Residents must subscribe to a private hauler for pickup or utilize the designated Spring (April) and Fall (Oct 15 - Nov 30) open burning periods.
Accepted Items
- ✓Dry leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small brush and twigs (under 2 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Prohibited at curb
Placement
Do not place bulk items next to your toter. They will not be collected by the automated trucks and you may be cited for illegal dumping.
Accepted
Not Accepted
- ✕ Furniture and couches
- ✕ Mattresses and box springs
- ✕ Large appliances (white goods)
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Any item that does not fit in the toter
Residents must haul large items directly to the Tazewell Transfer Station (standard dumping fees apply) or hire a private junk removal service.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Garbage and Recycling collections will run one day late when the City Public Works Department is closed for recognized holidays.
Yard Waste Exception
Private yard waste subscriptions typically follow the same one-day delay, but open burning of yard waste is strictly prohibited on major holidays like Thanksgiving.
If you have questions about specific holiday route disruptions, residents are encouraged to call the Public Works Department directly at 309-698-4716.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep the Lid Completely Closed
Overloaded toters with partially open lids are a major hazard for the automated trucks. If your toter lid is open, it can catch the wind and spill garbage onto the street during the mechanical lift, or even hit an overhead utility line.
Cut Down Your Cardboard
Do not wedge oversized cardboard boxes into your blue-lidded recycling toter, and never use a cardboard box as an extra trash receptacle. All boxes must be completely flattened and cut down so they fit loosely inside the closed toter.
Ensure Proper Toter Spacing
The automated mechanical arm on the garbage truck needs significant clearance space. Ensure your toters are 4 to 5 feet away from your mailbox, parked cars, and from each other.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April 1 - April 30The Spring open burning season allows residents to burn dry leaves and small brush. Fires must be supervised by an adult, kept away from the street, and only lit during daylight hours when wind speeds are under 10 mph.
Autumn
October 15 - November 30The Fall open burning season is the primary time to dispose of fallen dry leaves. Remember that a water source must be nearby at all times, and burning in the public street is strictly illegal and dangerous.
Winter
December - MarchIf a winter storm brings heavy snow, keep your toters slightly recessed in your driveway rather than in the street or gutter. This allows city snowplows to efficiently clear East Peoria roads without knocking over your bins.
About East Peoria Waste Management
East Peoria's Automated Toter Collection System
The East Peoria Public Works Department utilizes fully automated garbage trucks for maximum efficiency. Consequently, all residents must use an approved 48 to 96-gallon wheeled toter for their refuse. Due to the mechanical arms on these collection vehicles, residents must place their toters near the apron at the end of the driveway, strictly maintaining at least 4 to 5 feet of clearance from mailboxes, vehicles, utility pedestals, and other containers. The city generously allows a maximum of three toters per household for weekly garbage pickup.
Blue Lids: The Unique East Peoria Recycling Rule
East Peoria has a highly unique method for identifying recycling bins at the curb. The city no longer sells or provides dedicated recycling carts. Instead, residents who wish to participate in curbside recycling must acquire a standard 48 to 96-gallon garbage toter and manually paint the lid blue. Public Works explicitly instructs residents to paint only the lid—do not paint the entire can blue. This blue lid acts as the primary signal to the specialized recycling truck drivers to collect your commingled materials.
Strict Prohibition on Curbside Bulk Items
Unlike many Illinois municipalities that offer free large-item pickups, the City of East Peoria explicitly prohibits bulk items at the curb. Furniture, mattresses, large appliances, and absolutely any items that do not fit completely inside your closed-lid toter will be ignored and left behind by the automated trucks. To legally dispose of these oversized items, residents must haul them directly to the Tazewell Transfer Station on Washington Street or hire a private junk removal service.
Landscape Waste Subscriptions and Open Burning
The city does not provide standard curbside landscape waste pickup through its Public Works trucks; residents must independently subscribe to a private hauler, such as Waste Management, for yard waste removal. However, East Peoria is one of the few urban areas that still permits the open burning of dry leaves and brush twice a year. The Spring open burning season runs strictly from April 1st to April 30th, and the Fall season runs from October 15th through November 30th, subject to wind speeds and fire chief regulations.
Tazewell County Household Hazardous Waste
Toxic materials such as oil-based paints, chemical cleaners, and old electronics are heavily banned from your residential toters to protect local groundwater. To safely dispose of these chemicals, East Peoria residents are encouraged to attend seasonal Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) one-day collection events organized by the Tazewell County Health Department and the Illinois EPA. Pre-registration for these events is mandatory to manage traffic flow and ensure safe material handling.
Drop-off Facilities
Tazewell Transfer Station
3550 E Washington St, East Peoria, IL 61611
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a recycling bin in East Peoria?
The City of East Peoria no longer sells or provides specific recycling bins. Instead, you must purchase or use a standard 48 to 96-gallon garbage toter and manually paint only the lid blue. This blue lid indicates to the truck drivers that the toter contains commingled recyclables.
Can I set a mattress or couch by my garbage toter for pickup?
No. East Peoria utilizes fully automated garbage trucks and explicitly prohibits bulk items at the curb. Any items that do not fit entirely inside your closed toter, including furniture and mattresses, will be left behind.
What are the rules for burning leaves in my yard?
Open burning of dry leaves and brush is allowed only twice a year: April 1-30 and October 15-November 30. Fires must be supervised by an adult at all times, kept away from the street, and only lit during daylight hours when wind speeds are below 10 mph.
How many garbage toters am I allowed to set out each week?
A limit of three approved toters (48 to 96-gallon size) may be set out per household for weekly garbage pickup. Ensure each toter is placed 4 to 5 feet apart from one another and away from mailboxes so the truck's mechanical arm can grab them safely.