Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Elmhurst
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.
Typically Blue or Grey (Republic Services Issued) Bin (Trash)
Place your 35-, 65-, or 95-gallon cart at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day, but no earlier than noon the day prior. Extra bags require a $3.50 sticker.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food wrappers and bags
- ✓Small broken household items
Typically Blue (65-gallon is standard) Bin (Recycling)
Empty, clean, and dry all items. Place recyclables loosely in the cart without bagging them. Shredded paper is the only exception and must be secured in a paper bag.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Office paper, newspaper, and mail
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Metal cans (aluminum and tin)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and wrappers
- ✕Styrofoam (polystyrene foam)
- ✕Greasy or food-soiled items
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Clothing and textiles
Yard Waste Bin
Bags or cans cannot exceed 33 gallons or 50 lbs and require a $3.50 sticker. A $12/month Republic Services organics cart can be used instead. Two bundles of brush are collected free weekly.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings, leaves, and branches
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, and eggshells
- ✓Bread, pasta, cereal, and rice
- ✓Coffee grounds
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (or during Spring Clean-up)
Placement
Place items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day, but no earlier than noon the day prior.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and household fixtures
- ✓ Hardened paint (lids removed)
- ✓ Carpet rolls (max 5 feet long, 2 feet diameter)
- ✓ Minor construction debris (under 2 cubic yards, stickered/bundled)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires and large auto parts
- ✕ Vehicle batteries
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Electronic devices (TVs, computers)
Call Republic Services at (708) 345-7050 to schedule pickups for appliances (white goods) or construction debris exceeding one cubic yard, as extra fees may apply.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active collection season, yard waste and organics pickups follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, the standard weekday collection schedule remains unaffected. Check the Republic Services app for real-time alerts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No Meat or Bones in Compost
While Elmhurst's organics program accepts bread, coffee grounds, and veggies, it strictly prohibits meat, fish, bones, and dairy products. These items introduce pathogens, attract rodents, and contaminate the commercial compost stream.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Recycling Cart
Never collect your recyclables in plastic garbage bags before putting them in the cart. Loose plastic bags and shrink wrap get tangled in the sorting machinery at the Republic Services facility, halting operations.
Styrofoam Goes in the Trash
Polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam (like coffee cups and packing peanuts), is not accepted in curbside recycling. It breaks apart into microplastics and must be thrown in your regular trash cart.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Fall
April - DecemberStandard weekly yard waste and organics collection operates from the first week of April through the first full week of December using stickered bags or the organics cart.
Winter
December - MarchUnder the new waste contract, Elmhurst now offers an every-other-week organics collection during the winter months. However, to participate, residents are required to rent the organics toter directly from Republic Services.
Spring
April - MayThe highly anticipated Annual Spring Clean-Up occurs over three Saturdays in the spring. Refer to the City's official schedule to find which Saturday corresponds with your normal weekly route.
About Elmhurst Waste Management
Tailoring Your Trash Service with Republic Services
The City of Elmhurst partners with Republic Services to provide a tiered, volume-based waste collection system. Residents have the flexibility to choose between 35-gallon, 65-gallon, and 95-gallon refuse carts, allowing households to select a size and monthly rate that accurately reflects their waste output. Homeowners can easily manage their accounts, upgrade cart sizes, and track their collection trucks in real-time using the Republic Services mobile app.
Understanding the Elmhurst Universal Sticker System
While your monthly Republic Services bill covers the contents of your designated refuse cart, any additional garbage requires utilizing the city's sticker program. If your trash exceeds the cart's capacity, you must place the overflow in bags or standard cans (up to 50 pounds) and affix a $3.50 Elmhurst refuse sticker to each one. These stickers are conveniently available for purchase at Elmhurst City Hall, local Jewel Food Stores, Mariano's, and area Ace Hardware locations.
Diverting Organics and Food Scraps from Landfills
Elmhurst boasts a robust food scrap composting program aimed at reducing landfill methane emissions. Residents can mix select organics—such as fruit and vegetable peels, bread, pasta, coffee grounds, and eggshells—directly with their yard waste. You can use standard biodegradable kraft bags equipped with a yard waste sticker, or opt to rent a dedicated organics cart directly from Republic Services for $12 per month, streamlining your composting efforts.
The Highly Anticipated Annual Spring Clean-Up
One of the most popular perks of Elmhurst's waste program is the Annual Spring Clean-Up. Spread across three specific Saturdays in April and May, this event allows residents to place large, bulky household items and excessive junk at the curb without needing to purchase refuse stickers. Collection days are staggered based on your normal refuse day, ensuring orderly neighborhood cleanouts just in time for summer.
Proper Disposal of Major Appliances and White Goods
Large household appliances, commonly known as white goods, contain harmful refrigerants and heavy metals that require specialized recycling. In Elmhurst, you cannot simply place a refrigerator, water heater, or air conditioner at the curb with your regular weekly trash. Instead, you must contact Republic Services at (708) 345-7050 to schedule a dedicated appliance collection pickup, ensuring compliance with Illinois environmental laws.
Drop-off Facilities
DuPage County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
156 Fort Hill Dr., Naperville, IL 60540
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away extra garbage bags in Elmhurst?
Any trash that does not fit into your designated 35-, 65-, or 95-gallon Republic Services cart requires a $3.50 garbage sticker. You can purchase these stickers at City Hall, Jewel Food Stores, Mariano's, or local Ace Hardware locations.
What is the Elmhurst Annual Spring Clean-Up?
The Spring Clean-Up is a special event held over three Saturdays in April and May where residents can dispose of bulk items, furniture, and large amounts of household junk without needing refuse stickers. The date you participate depends on your normal weekly pickup day.
Can I compost food scraps in Elmhurst?
Yes, you can mix fruits, vegetables, bread, pasta, and coffee grounds into your yard waste. However, meat, bones, fish, and pet waste are strictly prohibited. You can use stickered kraft bags or rent an organics cart for $12 a month.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator or air conditioner?
White goods like refrigerators, air conditioners, and water heaters are not picked up automatically with standard bulk waste. You must call Republic Services at (708) 345-7050 in advance to schedule a special appliance collection.