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.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
City utility bills are issued bi-monthly and combine water, wastewater, and contracted refuse/recycling charges on a single statement.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (E-Z Pay), Mail, 24-Hour Drop Box, In Person
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Residential Refuse Collection Overview
The City of Elmhurst provides a highly flexible refuse program in partnership with Republic Services. To accommodate different household needs, residents can choose between a monthly cart subscription (offered in 35, 65, or 95-gallon capacities) or the traditional pay-as-you-throw sticker system. To ensure successful pickup, all garbage must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated neighborhood collection day. For those using the sticker program, every 33-gallon bag or generic can requires a prepaid Elmhurst refuse sticker to be securely attached.
Recycling Guidelines and Container Rules
A comprehensive recycling program is automatically included for all single-family dwellings in the city. Each property is issued a dedicated 65-gallon blue recycling cart by Republic Services. Acceptable commingled materials include flattened corrugated cardboard, glass jars, aluminum cans, and plastic containers labeled #1 through #5 and #7. It is crucial that recyclables remain loose; bagging them in plastic film disrupts the sorting facility. Furthermore, municipal ordinances dictate that carts must be stored out of public view on non-collection days and pulled back from the curb by 7:00 p.m. following your pickup.
Yard Waste and Composting Solutions
The seasonal yard waste program kicks off during the first week of April and concludes at the end of November. Grass clippings, leaves, and plant trimmings must be disposed of in standard 33-gallon biodegradable paper bags or a dedicated Republic Services yard waste cart. When utilizing paper bags, a green Elmhurst yard waste sticker must be prominently displayed on each bag. Brush and branches can also be collected provided they are tightly bundled, measure no more than four feet in length, and weigh under 50 pounds.
Handling Bulk Household Goods and E-Waste
Every residential address in Elmhurst is permitted to leave one large bulk item, such as an old mattress, wooden chair, or sofa, at the curb alongside their standard weekly trash at no additional charge. However, appliances, known as white goods, and electronic waste, like televisions and computer towers, demand specialized handling due to state environmental laws. Republic Services accommodates e-waste and appliance curbside pickups, but these require advanced scheduling and an additional fee paid directly to the hauler.
Holiday Adjustments to Service
There are six major holidays that actively impact the standard Elmhurst sanitation schedule: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. When any of these national observances falls on a weekday, all subsequent collections for that specific week will shift one day forward. For example, a Thursday pickup will be executed on Friday, and Friday routes will be completed on Saturday.
Drop-off Facilities
DuPage County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
156 Fort Hill Dr., Naperville, IL 60540
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy Elmhurst refuse and yard waste stickers?
Stickers are readily available for purchase at the Finance Counter at Elmhurst City Hall, local grocery stores like Jewel-Osco, and various hardware stores and pharmacies throughout the city.
What should I do if my Republic Services trash bin is broken?
If your municipal cart suffers damage, such as a cracked lid or a missing wheel, you should contact the Elmhurst Public Works Department or call Republic Services directly to request a complimentary repair or replacement.
Are fall leaves picked up for free in Elmhurst?
Yes, the City of Elmhurst typically coordinates a free six-week fall leaf collection program. During this designated window, leaves must still be placed in paper yard bags, but the usual green yard waste stickers are not required.