Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Elmwood Park
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.
City-issued 65-gallon or 95-gallon Toter Bin (Trash)
All refuse must fit inside the cart with the lid closed. Excess garbage must be placed in a small personal container (under 50 lbs). Do not pile plastic bags directly on the ground. Place at curb by 6:00 AM on service day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste and scraps
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
- ✓Styrofoam
City-issued 65-gallon Toter Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loosely in the bin. Do not bag them. Rinse out all bottles, cans, and jars, and throw away any plastic lids before recycling.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and chipboard
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic water and milk jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Food waste and greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Window glass or mirrors
Yard Waste Bin
Collected mid-April to Nov 30. No stickers required. Use Kraft paper bags or personal 33-gallon cans marked with an 'X'. Brush must be bundled with biodegradable twine (max 4 ft long, 2 ft wide, 50 lbs).
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and weeds
- ✓Plant and garden debris
- ✓Tree limbs and brush (under 3 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on regular service day
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb by 6:00 AM on your service day. For items over 50 pounds or large appliances, you must call Flood Brothers 24 hours in advance.
Accepted
- ✓ Small tables, chairs, and household furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Rolled carpet (must be taped/tied, max 4 ft long, 2 ft diameter, 50 lbs)
- ✓ White goods and appliances (requires 24-hour notice)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Loose construction debris exceeding 1 cubic yard
- ✕ Electronics and televisions
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquid paints
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
Standard bulk items and appliances are free. Excessive construction debris costs a minimum of $15.00 per yard (two-yard minimum) and must be scheduled.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a designated holiday falls on a weekday (or is observed on a Monday after a Sunday holiday) on or before your scheduled pickup day, your service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. Friday customers will be serviced on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule during the active season.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the regular Tuesday-Friday collection schedule is not interrupted.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Do Not Bag Your Recyclables
Never place your recyclables inside plastic garbage bags or grocery sacks. The automated sorting machines at the material recovery facility cannot open them, and plastic film causes severe equipment jams.
Remove Lids from Containers
Before tossing plastic bottles, milk jugs, or glass jars into your recycling toter, take a moment to rinse them out and throw the plastic or metal lids into your regular trash cart.
Wrap Mattresses for Pickup
If you are setting a mattress or box spring out for your weekly bulk collection, Cook County health regulations require that the item be completely wrapped and sealed in plastic before the driver can safely load it.
Seasonal Information
Late Autumn
October 21 - November 29The Village Public Works Department runs an annual Leaf Program. Residents are encouraged to rake loose leaves into neat piles along the street (keeping them one foot away from the curb) to be collected by specialized vacuum trucks.
Winter
JanuaryFlood Brothers provides a special collection for live Christmas trees throughout the entire month of January. Ensure all tinsel, ornaments, lights, and nails are completely removed before placing the tree at the curb.
Spring
AprilCurbside yard waste collection officially resumes on April 15th. Before this date, you must either compost your yard debris privately or hold onto it, as it will not be collected with standard winter refuse.
About Elmwood Park Waste Management
Elmwood Park's Modernized Solid Waste Program
In May 2024, the Village of Elmwood Park transitioned its municipal solid waste contract to Flood Brothers Disposal and Recycling Company. This modernized program services all single-family homes and multi-family dwellings with five or fewer units. Under the new guidelines, collection routes strictly operate from Tuesday through Friday, meaning residents who formerly had Monday pickups were moved to Fridays. Every household is provided with 65-gallon or 95-gallon heavy-duty wheeled toters to keep neighborhood streets clean and deter local rodent activity.
Streamlined Single-Stream Recycling
Elmwood Park encourages strong environmental stewardship through a highly convenient comingled recycling system. Residents utilize a village-issued 65-gallon recycling toter to mix standard recyclables like flattened cardboard, junk mail, aluminum cans, and plastic jugs without the need for pre-sorting. The cost of this curbside recycling service is seamlessly integrated into residents' bi-monthly water bills, ensuring there are no hidden or separate fees to participate in Cook County's sustainability efforts.
Comprehensive Yard Waste and Fall Leaf Collection
Maintaining Elmwood Park's green spaces is simple thanks to robust, sticker-free organics programs. Standard yard waste collection runs concurrently with your trash day from mid-April through November. Residents can use brown Kraft paper bags or personal 33-gallon cans marked with an 'X'. Additionally, the Public Works Department runs a dedicated Leaf Program from late October through the end of November, allowing residents to rake loose leaves directly to the edge of the street for specialized vacuum collection.
Managing Bulk Furniture and Large Appliances
The Flood Brothers contract accommodates large household cleanouts by offering weekly bulk item collection. Residents can place standard bulk items weighing under 50 pounds, such as small tables or chairs, at the curb on their regular service day at no extra charge. However, for items exceeding 50 pounds, or for 'white goods' like refrigerators, washing machines, and water heaters, residents must call the Flood Brothers office at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a specialized pickup truck.
Safe E-Waste and Construction Debris Solutions
Under Illinois state law, electronic waste cannot be thrown in the garbage. Elmwood Park solves this by offering a free, year-round e-waste drop-off site at the Public Works Facility on Fullerton Avenue. For DIY home renovations, small amounts of construction debris (like drywall or lumber) are collected for free on trash day, provided they are bagged, weigh under 50 pounds, and total less than one cubic yard. Larger remodeling projects require renting a roll-off dumpster or paying a per-yard removal fee.
Drop-off Facilities
Elmwood Park Public Works E-Waste Drop-Off
7330 W Fullerton Avenue, Elmwood Park, IL 60707
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my trash doesn't fit inside the provided Flood Brothers toter?
If you have extra garbage, you must place it in a small personal trash can that weighs no more than 50 pounds. Do not pile plastic garbage bags loosely on the ground, as this attracts rodents and animals to Elmwood Park neighborhoods.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator or washing machine?
Flood Brothers collects 'white goods' (large appliances) once a week for free on your regular collection day. However, you must call their office at 630-261-0400 at least 24 hours in advance to schedule the pickup. Remember to remove the doors from refrigerators and freezers for safety.
Do I need to buy stickers for yard waste in Elmwood Park?
No. Elmwood Park does not require yard waste stickers. From April 15th through November 30th, you can simply place Kraft paper bags or personal 33-gallon cans marked with an 'X' at the curb on your regular service day.
Where can I throw away an old television or computer?
Televisions and electronics are banned from Illinois landfills and cannot be placed in your Flood Brothers cart. Elmwood Park residents can drop off e-waste for free at the Public Works Facility located at 7330 W Fullerton Avenue on weekdays between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM.