Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Evanston
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-branded Cart (35, 65, or 95-gallon) Bin (Trash)
All waste must be bagged, contained, or bundled. Cart lids should be able to close. Carts must not exceed 50 lbs. Material must be at the curb or alley by 7 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food packaging
City-branded Cart Bin (Recycling)
Place items loosely in the recycling cart. Do not bag recyclables. Carts must not exceed 50 lbs. Download the Recycle Coach App to verify acceptable materials.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Hazardous materials
Yard Waste Bin
Use the City-provided 35g or 95g Food and Yard Waste cart, or use stickered biodegradable paper bags (stickers are $2.50). Cart must not exceed 50 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Fruits, vegetables, and grains
- ✓Meat, bones, and eggshells
- ✓Coffee grounds and paper towels
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Twice a year for free (Spring and Fall), or on-demand for a fee
Placement
Bulk trash must be placed on the alley line or parkway by 7 a.m. on the scheduled Friday. Crews will not remove items from private property.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Furniture (couches, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Large household items
- ✓ Up to 25 medium garbage bags (equaling 6 cubic yards)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction material
- ✕ Tires and appliances
- ✕ Electronics
- ✕ Hazardous materials (gas, oil, paint)
Special Pickups outside the free dates cost a $100 flat fee for the first 3 cubic yards, and $25 per additional cubic yard, billed to your water account.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a City-recognized holiday falls on or before your regular collection day, services will be postponed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Food and yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard refuse.
Residents are highly encouraged to use the Recycle Coach app to receive direct service reminders and holiday schedule updates.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Mind the 50-Pound Limit
The City of Evanston strictly enforces a 50-pound maximum weight limit for all residential carts (refuse, recycling, and yard waste). If your cart exceeds this weight, it will not be serviced by the collection trucks.
Break Down and Box Glass for Bulk Pickup
If you are throwing away glass items during the bi-annual free bulk pickup or a scheduled special pickup, safety rules require that the glass be broken up, securely boxed, taped shut, and clearly labeled as 'glass'.
No Electronics in the Trash
It is illegal in Illinois to dispose of electronics in municipal solid waste. Never place cell phones, laptops, or TVs in your regular garbage or recycling carts. Use the SWANCC drop-off facilities or the Ecology Center for proper e-waste disposal.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - MarchFrom December through March, the food and yard waste collection transitions from a weekly schedule to an every-other-week schedule. Winter collections alternate between 'A' weeks (Monday/Tuesday routes) and 'B' weeks (Wednesday/Thursday routes).
Spring and Fall
April and August/SeptemberEvanston offers its free bulk trash collection in April (Spring) and late August to September (Fall). Your exact bulk pickup day always falls on a Friday corresponding to your normal weekly trash day.
Winter Holiday
December - JanuaryThe City of Evanston provides seasonal holiday light recycling, normally from December 1 to January 31 each year. You can drop off string lights, extension cords, and rope lights at locations like the Levy Senior Center or Ecology Center.
About Evanston Waste Management
Universal Food and Yard Waste Composting
Evanston offers a robust, year-round food and yard waste collection service. Through their municipal program, residents can compost items like fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, eggshells, grains, coffee grounds, and paper towels alongside standard yard waste. Collection occurs weekly from April through November and transitions to every other week from December through March. Households are automatically enrolled for a $7 monthly fee applied to their water bill, though an opt-out option is available.
Flexible Trash Cart Sizing
The City of Evanston understands that not all households generate the same amount of waste. By default, residents receive a 95-gallon refuse cart, but they can easily downsize to a 65-gallon or a 35-gallon cart to save money on their monthly service fees. The cost of trash service automatically includes access to a recycling cart (up to 95-gallons) at no additional charge.
Bi-Annual Free Bulk Trash Collection
To help residents clear out large household items, Evanston provides a free bulk garbage collection twice a year—once in the spring and once in the fall. On your designated bulk trash day, you can place up to six cubic yards of material (roughly the equivalent of one mattress and box spring, or 25 medium bags) on the alley line or parkway without incurring any special fees.
On-Demand Special Pick-Ups
If you miss the free bi-annual bulk days or have excessive waste from a major clean-up or move, the City offers scheduled Special Pick-ups through the 311 Center. For residential properties with 1-5 units, there is a flat fee of $100 for the first three cubic yards of material, and $25 for each additional cubic yard. To support this, a nominal $1 per-unit monthly pilot fee is applied to water bills to ensure these services run efficiently year-round.
Drop-off Facilities
Evanston Ecology Center
2024 McCormick Blvd, Evanston, IL 60201
Materials Accepted
SWANCC Glenview Transfer Station (Electronics Drop-off)
3 Providence Way, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change the size of my trash cart in Evanston?
You can request a different cart size (35, 65, or 95 gallons) to better fit your household's needs and adjust your monthly rate. Households are permitted one free adjustment to their service per year by calling the 311 Center at 847-448-4311. Additional changes within the same year incur a $90 fee.
Can I compost meat and bones in my Evanston yard waste cart?
Yes! Evanston's expanded food and yard waste service accepts a wide variety of food scraps, including meat, bones, eggshells, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and paper towels, in addition to standard grass clippings and leaves.
How do I dispose of old appliances or tires in Evanston?
Tires and appliances like refrigerators or ovens are not collected during standard bulk trash pickups. However, Evanston residents can arrange for the free removal of these items by calling 311 (or 847-448-4311) to schedule a specialized separate collection.
What should I do if my garbage cart is heavier than 50 pounds?
The City of Evanston strictly enforces a 50-pound maximum weight limit for all refuse, recycling, and yard waste carts to protect sanitation workers and equipment. If your cart is too heavy, it will not be emptied. You must distribute the weight or remove items before the next collection.