Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Freeport
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 95-gallon cart Bin (Trash)
Place trash in the provided 95-gallon cart. Overage can be placed in personal bags or cans up to 32 gallons and under 50 pounds. No electronics or hazardous materials.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste and non-recyclable wrappers
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Small broken household items
City-issued 95-gallon cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables are collected every other week. All items must be loose in the cart (no plastic bags). Excess cardboard must be broken down to 3x3 feet and tied with natural twine.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard (up to 3x3 feet)
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and mail
- ✓Clean plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags or film
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronic waste
Yard Waste Bin
Requires an active paid subscription with Gill's Freeport Disposal. Operates April through November using a provided 65-gallon yard waste cart. Call 815-233-5644 to enroll.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Weeds and garden plants
- ✓Small twigs and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Scheduled Thursdays (or free monthly drop-off)
Placement
Schedule in advance by calling 815-233-5644 and place items curbside the evening before Thursday collection. Items must be light enough for a single driver to lift safely.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Barrels and crates
- ✓ Major appliances (requires specific scheduling)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Tires and car batteries
- ✕ Hazardous liquid chemicals
- ✕ Construction and demolition waste
Each scheduled curbside bulk item carries a $20 collection fee. Alternatively, you can use the Re-Fresh Freeport drop-off event once a month for completely free disposal.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, garbage and recycling services for that day and the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active season, yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular refuse.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is no service delay for the week. Holidays like MLK Day, Juneteenth, and Columbus Day do not affect the schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Skip the Plastic Bags
Never enclose your recyclables in plastic garbage bags or grocery sacks. Bagged recycling contaminates the stream and wraps around automated sorting equipment at the facility, causing mechanical failures.
Bundle Your Cardboard
If your cardboard boxes are too large or numerous for the recycling bin, you must break them down into 3-foot by 3-foot squares and tie them with natural twine before setting them out.
Schedule Bulk Properly
Do not place bulky items at the curb without calling ahead. Unscheduled bulk waste will not be collected by standard trucks, and you may face a municipal citation for illegal dumping.
Seasonal Information
Spring to Fall
April - NovemberThe subscription-based landscape waste program is active during these months. Ensure you have registered directly with Gill's Freeport Disposal and use the provided 65-gallon cart for your organic debris.
Year-Round (First Saturday)
January - DecemberTake advantage of 'Re-Fresh Freeport' on the first Saturday of every month from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Residents can drop off trash and bulk items for free at the Transfer Station with a valid ID.
Winter
December - MarchDuring severe Northern Illinois snowstorms, collection times may be delayed. Ensure your 95-gallon cart is placed slightly back in your driveway to avoid interference with city snow plows.
About Freeport Waste Management
Waste Hauling through Gill's Freeport Disposal
The City of Freeport partners with locally operated Gill's Freeport Disposal for comprehensive residential waste management. Single-family households are provided with a heavy-duty 95-gallon refuse cart to accommodate everyday household trash. To keep neighborhoods clean, residents generating higher volumes of waste can place overflow garbage into securely tied plastic bags or personal cans, provided they do not exceed 32 gallons in capacity or weigh more than 50 pounds.
Upgraded Single-Stream Recycling
Freeport strongly encourages environmental sustainability through its single-stream recycling program. Residents can request a 95-gallon recycling container, which is serviced on an every-other-week schedule. To prevent dangerous jams at the material recovery facility, all recyclables must be placed loosely inside the container without plastic bags. Any excess corrugated cardboard that cannot fit inside the recycling tote must be flattened, broken down into 3-foot by 3-foot sections, and neatly bundled with natural twine.
Subscription-Based Yard Waste Program
Unlike basic garbage collection, curbside landscape waste removal is not automatically included in Freeport's standard utility service. Residents wishing to dispose of grass clippings, leaves, weeds, and twigs must actively subscribe to Gill's seasonal yard waste program, which runs from mid-April through November. Subscribers receive a dedicated 65-gallon yard waste cart for an annual seasonal fee. If you are not registered for the subscription, yard waste left at the curb will be ignored by the drivers.
Free Monthly Bulk Drop-Off: Re-Fresh Freeport
To combat illegal dumping and support local property maintenance, the City of Freeport hosts a monthly 'Re-Fresh Freeport' event. On the first Saturday of each month, city residents can bring bulky household items and excess trash directly to the Freeport Transfer Station on South Walnut Avenue at no cost. Residents must present a valid ID to verify residency, and all transported loads should be covered with a tarp to prevent roadside littering and ensure safe transit.
Scheduling Fee-Based Curbside Bulk Pickups
If you cannot transport large items to the Transfer Station, Gill's Freeport Disposal offers curbside bulk item and white goods collection on Thursdays for a pre-paid fee of $20 per item. Residents must contact customer service in advance to schedule the pickup. Importantly, the item must be manageable enough for a single driver to lift safely without assistance. Electronic waste, tires, and hazardous materials are strictly banned from this service.
Drop-off Facilities
Freeport Transfer Station
2133 S. Walnut Avenue, Freeport, IL 61032
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay extra for yard waste pickup in Freeport?
Yes. Yard waste collection is not included in your standard municipal garbage service. You must independently subscribe to Gill's Freeport Disposal for a seasonal fee (approximately $250). You will then receive a 65-gallon cart for grass, leaves, and twigs.
Where can I throw away my old furniture for free?
The City offers a 'Re-Fresh Freeport' event on the first Saturday of each month. City residents can bring bulk items and excess trash to the Freeport Transfer Station at 2133 S. Walnut Road between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. for free disposal. Remember to bring your ID.
Can I use my own garbage cans if the 95-gallon cart gets full?
Yes, if you generate more garbage than your provided 95-gallon cart can hold, you are allowed to place the extra trash in heavy-duty bags or your own personal garbage cans, as long as they do not exceed 32 gallons in capacity or weigh more than 50 pounds.
How do I get rid of an old television or computer monitor?
Electronic waste is banned from Illinois landfills and will not be picked up by Gill's Freeport Disposal at the curb, nor is it accepted at the Re-Fresh Freeport drop-off. You must take your e-waste to a certified regional recycling facility or a dedicated electronics drop-off event.