Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Galesburg
Trash Day
Trash is collected weekly, Monday through Friday, depending on your street address and neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected every other week on your designated trash collection day.
Yard Waste
Curbside collection occurs weekly on your trash day from March 1 through November 30, and once per month in December, January, and February.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (can be placed curbside after 4:00 PM the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Municipal utility accounts are billed every three months. Payments can be submitted online, by mail, at City Hall, or placed in the outdoor drop boxes located at the Dodge Street and Gardner Avenue entrances.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (ACH), Mail, In Person, Drop Box
96-gallon cart provided by WM Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the curb by 6:00 AM on your collection day or after 4:00 PM the night before. Up to two extra 33-gallon cans (<50 lbs) are allowed. Loose bags and cardboard boxes used as trash containers will not be accepted.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Bagged garbage
96-gallon cart provided by WM Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected every other week. All items must be placed loosely into the cart. Do not bag recyclables. Carts must be spaced at least 3 feet away from any obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food or liquid waste
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Use biodegradable paper yard bags or a designated 33-gallon trash container. Limbs must be tied with degradable twine, be under 5 feet long, weigh less than 50 pounds, and not exceed 5 inches in diameter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and grass clippings
- ✓Garden waste and shrub clippings
- ✓Brush and woody material
- ✓Limbs and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free item per month (must be scheduled 48 hours in advance).
Placement
After scheduling, place the item at the curb after 4:00 PM the night before your regular collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and large furniture
- ✓ Water heaters and appliances
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics (televisions, computers)
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
If you need to dispose of more than one oversized item in a single month, you must purchase a $20 oversized item sticker from City Hall or Hy-Vee and attach it to the additional piece of furniture.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday on or before your regular collection day, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active collection season, yard waste experiences the same holiday delay schedule as standard refuse and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, your standard weekday collection schedule will not be impacted.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - FebruaryUnlike many municipalities that stop yard waste collection entirely in winter, Galesburg offers one designated week of collection per month in December, January, and February. Check the city calendar for the exact active week.
Spring
MarchWeekly yard waste collection resumes the first week of March. As the snow melts, take time to clear away dead shrubs and yard debris, ensuring they are properly bagged or bundled before placing them at the curb.
Spring Clean-up
AprilThe City typically hosts an annual 'Spring Clean-up Week' in April, offering residents a chance to dispose of additional accumulated household junk without utilizing their standard monthly bulk allowance. Look out for announcements on the city website.
Local Tips & Community Info
Reliable Residential Waste Services in Galesburg
The City of Galesburg maintains a strong partnership with Waste Management (WM) to oversee all local residential trash, recycling, and yard waste collection. This collaboration ensures that households enjoy a dependable and environmentally conscious solid waste disposal system. Every eligible home is equipped with a sturdy 96-gallon cart specifically designed for automated weekly pickup. Residents are encouraged to ensure that all garbage is securely bagged before it goes into the container to prevent littering and pest issues around the neighborhood.
Proper Cart Placement and Local Guidelines
To ensure smooth collections, the placement of your waste cart is critical. Galesburg residents must have their bins rolled to the street by 6:00 a.m. on their scheduled collection day. The wheels of the cart should be backed up directly against the curb. Additionally, you must leave a minimum of three feet of clearance around the bin, keeping it far from parked cars, mailboxes, and streetlights. Once the WM truck has serviced your neighborhood, the empty containers must be removed from the curb by the end of the day.
Environmental Responsibility: Recycling Protocol
Galesburg strongly advocates for sustainable waste practices through its comprehensive recycling program. Your recycling container is meant for clean, dry, and loose materials. Standard household items such as flattened cardboard, paper products, empty aluminum cans, and rigid plastics are always welcome. However, it is essential to avoid wish-cycling. Items like plastic grocery bags, food scraps, clothing, and hazardous chemicals are strictly prohibited and can contaminate an entire load of good recyclables.
Managing Yard Debris and Extra Capacity
Seasonal yard upkeep often results in excess organic waste. Fortunately, Galesburg offers dedicated yard waste pickup during the growing season. Branches and brush should be bundled appropriately or placed in approved compostable paper bags. If your family regularly exceeds the capacity of the standard 96-gallon trash bin, you do not have to resort to overflowing your cart. Residents can contact Waste Management customer service directly to request an additional container for a reasonable supplemental fee.
Holiday Schedule Shifts and Weather Disruptions
Throughout the year, national holidays can briefly interrupt normal operations. Waste Management observes several major holidays, including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If one of these holidays lands on a weekday, collections for that day and the remainder of the week are offset by exactly one day. For instance, Thursday pickups will happen on Friday. Normal schedules resume the following Monday.
How to Resolve a Missed Pickup
Despite the highly efficient routing system, oversights can occasionally happen. If your cart was out by the 6:00 a.m. deadline but was passed over, you can easily report a missed pickup. The most efficient way is to use the WM self-service portal online, where the reporting link becomes available after 6:00 p.m. on your service day. Alternatively, you can always reach out to the customer support hotline to request an expedited recovery dispatch.
Drop-off Facilities
Knox County Landfill
996 Knox Rd 2300 N, Oneida, IL 61467
Materials Accepted
Eagle Enterprises Recycling
510 SE 3rd St, Galva, IL 61434
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my waste cart is damaged or stolen?
You can request a cart repair or a full replacement directly through the Waste Management online support portal. Simply enter your address to verify eligibility, or call customer service for assistance.
Can I leave extra garbage bags next to my bin?
No, all household trash must fit securely inside your designated 96-gallon cart with the lid closed completely. Overflow bags left on the ground may be subject to additional fees or ignored entirely.
How do I dispose of hazardous materials like paint or motor oil?
Household hazardous waste cannot be thrown into your standard trash or recycling bins. These items require special handling and must be taken to a designated Knox County hazardous waste drop-off event or facility.