Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Galesburg
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Use Degradable Twine for Brush
When bundling loose branches or limbs for yard waste collection, never use wire, nylon rope, or plastic ties. You must use degradable twine so that the material can be safely processed at the composting facility.
Don't Use Cardboard as a Trash Can
While you are allowed two extra personal trash cans alongside your WM cart, the City of Galesburg strictly prohibits using empty cardboard boxes as makeshift refuse containers, as they break apart quickly when exposed to morning dew or rain.
Give the Carts Breathing Room
Waste Management utilizes automated trucks with mechanical arms to lift your carts. Ensure there is at least a 3-foot clearance between your trash cart, recycling cart, parked cars, trees, and mailboxes so the driver can safely service them.
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.
About Galesburg Waste Management
Comprehensive Waste Management in Galesburg
The City of Galesburg maintains a clean and healthy environment for its residents through an exclusive partnership with Waste Management (WM). The program is designed to cover all bases for single-family residences across Knox County, offering automated weekly trash collection alongside an every-other-week single-stream recycling service. Homeowners are provided with durable 96-gallon rollout carts, which act as the primary vessel for all household solid waste, streamlining operations for automated truck arms.
Navigating Galesburg's Refuse Allowances
While the 96-gallon WM cart serves as the foundation for your weekly garbage, the city offers some flexibility for larger households. Residents are permitted to place up to two additional personal refuse containers at the curb, provided each does not exceed a 33-gallon capacity and weighs under 50 pounds. However, it is important to note that loose garbage bags left on the ground will explicitly not be collected by WM drivers, nor will cardboard boxes used as makeshift trash cans, as they disintegrate easily when wet.
An Adaptable Yard Waste Schedule
Given the distinct seasons of Central Illinois, Galesburg's yard waste program is tailored to adapt to fluctuating weather conditions. Weekly collection runs from the beginning of March through the end of November to handle heavy spring growth and autumn leaf falls. Uniquely, the city does not completely suspend yard waste in the winter; instead, it shifts to a specialized once-a-month pickup during specific designated weeks in December, January, and February to accommodate occasional off-season yard work.
Managing Heavy Bulk Furniture and Appliances
When it is time to upgrade your home appliances or replace an old mattress, Galesburg provides an accessible solution. Residents are allowed the collection of one oversized bulk item per month at no extra charge, but this requires mandatory pre-scheduling with WM at least 48 hours in advance. For households conducting larger cleanouts that require disposing of multiple bulky items in a single month, a $20 oversized item sticker must be purchased from City Hall or a local Hy-Vee store for each additional piece.
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
Can I leave loose bags of trash next to my cart in Galesburg?
No. The City of Galesburg explicitly states that loose bags left on the ground will not be accepted by Waste Management. If you have extra garbage, you may place it in up to two additional personal 33-gallon cans, as long as each can weighs less than 50 pounds.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress?
You are permitted one free bulky item collection per month, but you must contact Waste Management or go online to schedule the pickup at least 48 hours in advance. Mattresses and box springs must be completely wrapped in plastic before being placed at the curb.
Is yard waste collected during the winter in Galesburg?
Yes, but on a severely reduced schedule. Weekly yard waste collection stops at the end of November, but the city provides one specialized week of yard waste collection per month during December, January, and February.
What should I do if I have multiple pieces of large furniture to throw away at once?
If you need to dispose of more than the one free monthly oversized item, you must purchase a $20 oversized item sticker for each additional piece. These stickers can be bought at Galesburg City Hall or at local Hy-Vee customer service desks, and must be attached to the item before pickup.