Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Granite City
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.
Green or Black Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged before being placed in the cart. Carts should be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day with the opening facing the street.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Broken glass (securely wrapped)
Blue or Green with a Yellow Lid Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loose in the cart. Do not bag your recycling. Cardboard must be broken down to ensure it fits inside with the lid closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper and junk mail
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (empty and rinsed)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
- ✕Glass bottles and jars
Yard Waste Bin
Place in biodegradable paper yard waste bags or a standard 32-gallon can clearly marked 'Yard Waste'. Branches must be bundled, no longer than 4 feet, and under 50 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and branches
- ✓Garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One large item per week
Placement
Place the bulk item at least 3 feet away from your trash and recycling carts to allow the automated truck arms enough clearance.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and couches
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Wooden furniture
- ✓ Large non-freon appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Refrigerators and freezers (Freon)
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Construction materials (drywall, concrete)
- ✕ Hazardous waste or liquid paints
Standard weekly bulk item collection is included in the residential service fee; extreme move-out piles or construction debris require a paid special pickup or dumpster rental.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a designated holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collection for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the same holiday delay schedule during its active collection season.
If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there is typically no disruption to the regular collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Bags
Never bag your recyclables. Plastic grocery bags wrap around the gears of recycling facility sorting machines, causing dangerous jams and costly delays.
Keep Scrap Metal Out
Despite our steel-town roots, heavy scrap metal, auto parts, and industrial components cannot go into your curbside recycling bin. Take these to a local metal recycler instead.
Rinse to Win
A quick rinse of your soda cans, milk jugs, and soup tins prevents sticky residue from ruining an entire load of clean paper and cardboard.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
April - AugustYard waste collection resumes in early April. Ensure all grass clippings are properly bagged in kraft paper bags to prevent odor and pest issues during the hot, humid summer months.
Autumn
October - NovemberDuring peak leaf-fall season, the volume of yard waste increases significantly. Do not rake leaves directly into the street; they must be bagged or placed in designated yard waste containers.
Winter
December - MarchSevere Midwestern snowstorms can delay collection routes. If a snow emergency is declared, keep carts slightly back from the street edge to allow city snowplows to clear the roads safely.
About Granite City Waste Management
Comprehensive Guide to Granite City Refuse Collection
Granite City, Illinois, provides structured curbside trash and recycling services designed to maintain neighborhood cleanliness and support Madison County's sustainability targets. Through a municipal partnership with Waste Management, residential properties receive weekly collections. Understanding your specific pickup day and the guidelines for cart placement is essential for ensuring smooth, uninterrupted service year-round.
Maximizing Your Curbside Recycling Efforts
With its rich industrial history, Granite City understands the value of material reuse. The city's single-stream recycling program allows residents to mix paper, cardboard, and rigid plastics in one cart. However, strict adherence to clean recycling is enforced to prevent load contamination. Residents must ensure that items are free of food residue and never bagged in plastic film, which can severely damage sorting equipment at local recovery facilities.
Managing Yard Waste in the Metro East
During the growing season, managing grass clippings and fallen leaves is a priority for Granite City homeowners. The city offers a dedicated yard waste collection program from early spring through late fall. To participate, organic debris must be placed in biodegradable kraft paper bags or clearly marked personal containers. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for green waste and will result in a missed pickup.
Handling Large Items and Household Cleanouts
Disposing of worn-out furniture or large household goods doesn't have to be a hassle. Granite City's waste program typically allows for the collection of bulky items alongside regular weekly refuse. Certain restrictions apply, particularly for electronics, appliances containing Freon, and construction debris, which require alternative disposal methods at designated Madison County drop-off centers.
Protecting Local Waterways Through Proper Disposal
Situated in close proximity to the Mississippi River, keeping Granite City's streets free of windblown litter is an environmental necessity. Residents are urged to avoid overfilling their trash and recycling bins. Keeping lids completely closed prevents lightweight plastics and papers from escaping during high winds and heavy storms, ultimately protecting local aquatic ecosystems from pollution.
Drop-off Facilities
Madison County Household Hazardous Waste Collection
249 N Old St Louis Rd, Wood River, IL 62095
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I place my bins out in Granite City?
All trash, recycling, and yard waste bins should be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day to guarantee pickup, as route times can vary.
How do I dispose of a mattress or box spring?
You can set out one mattress or box spring as your weekly bulk item. However, for the safety of the sanitation workers, mattresses and box springs must be completely wrapped and sealed in plastic.
What should I do with old electronics and TVs?
Electronic waste is banned from Illinois landfills and cannot be placed in curbside bins. You must take old computers, televisions, and monitors to a certified Madison County e-waste drop-off event or facility.
Who do I contact if my trash cart is damaged or stolen?
If your city-issued Waste Management cart is cracked, missing a lid, or stolen, contact the Granite City Public Works department or Waste Management customer service directly to request a repair or replacement.