Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Grayslake
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, according to your neighborhood route zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as your trash collection (with select designated areas following a split schedule).
Yard Waste
Landscape waste is collected weekly on your regular collection day from April through November, and curbside leaf vacuuming is provided in the fall.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Garbage and recycling charges are bundled directly into your monthly Village of Grayslake water and sewer utility statement.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, In Person, Phone
Varies (35, 65, or 95-gallon Groot cart) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be securely contained within your selected Groot cart. Place carts at the curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the night before and no later than 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste (if not composting)
- ✓Soiled paper products
Varies (65 or 95-gallon Groot cart) Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely into the cart without being bagged. Break down cardboard boxes to maximize cart space and ensure all food containers are rinsed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Clean plastic containers and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene)
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard (like greasy pizza boxes)
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Use biodegradable 50-pound Kraft bags with a green Groot sticker, or bundle brush (max 4 ft. long, 2 ft. diameter, under 50 lbs) with a sticker. A seasonal subscription cart is also available.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches and twigs
- ✓Garden trimmings
- ✓Brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your standard collection day
Placement
Place your single allowed bulk item at the curb next to your trash cart by 6:00 a.m. Ensure mattresses and box springs are fully enclosed in plastic wrap.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and chairs
- ✓ Wrapped mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Non-metal furniture
- ✓ Large household toys
Not Accepted
- ✕ White goods and major appliances
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Electronics
If you have more than one bulk item, or if the item is exceptionally heavy or large (e.g., a sleeper sofa), you must contact Groot at 847-693-2700 in advance to schedule a special pickup, which may incur additional fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday on or before your scheduled collection day, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on Monday, delaying the entire week's schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
Because landscape waste collection only runs from April through November, winter holidays like Christmas and New Year's do not impact yard waste schedules.
Holidays falling on a Saturday typically do not disrupt the normal Monday-Friday curbside collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilThe Village hosts a free Spring Landscape Clean-up week (usually mid-April). During this single week, residents can place un-stickered paper yard waste bags out on their regular service day.
Autumn
October to NovemberCurbside leaf vacuuming runs from mid-October to the end of November. Rake leaves to the edge of the parkway (not into the street or over storm drains) for scheduled mechanical removal.
Winter
JanuaryHoliday Tree Collection takes place during the first few weeks of January. Place unbagged trees at the curb on your normal service day. Remove all tinsel, lights, and ornaments, and cut trees over 6 feet in half.
Local Tips & Community Info
Residential Refuse Services with Groot Industries
The Village of Grayslake officially contracts with Groot Industries to manage all household garbage and recycling collection. Ensuring neighborhood cleanliness, this partnership provides structured weekly pickups using standardized curbside bins. Residents must place their designated containers at the end of their driveway by 6:00 AM on their scheduled collection morning to guarantee pickup. It is highly advised to avoid overloading the carts, as the lids must be securely closed to prevent litter from blowing into the streets during windy weather.
Using the Recycle Coach Application
Grayslake takes sustainability seriously through its 'Recycle First! Recycle Right!' initiative. To make sorting easier, the village offers free access to the Recycle Coach app. This digital tool allows homeowners to search specific items, such as pizza boxes or plastic clam-shells, to find out exactly which bin they belong in. By utilizing this software, residents reduce contamination at the local recycling facility and stay informed about schedule changes or weather-related route delays.
Organic Composting and Yard Waste
Managing seasonal debris is hassle-free with Grayslake’s comprehensive yard waste programs. The village provides an annual fall leaf vacuuming service for residential neighborhoods, reducing the need for bagging. Additionally, households can opt into an enhanced Green Package subscription, which encourages composting and diverts organic food scraps away from the regional landfill. Standard yard waste must be placed in biodegradable brown paper bags or clearly marked personal cans during the designated growing season.
Disposing of Electronics and Textiles
Standard curbside carts are not meant for hazardous materials or electronic waste. Grayslake residents can utilize the SWALCO (Solid Waste Agency of Lake County) programs for specialized disposal. There is a dedicated drop-off facility located on Berry Avenue that accepts old electronics, computers, textiles, and shoes. However, standard household recyclables like glass and cardboard should not be brought to the SWALCO site and must remain in your curbside bin for Groot to collect.
Holiday Collection Adjustments
Refuse collection routes are subject to shift during major national holidays. If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, all garbage and recycling services for the remainder of that week will be pushed back by exactly one day. For example, a Wednesday holiday means Wednesday pickups move to Thursday, and Friday routes are completed on Saturday. Normal routing resumes the following Monday, so always double-check the village calendar during festive seasons.
Drop-off Facilities
Waste Management Drop-Off Facility
30869 N Route 83, Grayslake, IL
Materials Accepted
Grayslake Public Works Recycling Center
585 Berry Avenue, Grayslake, IL
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage collection in Grayslake, IL?
Groot Industries is the official contracted waste hauler for residential garbage and recycling services in the Village of Grayslake.
How can I check if an item is recyclable in Grayslake?
Residents can download the free Recycle Coach app or use the widget on the village website to search for specific items and receive immediate disposal instructions.
Where can I dispose of old TVs and electronics?
Electronics cannot be placed in your household trash. They must be taken to the SWALCO drop-off location on Berry Avenue for safe and legal recycling.