Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Grayslake
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic Bags
The sorting machines at Groot's recycling facilities cannot process plastic bags or film. If you bag your recyclables, the entire bag may be sent to the landfill as contamination. Keep all items loose in your recycling cart.
Keep Electronics Out of the Bins
Illinois law prohibits disposing of electronic waste (e-waste) in standard curbside trash or recycling. Computers, televisions, and printers must be taken to specialized SWALCO drop-off locations or the Grayslake Public Works Recycling Center.
No Dirt or Rocks in Yard Waste
When bagging your landscape waste or filling a subscription cart, make sure not to include sod, dirt, rocks, or large logs. These materials are considered construction debris and will cause your yard waste to be rejected at the curb.
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.
About Grayslake Waste Management
Grayslake's Integrated Groot Waste Program
Following the October 2025 transition to Groot Industries, Grayslake residents benefit from a streamlined, tiered waste collection system. Households can select the level of service that best fits their needs by choosing between a 35, 65, or 95-gallon refuse cart, with corresponding quarterly rates. Residents are allowed to exchange their cart size once per calendar year at no extra charge to ensure optimal capacity.
The Green Package Curbside Composting
In an effort to divert organic matter from local landfills, Grayslake offers an optional 'Green Package' curbside composting subscription. For a flat annual fee, participating households receive a dedicated 35-gallon cart specifically for organic waste. This cart is collected weekly on your regular trash day, offering an eco-friendly alternative for food scraps and compostable materials.
Flexible Yard Waste Collection Options
Landscape waste pickup in Grayslake runs from April through November and is strictly banned from regular garbage under Illinois law. Residents can choose a pay-as-you-go approach by attaching a green $3.50 Groot sticker to 50-pound Kraft paper bags or brush bundles. Alternatively, frequent gardeners can opt for a seasonal flat-fee subscription that includes a designated yard waste cart.
Free Weekly Bulk Item Disposal
Unlike many municipalities that require pre-payment for all heavy items, Grayslake allows residents to set out one standard bulk item per week at no additional charge. Whether it's a broken chair, an old mattress (which must be securely wrapped in plastic), or a large toy, you can simply place it next to your Groot cart on your regular collection morning.
Seasonal Cleanup and Leaf Vacuuming
To help maintain pristine neighborhoods, the Village coordinates a special Spring Landscape Waste Clean-up week in mid-April, during which residents can place bagged yard waste at the curb without needing stickers. Come autumn, the Public Works Department initiates a robust leaf vacuuming program from mid-October through November, allowing residents to rake leaves directly to the parkway for removal.
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
Where can I buy Groot yard waste stickers in Grayslake?
You can purchase the green Groot landscape waste stickers for $3.50 each at local retailers, including the Grayslake Ace Hardware and the Jewel/Osco located on Route 120. They are also available to order directly on Groot's website.
How do I sign up for the Grayslake composting program?
Residents can subscribe to the Green Package Curbside Composting Program by contacting Groot at 847-693-2700. For an annual fee of $183.75, you will receive a 35-gallon organics cart for weekly food scrap and compost collection.
Am I allowed to change the size of my Groot garbage cart?
Yes. Each household is permitted to swap their refuse or recycling cart size (choosing between 35, 65, and 95 gallons) once per calendar year at no additional charge. Contact Groot customer service to request an exchange.
What should I do if my garbage pickup is missed?
If your trash, recycling, or yard waste is missed on your scheduled day, call Groot directly at 847-693-2700 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or use the Groot mobile app to submit a service ticket for rapid resolution.