Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Gurnee
Trash Day
Trash is collected once a week, Monday through Friday, depending on your assigned neighborhood route.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected weekly on your regular service day from April 1 through November 30 (using subscription carts or stickers), along with seasonal bi-weekly curbside leaf vacuuming in the fall.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Village water and sewer services are billed bi-monthly, whereas curbside waste collection is managed through Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) and billed directly to residents on a quarterly advance schedule.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (Bank Debit), Mail, Phone, In Person, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Homeowners aged 65 and older who receive the Lake County Senior Homestead Exemption qualify for the Senior Water Discount Program, which provides a reduced water rate on the first 7,000 gallons per billing period.
Green or Black (varies by cart size) Bin (Trash)
All trash must be contained within the cart with the lid completely closed. Carts should be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper
Green with Yellow Lid Bin (Recycling)
Items must be loose in the cart. Do not bag recyclables in plastic grocery bags. Rinse food containers before recycling.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (empty and dry)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard (like greasy pizza boxes)
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in 30-gallon kraft paper yard waste bags with a prepaid sticker attached, or in a rigid container marked with an 'X'. Brush must be bundled, no larger than 4 feet in length and 50 pounds in weight.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and branches
- ✓Garden trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly
Placement
Place the single bulk item at the curb next to your trash cart by 6:00 AM on your normal service day. Mattresses and box springs must be securely wrapped in plastic.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and couches
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Small household furniture
- ✓ Toilets
Not Accepted
- ✕ White goods (refrigerators, washers)
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste
Large clean-outs, excessive amounts of furniture, or white goods require calling Waste Management directly to schedule a special pickup, which will incur an additional fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on or before your regular collection day, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Landscape waste collection follows the same holiday delay schedule as regular trash.
If the holiday falls on a weekend, your collection schedule is generally not affected during the work week.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
April - NovemberLandscape waste collection is active. Ensure you are using proper kraft paper bags with stickers or a rented yard waste cart. Do not mix yard waste with regular household trash.
Autumn
October - NovemberTake advantage of Gurnee's seasonal fall leaf collection. Keep leaf piles away from storm drains to prevent localized flooding in your neighborhood during heavy fall rains.
Winter
December - MarchDuring heavy snowfalls, avoid placing your trash and recycling carts directly in the street. Place them on your driveway apron to ensure they do not interfere with Village snow plows.
Local Tips & Community Info
Comprehensive Solid Waste Solutions with LRS
The Village of Gurnee has established a franchise agreement with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) to handle weekly garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection. This dedicated partnership guarantees that neighborhoods remain pristine and environmentally compliant throughout the year. All municipal sanitation services are scheduled once a week, and crews operate routes strictly between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Homeowners are advised to roll their bins to the edge of the driveway early in the morning to avoid missing the collection truck.
Service Exceptions for Unincorporated and HOA Properties
It is important to note that not every property with a Gurnee mailing address falls under the municipal LRS contract. If you reside in an unincorporated area, which is typically indicated by a five-digit street address, your waste collection is managed by Warren Township. Unincorporated residents should reach out to the township directly at 847-244-1101 for any service inquiries. Additionally, those living in townhomes or subdivisions managed by a Homeowners Association (HOA) might have an independent private hauler and should consult their property manager.
Navigating Holiday Schedule Interruptions
Holiday festivities can occasionally alter your typical household routine, including when your trash is hauled away. In Gurnee, if a recognized major holiday falls between Sunday and Thursday, your normal LRS collection day will be pushed back by a single day for that week. The village observes six primary holidays that trigger this delay: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Normal neighborhood pickup resumes the following week without issue.
Electronics and State E-Waste Regulations
The State of Illinois enforces the Consumer Electronics Recycling Act (CERA), making it entirely illegal to dispose of televisions, monitors, and computers in your standard curbside bin. Gurnee residents must divert these problem materials from local landfills to protect regional groundwater. To safely dispose of electronic waste, homeowners are encouraged to utilize designated Lake County SWALCO drop-off locations or contact LRS directly at 844-633-3577 to discuss authorized electronics retrieval options.
Sustainable Yard Waste and Appliance Disposal
During the warmer months, managing lawn clippings and brush is essential for property upkeep. Yard debris must be properly bagged in biodegradable kraft paper sacks or placed in approved landscape containers, as Illinois state law prohibits mixing organic yard waste with standard garbage. For large household appliances, such as microwaves, residents should consider donating working units to local charitable organizations. Non-working metal appliances can often be taken to a local scrap yard or handled via special bulk collection.
Drop-off Facilities
SWALCO (Solid Waste Agency of Lake County) Drop-off Facility
1311 N. Estes Street, Gurnee, IL 60031
Materials Accepted
Waste Management - Grayslake Hauling
Route 83 and Route 120, Grayslake, IL
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I contact for garbage collection issues in Gurnee?
Most village residents should call LRS at 844-633-3577. However, if you live in an unincorporated area, you must contact Warren Township at 847-244-1101.
What time does the garbage truck come in Gurnee?
LRS conducts weekly neighborhood collections between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on your assigned service day.
Can I throw a microwave or TV in the trash?
No. Under Illinois law, televisions and electronics must be taken to a registered e-waste drop-off site. Microwaves should be recycled at a scrap yard or donated.