Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Homer Glen
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.
Light Green Bin (Trash)
Place trash in the village-provided 95-gallon light green cart. Residents may also set out up to three personal 35-gallon cans or heavy-duty garbage bags per week, provided each weighs no more than 50 pounds. Carts cannot be placed at the curb before 6:00 PM the night prior and must be out by 6:00 AM on service day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste and wrappers
- ✓Styrofoam
Dark Green Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loose inside the dark green cart. Do not bag recyclables. Break down cardboard to ensure the cart lid closes completely.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Clean plastic bottles, jugs, and containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic shopping bags
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Food or liquid residue
- ✕Electronics or hazardous materials
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Do not use plastic bags. Use biodegradable paper yard waste bags or a personal 32-gallon can with a red 'Yard Waste Only' sticker (available at Village Hall). Branches must be cut to 3-4 foot lengths, be no wider than 6 inches in diameter, and bundled with twine (under 50 lbs).
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Garden debris
- ✓Small branches and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One large item per week
Placement
Place the bulk item at the curb by 6:00 AM on your collection day. Ensure the item is at least 3 feet away from your wheeled carts so the automated truck arm has clearance.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Tables and bookcases
- ✓ Rolled carpeting (up to 4 rolls, cut to 4 feet, max 50 lbs each)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Appliances containing Freon (refrigerators, freezers)
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Large quantities of construction or demolition debris
- ✕ Liquid paints or hazardous household chemicals
While one bulk item is free weekly, residents with large cleanouts or remodel projects can contact Homewood Disposal directly to rent a temporary roll-off dumpster at negotiated village rates.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a designated holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collection for that day and the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day. Friday collections will be moved to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule during the active April-November season.
If a major holiday falls on a Sunday, it is generally observed on Monday, delaying the entire week's schedule. If the holiday falls on a Saturday (like Independence Day occasionally), there are no service delays for the week.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Loose is the Law for Recycling
Never enclose your recyclables in garbage bags or plastic grocery sacks. The sorting equipment at local Will County recycling centers cannot open the bags, and plastic film causes frequent machine jams.
Keep Dirt and Rocks Out of Green Waste
Yard waste trucks deliver materials directly to commercial composting sites. Dirt, rocks, and sod do not break down in these facilities and will cause your yard waste bags or carts to be rejected by the driver.
Rinse Away Leftover Food
A half-empty soda can or an unrinsed peanut butter jar can contaminate an entire load of clean paper and cardboard. Take a moment to scrape and lightly rinse your containers before tossing them in the dark green cart.
Seasonal Information
Spring through Fall
April - NovemberYard waste collection officially runs from April 1 through November 30. During this active growing season, ensure all organic debris is placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your regular trash collection day.
Winter
JanuaryDuring the month of January, real Christmas trees are classified as yard waste and will be collected separately from regular refuse so they can be chipped or composted. Remove all lights, ornaments, and tinsel before placing the tree at the curb.
Severe Weather
December - MarchIntense Midwestern winter snowstorms may cause minor route delays. If snow plows are active, keep your carts slightly recessed into your driveway rather than directly in the street to prevent them from being knocked over.
About Homer Glen Waste Management
Homer Glen's Streamlined Waste Collection Framework
The Village of Homer Glen maintains a comprehensive solid waste contract with NuWay Disposal, a division of Homewood Disposal Service, to ensure clean and orderly neighborhoods. This partnership provides all residential properties with unified curbside collection, meaning standard household trash, recyclables, and yard waste are all serviced on the same scheduled day each week. Residents are equipped with heavy-duty wheeled carts, which helps mitigate wind-blown litter and prevents animal scavenging across Will County.
Strict Single-Stream Recycling Protocols
Every participating Homer Glen home utilizes a dark green 95-gallon cart specifically designated for single-stream recycling. To maximize the efficiency of local recovery facilities, the village requires all recyclables—such as aluminum cans, cardboard, and rigid plastics—to be placed loosely inside the cart. Plastic bags are heavily regulated and must never be placed in the recycling bin, as they can cause severe mechanical damage to Homewood Disposal's automated sorting lines.
Navigating Illinois Yard Waste Regulations
In compliance with Illinois state law banning organic material from landfills, Homer Glen offers dedicated seasonal yard waste pickup. Homeowners managing grass clippings or fallen leaves can use standard brown Kraft paper bags, or they may utilize personal 32-gallon containers, provided the container is clearly marked with a red 'Yard Waste Only' sticker available for free at Village Hall. Branches and brush must be tightly bundled and adhere to strict length and weight limits to be safely hoisted by the sanitation crews.
Bulk Items and Electronic Waste Solutions
Disposing of oversized household goods in Homer Glen is incredibly convenient, as the municipal contract includes the collection of one bulk item—such as a piece of furniture or a mattress—per week at no additional charge. For items like televisions and computers, which are banned from Illinois landfills, residents can bypass drop-off centers by directly scheduling a specialized curbside e-waste pickup through the Homewood Disposal website.
Drop-off Facilities
Lockport Public Works - Will County Electronic Drop-Off
17112 Prime Blvd (East of I-55), Lockport, IL 60441
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own garbage cans in Homer Glen?
Yes. While the village provides a 95-gallon light green cart for primary use, you may also place up to three of your own 35-gallon personal cans or heavy-duty garbage bags out each week. Just ensure each personal can or bag weighs no more than 50 pounds.
What are the rules for branch and brush collection?
Branches are collected as yard waste from April through November. They must be cut down to lengths of 3 to 4 feet, have a diameter of no more than 6 inches, and be tied into manageable bundles using natural twine or string. Each bundle must not exceed 50 pounds.
How do I throw away an old television or computer?
Because electronic waste is banned from Illinois landfills, you cannot put a TV in your trash cart. You have two options: you can schedule a free residential curbside e-waste pickup directly through the Homewood Disposal website, or you can drop it off at the Will County site located at the Lockport Public Works on Tuesday or Friday mornings.
Where should I store my garbage carts during the week?
Per Homer Glen municipal ordinance, all garbage, recycling, and yard waste containers must be stored out of sight on the side or rear of your home. They cannot be permanently stored in the front of the house or driveway.