Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lake in the Hills
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.
Default 95-gallon cart (35 and 65-gallon available) Bin (Trash)
Place carts and bags at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day. There is no limit on extra refuse, but personal cans or bags must not exceed 35 gallons in size or 50 pounds in weight.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste (if not composted)
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper packaging
Default 65-gallon cart (35 and 95-gallon available) Bin (Recycling)
Items must be placed loosely into the recycling cart. Do not bag recyclables in plastic grocery bags. Keep items reasonably clean and dry.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Active April through November. Use paper bags or rigid 35-gallon containers (under 50 lbs) marked with a free Village decal. Brush must be bundled, tied with compostable twine, not exceed 4 feet in length, and weigh less than 50 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and brush
- ✓Approved food scraps (during active season)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (One item per week for free)
Placement
Place the single bulk item at the curb on your normal collection day after notifying Flood Brothers.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Tables and chairs
- ✓ Sofas and bookcases
- ✓ Large furniture items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
- ✕ White goods/appliances (without special scheduling and fee)
- ✕ Construction debris exceeding limits
- ✕ Hazardous waste
While the first bulk item is free, appliances (white goods) and electronics require a separate scheduled pickup and will incur an additional fee. Call 630-261-0578 to get a quote.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday or a Sunday, and your regularly scheduled pickup is on or after the holiday, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. Friday customers will be serviced on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active collection season, yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the collection schedule is generally not affected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Dirt and Rocks Out of Yard Waste
While weeds and grass are perfect for the yard waste program, you must never include heavy inorganic materials like dirt, soil, concrete, or rocks. These items will cause your bags to exceed the 50-pound weight limit and they will be left at the curb.
Never Bag Your Recyclables
The most common recycling mistake is placing items into plastic garbage bags. These bags jam the gears at the processing facility. Always drop your paper, plastics, and metal loosely into your provided recycling cart.
Bundle Your Brush Correctly
If you have loose branches, they must be bundled tightly with biodegradable twine—never use wire or nylon rope. Branches must be under 3 inches in diameter, and the overall bundle cannot exceed 4 feet in length or 2 feet in diameter.
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilYard waste collection officially begins the first full week of April. It is the perfect time to visit the Lake in the Hills Village Hall or Public Works Facility to pick up your free yard waste decals for your rigid cans.
Summer/Fall
April - NovemberTake advantage of the voluntary food scrap composting program! From April 1 through November 30, you can mix approved kitchen food scraps directly into your yard waste bags or stickered cans to reduce landfill waste.
Winter
December - MarchDuring major winter storms, refuse collection may be delayed. Sign up for the Village's Nixle emergency text alerts (text 60156 to 888777) to receive immediate updates regarding snow-related garbage delays.
About Lake in the Hills Waste Management
Dependable Refuse Services in Lake in the Hills
The Village of Lake in the Hills maintains a clean and organized community through an exclusive contract with Flood Brothers Disposal. Every household is provided with a default 95-gallon refuse cart free of charge. What sets this program apart is the unlimited collection allowance: residents can place an unlimited number of extra garbage bags or personal 35-gallon cans out for collection each week at no extra charge, provided each container weighs under 50 pounds. All carts and bags must be at the curb by 6:00 AM on your designated service day.
Customizable Single-Stream Recycling
To support McHenry County's sustainability goals, Flood Brothers equips each home with a standard 65-gallon recycling cart. Because the system is single-stream, residents can conveniently mix all approved paper, cardboard, glass, and plastic containers into the same bin without sorting. If the default 65-gallon size doesn't fit your family's needs, you can easily contact Flood Brothers to request a smaller 35-gallon or a larger 95-gallon recycling cart at no additional charge.
Flexible Yard Waste and Food Scrap Composting
The landscape waste season in Lake in the Hills runs from the first full week of April through November 30th. The Village offers an incredibly flexible program: there is no limit to the number of yard waste bags or cans you can put out. If you use standard biodegradable kraft paper bags, no sticker is needed. If you prefer to use your own rigid 35-gallon cans, you simply need to apply a yard waste decal, which is provided completely free of charge at the Village Hall or Public Works Facility. Furthermore, residents can participate in a voluntary food scrap composting program by mixing approved food waste in with their yard trimmings during this season.
Free Weekly Bulk Item Collection
Getting rid of oversized household items like old mattresses, box springs, or pieces of furniture is hassle-free in Lake in the Hills. Flood Brothers allows the collection of one bulk item per week at no extra cost. However, residents are required to call Flood Brothers customer service in advance to notify them of the bulk item so the appropriate packer-type equipment can be dispatched to your route.
Drop-off Facilities
Lake in the Hills Village Hall
600 Harvest Gate, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Materials Accepted
Algonquin Township Road District (For LITH Residents in the Township)
3702 US Highway 14, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for yard waste stickers in Lake in the Hills?
No! Unlike many neighboring municipalities, Lake in the Hills does not require you to purchase yard waste stickers. You can use plain kraft paper bags, or you can attach a free 'Yard Waste Decal' (available at Village Hall) to your own 35-gallon rigid containers.
Is there a limit to how many garbage bags I can throw away?
There is no limit to the amount of standard household refuse you can place out for collection each week. You can use your provided 95-gallon cart, and any excess trash can be placed in standard 35-gallon bags or personal cans, provided no single extra bag or can weighs more than 50 pounds.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress?
Flood Brothers allows residents to dispose of one bulk item per week for free. You must call their customer service line at 630-261-0578 in advance to notify them that a bulk item will be at the curb on your collection day.
Can I change the size of my Flood Brothers garbage or recycling cart?
Yes. The standard issue is a 95-gallon refuse cart and a 65-gallon recycling cart. If these sizes do not suit your household, you can contact Flood Brothers to request a smaller 35-gallon cart, or a larger 95-gallon recycling cart.