Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lockport
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.
Green cart with Green Lid (provided by WM) Bin (Trash)
Carts and extra bags must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day. During periods of extreme summer heat, the city requests all garbage be out by 5:00 AM to ensure pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper
Green cart with Yellow Lid (provided by WM) Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected weekly. All recyclables must be loose inside the cart. The city strictly notes that cardboard boxes should be flattened and not stuffed with garbage or other boxes.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper and mail
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Food-soiled containers
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Active April 1st through the first week of December. Use biodegradable kraft bags (no sticker required) or rent a dedicated yard waste cart from the city for $2/month. Branches must be tied with string or twine.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Garden vegetation
- ✓Bundled branches (under 4 feet and 50 lbs)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly
Placement
Place bulk items or bundled construction debris next to your green trash cart on your normal collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and appliances
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Carpet (rolled, tied, under 4 ft and 50 lbs)
- ✓ Up to 1 cubic yard of DIY remodeling debris
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor-generated construction waste
- ✕ Tires and auto batteries
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Items exceeding 1 cubic yard
There is no additional fee for standard bulk items or the first cubic yard of DIY debris, as it is covered under the inclusive municipal contract.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday on or before your scheduled collection, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active collection season (April - December), yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as garbage and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, your standard weekday collection schedule will not be impacted.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Do Not Nest Cardboard Boxes
A common mistake is using a large cardboard box as a makeshift trash can for other boxes or garbage. Lockport Public Works explicitly requests that all cardboard be completely flattened before being placed in the recycling or trash totes.
Keep Heavy Auto Parts and Dirt Out
Waste Management will reject containers filled with extremely heavy materials like dirt, gravel, concrete, engine blocks, or tires. These items damage the truck compaction mechanisms and require specialized disposal.
Use 'At Your Door' for Paint and Oil
Never dump motor oil, antifreeze, or wet paint into your household garbage or recycling carts. Keep these chemicals out of the waste stream by scheduling a free 'At Your Door' special collection directly from your porch.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Fall
May & OctoberThe Public Works Department conducts a city-wide branch pickup starting the first Monday of May and the first Monday of October. Ensure branches are on the parkway with cut ends facing the street before the start date.
Summer
July - AugustDuring extreme heat advisories, Waste Management shifts its collection hours to protect workers. When a heat wave strikes, residents are advised to place all garbage and recycling carts at the curb by 5:00 AM.
Autumn
Late October - DecemberThe city provides a bulk curbside leaf vacuuming program. Rake leaves to the parkway (not into the street, to prevent storm drain flooding). Crews make multiple passes; keep leaf piles at least 5 feet away from mailboxes and hydrants.
About Lockport Waste Management
Comprehensive and Inclusive Refuse Services in Lockport
The City of Lockport, steeped in rich canal history, maintains clean neighborhoods through an inclusive waste contract with Waste Management (WM). Unlike many Illinois municipalities that operate on a strict volume-based sticker system, Lockport residents can set out additional personal cans or bags of standard household garbage alongside their provided WM carts at no extra charge, provided each extra container is under 32 gallons and weighs less than 50 pounds.
Convenient 'At Your Door' Hazardous Waste Collection
Properly disposing of chemicals and old electronics can be a hassle, but Lockport makes it incredibly easy. Residents benefit from the 'At Your Door Special Collection' program. By calling 800-449-7587, homeowners can schedule a direct home pickup for hard-to-dispose items like motor oil, latex and oil-based paints, pool chemicals, and consumer electronics, ensuring Will County's groundwater remains uncontaminated.
Navigating Branch Pickup and Curbside Leaf Programs
Lockport offers layered landscape waste solutions. While Waste Management collects standard yard waste in kraft bags weekly from April through early December, the City's Public Works Department steps in for heavy lifting. The city operates a specialized branch pickup twice a year (starting the first Monday in May and October) and a bulk curbside leaf vacuuming program running from late October through the first week of December to handle heavy seasonal debris.
Disposing of DIY Remodeling Debris and Bulk Items
Homeowners tackling weekend renovation projects will appreciate the city's construction debris allowances. Waste Management will collect up to one cubic yard of DIY remodeling debris per week on your regular garbage day. Smaller debris like tile or drywall must be placed in rigid containers, while lumber must be tied into manageable bundles no longer than four feet and under 50 pounds.
Drop-off Facilities
Lockport Public Works & Engineering (E-Waste Drop-off)
17112 S. Prime Boulevard, Lockport, IL 60441
Materials Accepted
Naperville Household Hazardous Waste Facility
156 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville, IL 60540
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy stickers for my yard waste bags in Lockport?
No, prepaid stickers are no longer required. You can place out standard brown kraft paper bags of yard waste for free, or you can rent a dedicated yard waste cart from the city for $2 per month.
What should I do with extra garbage that won't fit in my Waste Management cart?
Lockport has an inclusive waste contract. You can place additional garbage in personal containers or standard garbage bags next to your cart at no extra charge, provided they do not exceed 32 gallons or 50 pounds each.
Does the City of Lockport pick up branches and brush?
Yes. Waste Management collects bundled brush weekly during the yard waste season. Additionally, the City Public Works offers a specialized branch pickup twice a year, starting the first Monday of May and the first Monday of October.
Can I throw away drywall or lumber from a home renovation project?
Yes, but with strict limits. Waste Management will collect up to 1 cubic yard of 'Do-It-Yourself' construction and demolition debris per week. Wood must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet, and smaller debris must be placed in a rigid container.