Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for McHenry
Trash Day
Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone (refuse, recycling, and yard waste are collected on the same day)
Recycling
Weekly on the same day as refuse collection
Yard Waste
Weekly on your regular pickup day from the first full week of April through mid-December
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste and recycling services are contracted through Flood Brothers Disposal and billed directly to homeowners quarterly, unless utilizing the per-bag refuse sticker option.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior rate options are available for smaller container sizes; contact Flood Brothers or City Hall for eligibility details.
95, 65, or 35-gallon Cart (Varies by subscription) Bin (Trash)
Place at the curb by 7:00 AM on collection day, but not before 6:00 PM the evening prior. Personal cans must not exceed 33 gallons or 50 lbs. Additional bags beyond your cart's capacity require a prepaid refuse sticker.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper
65-gallon Cart (Default) Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is unlimited and co-mingled. Items must be placed loosely in the cart; never bag recyclables. Additional recycling carts can be rented for a small monthly fee.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Mixed paper and mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or wrap
- ✕Styrofoam (Polystyrene)
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Use a dedicated organics cart or kraft paper bags with a prepaid yard waste sticker. Brush bundles must be tied with twine or rope. Rocks, dirt, and branches larger than 3 inches in diameter are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and weeds
- ✓Bundled brush (under 5 ft long and 50 lbs)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly
Placement
Place the single eligible item next to your trash cart by 7:00 AM on your normal collection day. It must be manageable enough for one person to safely lift.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Small tables and chairs
- ✓ Bookcases
- ✓ Rolls of carpeting (up to 4 rolls, max 5 ft long and 50 lbs each)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Items over 50 lbs (without scheduling)
- ✕ Items longer than 5 feet
- ✕ White goods (appliances)
- ✕ Electronics
- ✕ Large construction debris
Additional standard bulk items cost $7.00 per item. White goods (appliances) cost $28.00 per item. Items weighing over 50 lbs require a special collection and incur a $9.20 fee. Residents must call Flood Brothers in advance to schedule paid pickups.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on a weekday or 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.
Yard Waste Exception
Seasonal yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard refuse collection.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday, there is no change to your regular pickup schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilYard waste collection resumes the first full week of April. It is also the perfect time to clear out small 'Do-It-Yourself' home project debris; up to one cubic yard of DIY construction waste (under 50 lbs) is collected weekly for free.
Autumn
October - NovemberDuring heavy leaf fall, the city coordinates a curbside leaf vacuuming program. Rake leaves into a pile within 4 feet of the roadway, ensuring no brush or rocks are mixed in, as these can severely damage the vacuum equipment.
Winter
December - MarchYard waste services are paused during the winter months. During heavy snowfalls, ensure your carts are placed at the end of your driveway, not in the street, so they don't block the city snow plows.
Local Tips & Community Info
Sanitation Services for McHenry Residents
Keeping our community beautiful requires a reliable approach to waste management. The City of McHenry partners with Prairieland Disposal, an LRS company, to handle the pickup of household garbage, recyclables, and yard debris. This comprehensive franchise agreement ensures that every residential neighborhood receives consistent, top-tier service. Whether you are dealing with everyday kitchen refuse or clearing out your garage, understanding the local pickup guidelines will help you avoid missed collections and keep your property compliant with municipal codes.
Curbside Placement and Timing Guidelines
To guarantee your refuse and recycling are collected without a hitch, all carts must be placed at the edge of your driveway no later than 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day. Drivers begin their routes early, and placing containers out the night before is generally recommended. Make sure the arrows on the lids point toward the street and that there is a minimum three-foot clearance between your bins and any other objects, such as mailboxes, fire hydrants, or parked cars. Once emptied, containers should be pulled back to your home by the end of the day.
Navigating Bulk Debris and Appliances
Disposing of larger items like old mattresses, couches, or dining tables is built into the city's residential plan. You are allowed to place one standard bulk item at the curb each week alongside your regular trash cart at no additional charge, provided it can be safely handled by a single worker. However, large household appliances, colloquially known as white goods (refrigerators, washers, stoves), require a special scheduled pickup. Residents must contact Prairieland customer support beforehand to arrange for appliance removal and pay any necessary environmental processing fees.
Managing Autumn Leaves and Yard Trimmings
McHenry's landscape waste program operates from the beginning of April through the end of November. During these months, you cannot mix grass, twigs, or leaves with your standard household garbage. All organic yard materials must be packed into 30-gallon biodegradable kraft paper bags or placed in a dedicated, clearly marked yard waste container. If you have cut tree branches, they must be securely tied into bundles using biodegradable twine. Bundles cannot exceed four feet in length or weigh more than 50 pounds.
Strict Rules for E-Waste Disposal
Under Illinois state law, electronic waste is strictly banned from municipal landfills due to toxic components like lead and mercury. Consequently, your waste hauler will not pick up old televisions, computer monitors, keyboards, or printers left on the curb. McHenry residents are encouraged to utilize specialized e-waste recycling drop-off events hosted periodically throughout McHenry County, or contact their waste provider directly for authorized electronic recycling alternatives that protect the local environment.
Drop-off Facilities
Environmental Defenders of McHenry County Drop-off
110 S Johnson St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Materials Accepted
Algonquin Township Road District (For McHenry Co Residents)
3702 US-14, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should my trash carts be at the curb in McHenry?
All garbage, recycling, and yard waste bins must be out by 7:00 a.m. on your designated collection morning to ensure pickup.
Can I put a couch out for the regular garbage collection?
Yes, McHenry allows residents to place one bulk item, such as a couch or mattress, at the curb per week at no extra cost, as long as one person can lift it.
Does the city pick up yard waste in the winter?
No. The municipal landscape waste collection program runs seasonally, starting in April and wrapping up at the end of November.