Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for McHenry
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Say No to Plastic Bags
The quickest way to ruin a batch of good recycling is by placing it in a plastic garbage or grocery bag. Keep all your paper, plastics, and glass completely loose in your recycling cart to prevent tangling the sorting machinery.
Prep Your Appliances
If you are scheduling a white goods pickup for a refrigerator or freezer, you must completely empty it and remove the doors beforehand. This ensures child safety while the item awaits collection at the curb.
Keep Dirt Out of the Brush
When preparing yard waste, never include sod, dirt, concrete, or rocks. These items damage the collection trucks and composting equipment. Stick strictly to organic plant materials like grass, leaves, and twigs.
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.
About McHenry Waste Management
Dependable Residential Waste Services in McHenry
Nestled along the Fox River, the City of McHenry partners with Flood Brothers Disposal to maintain clean and vibrant neighborhoods. The city provides comprehensive weekly collection services for refuse, recycling, and seasonal yard waste. Residents are assigned specific collection days, and all materials—from your 95-gallon trash cart to properly bundled yard brush—must be placed at the curb by 7:00 AM to guarantee pickup. Flood Brothers offers flexible cart sizes and a sticker program to accommodate the diverse volume needs of McHenry households.
McHenry's Unlimited Co-Mingled Recycling Program
McHenry encourages robust environmental stewardship by offering unlimited, single-stream recycling through Flood Brothers. Residents can conveniently place all accepted materials—including glass jars, aluminum cans, plastic containers, and mixed paper—into one designated recycling cart without the hassle of sorting. However, it is vital to keep recyclables loose; bagging items in plastic severely disrupts the sorting facilities. If your household consistently generates excess recyclables, you can rent additional carts directly from the hauler.
Handling Heavy Bulk Items and Electronics
Disposing of large items in McHenry is remarkably straightforward. Flood Brothers allows one standard bulk item, such as a mattress or piece of furniture weighing under 50 pounds, to be placed curbside each week at no extra charge. Heavier items or white goods (like refrigerators and washing machines) require a scheduled pickup and an additional fee. Since Illinois law bans electronics from landfills, residents cannot put TVs or computers in the regular trash. Instead, you can schedule a special e-waste collection with Flood Brothers for an extra fee or utilize local drop-off events.
Managing Yard Waste and Autumn Leaves
Seasonal yard maintenance is a staple of McHenry living. The city's yard waste program typically runs from April through November, allowing residents to dispose of grass clippings and leaves in kraft paper bags affixed with a prepaid sticker, or by renting a dedicated organics cart. Branches must be tied in bundles no heavier than 50 pounds and no longer than five feet. Additionally, McHenry provides a specialized curbside leaf vacuuming service in the fall to help manage the heavy foliage drop before winter arrives.
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
Can I use my own trash cans instead of the provided Flood Brothers carts in McHenry?
Yes, you can use your own personal trash cans, but they must not exceed 33 gallons in capacity or weigh more than 50 pounds. Additionally, unless you subscribe to the unlimited 95-gallon cart service, each extra personal can or bag requires a prepaid refuse sticker.
How do I dispose of a broken television or computer?
Electronic waste is banned from Illinois landfills and cannot be placed out with your regular bulk trash. You must contact Flood Brothers customer service at 630-261-0400 to schedule a dedicated e-waste collection, which will incur an extra fee.
Does McHenry require stickers for yard waste?
Yes, unless you subscribe to the organic yard waste cart rental program. If you use standard kraft paper bags or your own 33-gallon cans for leaves and grass, you must purchase and attach a prepaid yard waste sticker to each one.
What is considered 'DIY' construction waste, and will they pick it up for free?
Flood Brothers will collect up to one cubic yard of small 'Do-It-Yourself' project waste for free each week. This includes small amounts of drywall, lumber, or cabinets. However, the debris must be containerized or bundled, weigh under 50 lbs, and be under 4 feet in length.