Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Moline
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.
Typically Green or Grey (Moline Public Works Issued) Bin (Trash)
Place your 48- or 96-gallon cart at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on collection day. The lid must be completely closed. Keep 3 feet of clearance around the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste and non-recyclable wrappers
- ✓Alkaline batteries
- ✓Small broken household items
Green with White or Maroon Lid Bin (Recycling)
Single-stream recycling is collected every other week based on your lid color. Break down cardboard to save space and leave labels on rinsed containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7 (water bottles, milk jugs)
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and bi-metal cans
- ✓Clear and colored glass bottles and jars
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and office paper
- ✓Juice boxes and aseptic cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Food-contaminated paper or foil
- ✕Sharp metal lids
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Medical sharps
- ✕Electronic waste
Yard Waste Bin
Use 30-gallon biodegradable paper bags with a $2.00 sticker (unless during a sticker-free week), or lease an annual yard waste cart for a $78.96 setup and $100 annual fee.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Garden debris
- ✓Bundled brush and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Once Annually (Free) / By Request (Paid)
Placement
Place items in a neatly stacked pile at your regular garbage pickup location by 6:30 a.m. on the scheduled morning. Leave at least 3 feet of clearance from your carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Carpet (cut into 3-foot wide sections, rolled and tied)
- ✓ Small toys and dishes (must be boxed or bagged)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and computers (use Davenport E-waste site)
- ✕ Bricks, concrete, and construction materials
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Appliances and tires (use the separate 1-877-934-5378 hotline)
The first 2.5 cubic yards are free once a year. Extra volume requires a $40 prepayment at the Finance Office or by phone at (309) 524-2070.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an official city holiday falls on a weekday, garbage and recycling collections are typically delayed by one day for the remainder of that week, pushing Friday collections to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active yard waste season, leaf and brush collection strictly follows the same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage pickup.
Always refer to the official City of Moline Collection Calendar for the exact date shifts, as weekend holidays may not impact the weekly routes.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Medical Sharps Need Special Containers
Never throw medical needles or sharps into your garbage or recycling cart. Moline residents can obtain free rigid red sharps containers from the Scott Area Recycling Center in Davenport, ensuring sanitation workers are not accidentally stuck during collection.
No Dirt or Concrete in Refuse Carts
Heavy landscaping materials, including dirt, sod, rocks, bricks, and concrete, are strictly prohibited in both your standard garbage cart and yard waste bags. These heavy items can crack the carts and damage the hydraulic arms on the collection trucks.
Keep Sharp Lids Out of Recycling
While steel and aluminum cans are highly encouraged in your single-stream recycling, detached, sharp metal lids from tin cans pose a severe cutting hazard to sorting facility workers. These sharp lids should be safely placed in your regular garbage.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Fall
March - April & October - DecemberThe City of Moline offers 'sticker-free' yard waste collection for two weeks in the spring (March 30 - April 10) and for two months in the fall (October 12 - December 11). No $2 stickers are needed on your bags during these windows.
Winter
JanuaryThe City typically operates a post-holiday Christmas Tree Collection program. Real trees must be stripped of all lights, ornaments, and stands, and placed unbagged at the normal collection point.
Summer/Fall
April - NovemberFor very large yard cleanups, Moline residents can take a pickup truck size load of yard waste or refuse directly to the Upper Rock Island County Landfill in East Moline for a deeply discounted rate of $25-$29. Proof of residency is required.
About Moline Waste Management
Moline's Municipal Garbage and Bi-Weekly Recycling
The City of Moline Public Works Department manages residential waste directly, rather than relying on a private franchise. Residents are provided with 96-gallon or 48-gallon refuse carts, with a standard $14.48 monthly fee applied directly to the utility bill. Single-stream recycling is collected every other week on your standard garbage day for an additional $3.69 per month. To easily identify your designated recycling week, simply check the color of your recycling cart's lid, which will be either 'white' or 'maroon,' and match it to the city's annual collection calendar.
The Annual Free Bulky Item Pickup
Moline offers an exceptional benefit to its residents: one completely free bulky item pickup per calendar year. This free collection allows homeowners to dispose of up to 2.5 cubic yards or 100 pounds of large household junk, such as mattresses or rolled carpet. To utilize this perk, you must request a 'Special Pick Up' online or call (309) 524-2400. If you exceed your annual free limit, additional bulk pickups can be scheduled for a $40 prepayment per 2.5 cubic yards.
Free Curbside Pickup for Appliances and Tires
Unlike standard bulky waste (furniture and carpet), Moline has a completely separate, free curbside collection system for 'White Goods' and used passenger tires. Residents can easily dispose of refrigerators, washing machines, stoves, and air conditioners without paying heavy environmental fees. Additionally, households can dispose of up to 10 used passenger tires per year for free. To arrange for these specific items, residents must call the dedicated scheduling line at 1-877-934-5378.
Strategic Yard Waste Sticker-Free Windows
Moline's seasonal yard waste program operates from late March through mid-December. Generally, residents must attach a $2.00 city yard waste sticker to every 30-gallon biodegradable kraft paper bag placed at the curb. However, the City strategically offers 'sticker-free' weeks during the peak spring clean-up period (late March to early April) and the heavy fall foliage season (mid-October through December). During these generous windows, you can place out unlimited bags of leaves and grass without purchasing stickers.
Cross-River Hazardous Waste & E-Waste Solutions
Because Moline is deeply integrated into the Quad Cities region, Rock Island County residents benefit from cross-river partnerships with the Waste Commission of Scott County. Moline residents can safely drop off household hazardous waste (like paint, pesticides, and motor oil), medical sharps, and electronic waste (like televisions and computers) entirely free of charge at the Scott Area Recycling Center in Davenport, Iowa. No appointments are required, making safe disposal highly accessible.
Drop-off Facilities
Scott Area Recycling Center (E-Waste & HHW)
5640 Carey Avenue, Davenport, IA 52807
Materials Accepted
Upper Rock Island County Landfill
17201 20th Avenue North, East Moline, IL 61244
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator or stove in Moline?
Large appliances (White Goods) such as refrigerators, stoves, washers, and air conditioners are collected for FREE at the curbside, but you must schedule them separately from standard bulky waste. Call 1-877-934-5378 to set up an appliance pickup.
Does Moline charge for bulky item pickup?
Each residence in Moline is eligible for one free bulky item pickup per calendar year, up to 2.5 cubic yards or 100 pounds. Any additional bulky waste pickups throughout the year require a prepayment of $40 for every extra 2.5 cubic yards.
How does the Moline yard waste sticker program work?
For most of the season, you must attach a $2.00 sticker to every 30-gallon yard waste bag. However, the City offers two 'sticker-free' windows: one in the early spring (late March to early April) and a longer one in the late fall (mid-October through mid-December) for leaf collection.
Where can I recycle an old TV if I live in Moline?
Televisions cannot be placed in the garbage or used for your bulky item pickup. However, Rock Island County residents can drop off electronics, including TVs and computers, completely free of charge at the Waste Commission of Scott County's Electronics Recovery Center located at 5650 Carey Avenue in Davenport, Iowa.