Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Niles
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week on Thursday or Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected once per week on the same day as trash (Thursday or Friday).
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected weekly on your regular pickup day from April 1 through November 30 (requires a yard waste sticker).
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (or after 5:00 PM the evening before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste and recycling services are contracted through Groot and billed directly to single-family homeowners on a quarterly cycle.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Phone, Auto-Pay
Pro Tip / Discount
A Senior Hardship Rate is available for qualifying residents ages 62 and older living in single-family homes using a 35-gallon cart.
Green, Blue, or Black (Varies by 95, 65, or 35-gallon Groot Cart) Bin (Trash)
Carts and any properly prepared additional household waste must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your designated collection day (Thursday or Friday).
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper
Blue or Green with specialized lid (Provided by Groot) Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected on a single-stream basis. All recyclables must be placed loose in the cart. Do not bag recyclables. Additional recycling carts require enrolling in an expanded program.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Mixed paper and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Household chemical waste
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Active April 1st through mid-December. Must use 30-gallon biodegradable bags or 32-gallon rigid containers (max 50 lbs). Each bag/can requires a $2.00 sticker. Bundled brush (max 4ft long, 2ft diameter) does not need a sticker.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Garden plants and weeds
- ✓Twigs and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly
Placement
Place bulk items out within 24 hours of your regular Thursday or Friday collection day. You must call Groot in advance for white goods collection (Tuesdays).
Accepted
- ✓ Couches, dressers, and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Lawn mowers and bicycles
- ✓ White goods (refrigerators, ovens, washers)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Hazardous chemical waste
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Items requiring more than one person to lift (without scheduling and a fee)
Standard bulk under 50 lbs is free. White goods are free but must be scheduled. Extra-heavy items that require two or more people to safely lift (pianos, hot tubs, large sleeper sofas) incur an additional fee and require an advance call to Groot.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collections are delayed by one day after a holiday. Thursday pickups move to Friday, and Friday pickups move to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Seasonal yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular garbage and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a Sunday, there will be no collection on Monday and services are delayed one day for the week. If a holiday falls on a Saturday, there is no change to your regular pickup day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilYard waste season kicks off on April 1st. You can purchase the required $2.00 landscape waste stickers at the Village of Niles Hall, the Senior Center, or local Jewel-Osco stores on Touhy, Dempster, and Milwaukee Avenues.
Winter (Post-Holidays)
JanuaryGroot provides free collection of Christmas trees during the first two weeks of January on your regular collection day. Trees over 6 feet tall must be cut in half, and all tinsel and plastic bags must be removed.
Winter
November - FebruaryDon't throw away old holiday lights in the regular trash or recycling! The Village hosts a free Holiday Light Recycling program in partnership with Elgin Recycling at the Niles Fitness Center and Public Services building.
Local Tips & Community Info
Village Refuse and Recycling Program Overview
To maintain a clean and vibrant community, the Village of Niles contracts with Groot Industries to provide all residential solid waste removal services. This encompasses standard garbage, curbside recycling, and seasonal landscape debris collection for single-family homes and most multi-family buildings with three or fewer units. By utilizing a uniform cart system, the village minimizes neighborhood pests and streamlines the automated lifting process, keeping municipal streets clear and sanitary.
Timing and Cart Placement Protocols
Preparation is key for a successful collection day. Residents must ensure that their Groot-issued receptacles are placed at the curb or alleyway no later than 6:00 a.m. on their designated pickup day. Carts should be positioned so the handles face the home, leaving at least three feet of clearance between the garbage cart, the recycling bin, and any obstacles like parked vehicles, mailboxes, or utility poles. Empty containers must be retrieved and stored out of public view by the evening of your collection day.
Managing Landscape Waste and Brush
From early April through mid-December, Niles offers a dedicated landscape waste collection program. Grass clippings, leaves, and twigs cannot be thrown in the regular garbage. Instead, residents must place organic debris in 30-gallon biodegradable kraft paper bags or standard metal/plastic cans (up to 33 gallons) clearly marked with a 'Yard Waste Only' decal. Each bag or can requires a prepaid yard waste sticker affixed to it. Alternatively, Groot offers a seasonal subscription service for a specialized yard waste cart, eliminating the need for individual stickers.
Large Furniture and Bulk Item Disposal
Moving or redecorating often generates waste that won't fit inside a standard tote. Under the current village contract, Groot permits the disposal of one large bulk item per week at no extra charge, provided it weighs less than 50 pounds and can be safely lifted by a single driver. This includes items like mattresses, small couches, or dressers. For extremely heavy objects, oversized furniture, or construction debris, residents must contact Groot customer service at 800-244-1977 to arrange a custom pickup and pay any associated fees.
Electronics and Public Works Drop-Off
Illinois environmental regulations strictly ban electronic waste from traditional landfills. You cannot leave televisions, computers, printers, or DVD players at the curb for standard garbage pickup. Fortunately, the Village of Niles Public Works Department operates a specialized electronics recycling drop-off facility located at 6849 Touhy Avenue. This site is available to verified residents, offering a secure and eco-friendly way to dispose of old tech hardware and prevent harmful heavy metals from contaminating local soils.
Drop-off Facilities
Niles Police Department Prescription Drug Drop Box
7000 W Touhy Avenue, Niles, IL 60714
Materials Accepted
Niles Senior Center (Scheduled Events Only)
999 Civic Center Dr, Niles, IL 60714
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to put my garbage out in Niles?
All refuse, recycling, and yard waste containers must be placed at the curb or in the alley by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day.
How do I get rid of an old television in the village?
Televisions cannot go in the trash. Residents can drop off e-waste at the Niles Public Works facility located at 6849 Touhy Avenue.
Does Niles pick up yard waste year-round?
No, the landscape waste program is seasonal, running from early April through mid-December. During these months, you must use yard waste stickers or subscribe to the cart program.