Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Niles
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, 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
!Contamination Tips
Keep Dirt and Sod Out of Yard Waste
When cleaning up your garden, remember that earth, dirt, rocks, sod, and wood chips are strictly prohibited from the yard waste program. Stick to organic, compostable plant matter like grass, leaves, and weeds.
Never Bag Your Recyclables
The fastest way to contaminate a recycling load is by putting your paper, glass, and plastic inside a plastic garbage bag. These bags tangle Groot's sorting equipment. Always toss items directly into your recycling cart.
Prepare Your Carpet Rolls Properly
If you are disposing of old carpeting as bulk waste, it must be properly prepared. Cut and roll the carpet into sections no longer than 4 feet in length and 2 feet in diameter, and tape them securely. Only two rolls are accepted per week for free.
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.
About Niles Waste Management
Reliable Residential Refuse Services with Groot in Niles
The Village of Niles partners with Groot Recycling & Waste Services to manage trash and recycling for all single-family homes and multi-family buildings up to four units. To streamline service, the village is divided into two primary collection zones serviced on Thursdays and Fridays. While Groot provides standard 95-gallon refuse carts for most households, seniors aged 62 and older can apply for a senior discount to downsize to a 35-gallon cart at a reduced quarterly rate.
Flexible Bulk and Free White Good Disposal
Unlike many municipalities that strictly limit bulk waste, Niles residents benefit from unlimited curbside collection of standard bulk items under 50 pounds, such as chairs and mattresses. While unlimited, Groot requests residents place out only one bulk item per week to assist collection crews. Notably, large appliances and 'white goods' (like refrigerators and washers) are collected completely free of charge on Tuesdays, provided you call Groot in advance to schedule the special route.
Weekly DIY Construction Debris Collection
Niles offers an exceptional perk for homeowners undertaking small renovations. Each week, up to one cubic yard of miscellaneous construction debris is collected alongside regular trash at no extra charge. Materials like lumber or pipes must be bundled tightly (under 4 feet long and 2 feet in diameter). Heavy materials such as dirt, stone, and concrete must be placed in rigid containers and weigh no more than 45 pounds per container.
Managing Seasonal Yard Waste and Brush
The landscape waste collection season runs from April 1st through mid-December on your regular Thursday or Friday service day. Residents can use 30-gallon biodegradable kraft bags or personal 32-gallon rigid cans, but each container must display a prepaid $2.00 landscape waste sticker. Interestingly, securely tied bundles of brush and branches do not require a sticker, provided they adhere to the village's size restrictions.
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
Is there a senior discount for garbage collection in Niles?
Yes, residents aged 62 and older can apply for a Senior Hardship Rate. To qualify, you must be in a single-family home and switch to a smaller 35-gallon refuse cart instead of the standard 65 or 95-gallon cart.
Do I need a yard waste sticker for tree branches?
No. While grass clippings and leaves require a $2.00 sticker per bag or can, tree limbs and brush that are cut to no more than 4 feet in length and properly bundled (no wider than 2 feet in diameter) are collected without a sticker.
Can I throw out drywall or concrete with my regular trash in Niles?
Yes, up to one cubic yard of DIY construction debris is collected for free each week. Material must be neatly bundled (under 4 feet long) or placed in containers under 45 pounds. Dirt, concrete, and stone must be in containers.
How much does it cost to get rid of a refrigerator or washing machine?
In Niles, 'white goods' like refrigerators, ovens, and washers are collected free of charge. However, a specialized truck collects these items on Tuesdays, so you must call Groot at 800-244-1977 in advance to schedule the pickup.