Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Normal
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.
Town-Issued Automated Garbage Cart Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must fit securely inside the Town-issued cart with the lid closed. Carts must be spaced at least 3 feet apart from each other and other obstructions like mailboxes or cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Non-recyclable plastic packaging
- ✓Food-contaminated wrappers
- ✓Small non-hazardous household items
Town-Issued Automated Recycling Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be loose inside the official Town cart—never bag recyclables in plastic. Carts need a 3-foot clearance from objects for the automated truck arms.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Mixed paper, magazines, and mail
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
- ✓Rigid plastic containers and bottles
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags or film
- ✕Styrofoam and EPS foam packaging
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Tanglers such as hoses or cords
Yard Waste Bin
Landscape waste must be placed out properly according to seasonal guidelines (open bags or carts during non-fall periods, or raked near the curb during official autumn leaf collection windows). Woody sticks and tree limbs must not be mixed here and belong in the separate brush pile.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and garden plants
- ✓Weeds, flowers, and pine needles
- ✓Non-woody plant trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular garbage collection day
Placement
Place bulky items curbside by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day, keeping them clear of automated carts and utility poles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, mattresses)
- ✓ Framed glass
- ✓ Large household non-appliance items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Appliances containing Freon (e.g., mini-fridges, dehumidifiers)
- ✕ Electronics (must go to the e-waste facility)
Standard bulky waste pickup is integrated into municipal services, but specialized industrial or oversized cleanouts may require direct coordination with Public Works.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Household garbage and recycling in Town-issued carts are collected on all holidays except Christmas Day. When Christmas falls on a weekday, that day's garbage and recycling collection shifts to the next regular business day.
Yard Waste Exception
Bulky waste, brush, and landscape waste services are not operated on holidays when Town offices are closed. These services are generally delayed and picked up the following week on your regular garbage collection day.
Always check Town news flashes or notifications around major holidays, as secondary waste streams like brush and bulk items frequently experience schedule shifts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Unframed vs. Framed Glass Rules
Unframed glass items should be carefully broken into small pieces, placed inside a hard plastic container, and put straight into your household garbage cart. Conversely, framed glass items must be set out exclusively for bulky waste collection.
Keep Batteries Out of Regular Carts
Alkaline and rechargeable batteries present serious fire hazards in trucks and sorting facilities. Drop off alkaline batteries at designated local spots like Normal Public Works on Warriner Drive or participating retail locations.
Strictly Separate Sticks from Landscape Waste
Do not bundle tree branches or heavy sticks with your standard landscape waste bags. Sticks are categorized as brush and require a separate loose pile at the curb so they can be processed correctly by Public Works crews.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayAs winter clears, yard maintenance ramps up. Residents can resume standard landscape waste and separate loose brush piles for collection. Public Works also provides enhanced electronic drop-off accommodations as spring cleaning projects get underway.
Autumn
October - DecemberDuring the peak autumn leaf drop, the Town shifts to specialized leaf collection protocols. Residents may rake loose leaves directly near the curb during designated seasonal windows, keeping them separate from general yard waste bags and street gutters.
Winter
December - JanuaryHousehold garbage and recycling collections operate as normal through winter, pausing only for Christmas Day. Residents must ensure snow accumulation does not block cart placement and that carts maintain the required 3-foot separation for truck automation.
About Normal Waste Management
Town-Operated Automated Waste Collection
The Town of Normal manages its own residential refuse and recycling operations through the Engineering and Public Works department, rather than relying on private franchise haulers. Residents must utilize official Town-issued automated wheeled carts for both household garbage and recycling. To ensure seamless mechanical collection via truck arms, carts must be positioned curbside no later than 6:00 AM on your collection day and pulled back within 12 hours after service.
Specialized Self-Service Electronics Recycling Facility
Because Illinois state regulations strictly prohibit electronic devices from landfill disposal, the Town of Normal operates a dedicated self-service Electronics Recycling Facility located at the Public Works property on Warriner Drive. McLean County residents can drop off items like computers, monitors, keyboards, and televisions during weekday operational hours or on the first Saturday morning of each month.
Distinct Streams for Brush and Landscape Waste
Normal enforces a highly structured organic material management system that separates standard landscape waste from woody brush. While general garden plants, weeds, and leaves go into landscape waste programs, sticks and tree branches must be piled separately loose at the curb for dedicated brush collection. This segregation allows the Town to efficiently process organic biomass and transfer plant materials directly to local composting streams.
Holiday Garbage Consistency with Selective Service Pauses
Unlike many municipalities that suspend all waste activities during federal holidays, the Town of Normal maintains household garbage and recycling collections on almost all holidays—with the sole exception of Christmas Day. However, auxiliary services such as bulky waste, brush, and landscape waste pickups are suspended on standard Town-observed holidays and generally rescheduled for the following week.
Drop-off Facilities
Town of Normal Public Works Electronics Recycling Facility
1301 Warriner Dr, Normal, IL 61761
Materials Accepted
Normal Public Works Battery Drop-off
1301 Warriner Dr, Normal, IL 61761
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my trash or recycling cart was missed?
If your materials are not collected by 3:00 PM on your scheduled day, inspect your cart or front door for an orange notice or door hanger. Otherwise, contact the Public Works Department after 2:00 PM at 309-454-9571.
Where can I recycle old electronics in Normal?
McLean County residents can utilize the self-service Electronics Recycling Facility at Town Public Works (1301 Warriner Dr.) during weekday operating hours or on the first Saturday morning of each month. Items do not need to be functional, but units containing Freon are not accepted.
How do I properly dispose of small household batteries?
Alkaline batteries cannot go into regular household trash or standard curbside recycling bins. You can drop off alkaline batteries locally at the Normal Public Works building on Warriner Drive or select retail locations like Office Depot on East College Avenue.
Are garbage and recycling collected on holidays in Normal?
Yes, household garbage and recycling inside Town carts are collected on all federal and municipal holidays, with the sole exception of Christmas Day. However, auxiliary services like brush and bulky waste collection are suspended on holidays when Town offices are closed.