Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for North Chicago
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood service zone.
Recycling
Collected on your scheduled service day.
Yard Waste
Collected on your regular service day from April 1 through December 15.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
City water and utility billing is managed by the North Chicago Comptroller's Payment Center, while residential curbside collection services are contracted through LRS.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, In-Person, Mail, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior Citizen Discount Application is available through the City Comptroller's Office.
LRS Issued Cart Bin (Trash)
Place all standard refuse in the LRS-provided cart. Carts must be placed at the curb on your designated collection day. Oversized items must not protrude from the bin and require a scheduled bulk pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small broken household items
LRS Issued Cart Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loosely in the cart, unless you are participating in the Hefty ReNew program, in which case flexible plastics must be sealed in the specific orange bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastics #1, #2, #5
- ✓Hefty ReNew Orange Bags (for flexible plastics)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Loose plastic grocery bags
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
Yard Waste Bin
Landscape waste must be placed in approved biodegradable Kraft paper bags or properly marked rigid containers. Do not use plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and brush
- ✓Garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One large item per week
Placement
You MUST call LRS customer service at 844-633-3577 in advance to schedule the bulk pickup before placing the item at the curb.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and sofas
- ✓ Chairs
- ✓ Tables
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be plastic wrapped)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Household Hazardous Waste
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Construction and demolition materials
Additional large items beyond the one-per-week limit, or excessively heavy materials, may require extra fees and specialized scheduling through LRS.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on or before your regularly scheduled pickup day, services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the holiday week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage and recycling during its active collection season.
Holidays falling on a weekend typically do not disrupt the standard Monday through Friday collection routes.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring to Fall
April - NovemberDuring the active growing season, landscape waste must be properly containerized. Ensure branches and brush are bundled with biodegradable twine and do not exceed standard weight limits for LRS collection.
Winter
December - FebruaryWhen it snows, keep your garbage and recycling bins on your driveway apron. Placing carts directly on the street creates hazards for snow plow drivers and risks your bins being knocked over or buried.
Winter
JanuaryGive your real Christmas tree a second life by bringing it to a Lake County Forest Preserve drop-off site, such as the Green Belt in North Chicago, open daily from 6:30 AM to sunset through the end of January.
Local Tips & Community Info
Automated Tuesday Garbage Collection with LRS
The City of North Chicago has partnered with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) to handle all residential garbage collection. For the majority of the city, household refuse is collected weekly on Tuesdays. To guarantee your waste is picked up, you must roll your designated carts to the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled service day. The collection trucks use automated arms, so it is strictly required to face the arrows on the cart lid toward the street, ensuring seamless and efficient dumping.
Bi-Weekly Recycling & Electronic Waste Drop-Off
Recycling helps divert usable materials from local landfills. North Chicago operates on a bi-weekly recycling schedule, which varies depending on whether your home is located on the North or South side of the city. Additionally, the State of Illinois enforces strict bans on disposing of electronics in standard trash. To accommodate this, the Public Works Department offers an Electronics Recycling drop-off location at the City Yard on 1421 Renken Drive. Residents can drop off old computers, televisions, and hardware Monday through Friday.
Handling Bulk Trash and Yard Debris
Getting rid of oversized items like broken couches or mattresses requires adherence to the bulk schedule, which generally coincides with your designated recycling week. A different, specialized truck routes through neighborhoods to collect these massive items. For seasonal yard clippings, residents must follow the Illinois state mandate that forbids landscape waste in traditional landfills. Branches must be tied in bundles no longer than four feet, and grass or leaves must be stored in approved biodegradable bags rather than standard plastic garbage bags.
Navigating Holiday and Severe Weather Delays
Collections are subject to change during severe Midwest winter weather or major national holidays. When holidays like Thanksgiving, Labor Day, or Memorial Day fall on a weekday, all pickup routes are pushed back by one day for the remainder of that week. If extreme snowstorms make roads unsafe for the heavy LRS trucks, operations may be suspended temporarily. The city typically sends out alerts regarding these delays, and crews will work the following day to recover any missed streets.
Who to Contact for Missed Pickups
If you adhered to the 7:00 a.m. deadline and properly spaced your bins but still experienced a missed pickup, prompt communication is key. Residents can contact the Public Works Department directly at 847-596-8870 to report an oversight. Oftentimes, crews have until the early evening to complete their routes, but notifying the city ensures that the sanitation dispatch is aware and can schedule a prompt recovery.
Drop-off Facilities
North Chicago City Yard
1421 Renken Avenue, North Chicago, IL 60064
Materials Accepted
SWALCO Household Chemical Waste Drop-off
1311 N. Estes Street, Gurnee, IL 60031
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time must my trash carts be placed on the curb?
All garbage and recycling carts, as well as any bulk items, must be placed at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day.
Where can I dispose of old televisions and electronics?
You can safely dispose of e-waste at the Public Works City Yard located at 1421 Renken Drive during regular business hours.
Does yard waste go into the normal garbage bin?
No. Illinois law prohibits yard waste in landfills. Brush must be bundled under four feet in length, and leaves or grass must go in approved yard waste bags.