Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for North Chicago
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Bag Your Flexible Plastics, But Nothing Else
While standard recyclables like cardboard and glass must be placed loosely in your bin, North Chicago participates in the Hefty ReNew program. If you are recycling flexible films like grocery bags or foam cups, they MUST be sealed tightly in a Hefty Orange Bag before going into the recycling cart.
Keep E-Waste Out of Carts
Do not hide old laptops, televisions, phones, or charging cables in your LRS refuse or recycling bins. State law prohibits e-waste in landfills. Take them to the North Chicago City Yard on Renken Avenue during designated E-Cycling hours.
Seal Your Mattresses
If you are throwing out an old mattress or box spring for your weekly bulk pickup, it will be rejected by the LRS driver unless it is completely wrapped and sealed in plastic to protect workers from bedbugs and biohazards.
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.
About North Chicago Waste Management
LRS Residential Waste Collection
The City of North Chicago contracts with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) to manage weekly residential garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection. All standard household refuse is handled directly by LRS, providing a streamlined and efficient service for the community. Residents should contact LRS customer service directly to confirm their exact designated neighborhood collection day and request additional cart services.
Innovative Hefty ReNew Plastics Program
In a progressive environmental move, North Chicago partners with SWALCO and LRS to offer the Hefty® ReNew™ program. This initiative allows residents to easily collect hard-to-recycle flexible plastics—such as foam egg cartons, plastic pet food bags, chip bags, and bubble wrap—using special Hefty Orange Bags. Once filled and tied tightly, these orange bags can be tossed directly into your standard curbside recycling bin, ensuring difficult materials bypass the landfill and are repurposed into construction materials.
Local Electronics Recycling Drop-off
Because electronic waste is strictly prohibited in Illinois landfills, it cannot be thrown in your curbside LRS trash tote. However, North Chicago makes proper disposal incredibly simple. The local City Yard, located at 1421 Renken Avenue, offers a dedicated Electronics Recycling drop-off for residents. The facility is open specifically for E-Cycling on Mondays from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM and Fridays from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM.
Convenient Bulk Item Pickups
Decluttering your home is convenient thanks to the city's waste agreement. North Chicago's contract with LRS allows residents to throw away up to one large bulk item each week per household at no extra charge. To guarantee pickup, you must call LRS customer service ahead of your collection day to schedule it. Keep in mind that for sanitary and safety reasons, mattresses and box springs must be completely sealed in plastic before being placed at the curb.
SWALCO Regional Partnership
As an active member of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) since 1991, North Chicago residents have extensive access to regional recycling resources. Throughout the year, SWALCO coordinates mobile collection events for household chemical waste, clothing and textiles, and seasonal holiday light recycling, providing residents with abundant opportunities to divert hazardous and tricky materials away from local landfills.
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
How do I throw away a mattress in North Chicago?
You can dispose of a mattress as your one free weekly bulk item. However, you MUST call LRS at 844-633-3577 to schedule the pickup beforehand, and the mattress must be completely wrapped and sealed in plastic before placing it at the curb.
Can I recycle plastic grocery bags in my curbside cart?
Standard loose plastic bags are not allowed in the recycling cart. However, North Chicago participates in the Hefty ReNew program. You can place plastic bags, foam cups, and chip bags into a designated Hefty Orange Bag, tie it tight, and place that bag inside your recycling cart.
Where can I recycle an old television in North Chicago?
Electronic waste is banned from the regular trash. North Chicago residents can drop off e-waste at the City Yard located at 1421 Renken Avenue. E-cycling hours are Mondays from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM and Fridays from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM.
What is the holiday schedule for garbage pickup in North Chicago?
LRS observes New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If the holiday falls on a weekday on or before your service day, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the rest of that week.