Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Northbrook
Trash Day
Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone (check your specific day using the Village's Know Your Neighborhood tool or via LRS).
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Every Wednesday from April 1 through November 30, and every other Wednesday from December 1 through March 31.
Set Out Time
By 6:30 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Refuse and recycling services are contracted through Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) and billed directly to homeowners on a quarterly basis in advance, separate from Village water bills.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
A 10% discount is available for senior residents age 65 and older. Hardship backdoor collection assistance is also available for eligible residents.
LRS Issued Cart Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the curb no earlier than 12 hours before collection and no later than 6:30 AM on your pickup day. Emptied carts must be returned to the rear or side of the home within 12 hours of collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Small non-hazardous household items
LRS Issued Cart Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loosely in your designated LRS recycling cart. Do not bag recyclables. Rinse all food and beverage containers before disposal.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Newspaper and office paper
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Use your LRS organics cart for yard waste and food scraps. Excess yard waste must be placed in biodegradable Kraft paper bags with an official LRS Northbrook sticker attached.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches (bundled)
- ✓Organic food scraps
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One item per week
Placement
Place your single bulk item at the curb alongside your LRS carts no later than 6:30 AM on your designated collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Tables
- ✓ Large wooden furniture
Not Accepted
- ✕ White goods (refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers)
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
White goods and large household appliances are not considered free bulk items. You must contact LRS in advance to schedule a white goods pickup, which incurs a fee of approximately $31 per item.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a designated holiday falls on a weekday on or before your normal collection day, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Organics and compost collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular garbage and recycling routes.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday, there is no change to the weekly collection schedule. If it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on Monday, pushing all services back one day.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryLRS provides free curbside collection of real holiday trees every Wednesday throughout the month of January. Trees must be entirely free of lights, ornaments, wire, and plastic bags.
Winter
December - MarchThe curbside organics and compost collection shifts from a weekly service to an every-other-week schedule beginning December 10th and running through March 31st.
Winter
November - JanuaryOld or broken holiday string lights can be safely recycled at the Fleet Maintenance Garage (behind Village Hall) on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM through January 31st.
Local Tips & Community Info
Weekly Refuse & Recycling via LRS
The Village of Northbrook partners exclusively with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) to manage the community's waste and recycling needs. Collection crews begin their local routes bright and early, so all designated containers must be placed out by 6:30 a.m. on your specific service day. Pickups run throughout the afternoon, wrapping up by 5:00 p.m. To keep neighborhood streets neat, residents are permitted to place their bins on the parkway up to 12 hours before their scheduled collection, and they must be returned to a discreet location alongside or behind the home within 12 hours after being emptied.
The All-In Composting Program for Yard Waste
One of Northbrook's most environmentally forward initiatives is the All-In Composting program. Instead of traditional yard waste bags alone, eligible households are provided with a specialized 35-gallon cart featuring a yellow lid. This receptacle is designed for the co-mingling of organic yard clippings and household food scraps, such as coffee grounds, eggshells, and vegetable peels. This organic collection operates every Wednesday, entirely separate from your standard trash pickup schedule. Diverting food waste significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and repurposes organic matter into rich soil amendments rather than filling up regional landfills.
White Goods and Free Bulk Item Policy
Every Northbrook household is entitled to discard one large bulk item each week alongside their normal garbage at absolutely no additional cost. Acceptable bulk pieces might include a broken chair or a rolled-up section of carpet, provided they weigh less than 50 pounds and can be safely lifted by a single driver. However, heavy white goods like refrigerators, washing machines, or stoves are not covered under this weekly courtesy. Discarding major appliances requires you to directly contact LRS customer service ahead of time to schedule an independent truck, which incurs a strict $30 processing fee per unit.
HHW and Unique Hardship Accommodations
Northbrook goes above and beyond to offer progressive disposal options, including an organized Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection program. By using an online LRS portal, residents can request a customized HHW kit containing thick disposal bags for safe removal of chemical products. Additionally, for senior citizens or those facing physical limitations who do not have anyone else at home to assist them, the Village Manager's Office oversees a specialized Hardship Program. Approved hardship customers receive premium backdoor collection at the standard curbside pricing rate, eliminating the physical strain of dragging heavy carts.
Missed Pickups and Standard Rules
If you experience a missed collection despite having your LRS carts properly spaced out by the 6:30 a.m. deadline, the quickest remedy is to email or call the dedicated LRS support team at 844-633-3577. Always double-check that your containers were not tagged for containing unapproved construction debris or prohibited electronics. Maintaining compliance with Northbrook's solid waste ordinances keeps the municipal franchise agreement running smoothly and ensures your property remains clean throughout the changing Midwest seasons.
Drop-off Facilities
Northbrook Fleet Maintenance Garage
1227 Cedar Lane, Northbrook, IL 60062
Materials Accepted
Abt Electronics Recycling Center
1200 N. Milwaukee Ave, Glenview, IL 60025
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should my trash be at the curb?
All garbage, recycling, and compost bins must be placed at the curb before 6:30 a.m. on your designated collection day to ensure pickup.
Are appliances included in the free bulk item allowance?
No. White goods like refrigerators and stoves require a special pickup scheduled directly with LRS for a $30 fee per appliance.
Can I get help if I am physically unable to move my bins?
Yes, Northbrook offers a Hardship Program for individuals unable to bring carts to the curb, providing backdoor service at the standard curbside rate.