Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Oak Lawn
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.
Blue Bin (Trash)
Use the Village-issued 96-gallon blue tote. Overflow trash can be placed in galvanized metal/non-corrodible cans or bags not exceeding 33 gallons or 50 lbs. Place curbside by 6:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Green Bin (Recycling)
Items must be loose in the green tote. No alley pickup is permitted; carts must be placed at the curb.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Paper
- ✓Clean plastics
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Food-soiled materials
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Use the designated brown tote or biodegradable paper bags with a visible yard waste sticker. Soil and rocks must be removed from roots and shrubs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Twigs
- ✓Bundled brush (max 4 feet long, 2 inches diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (One item under 50 lbs)
Placement
Place your approved bulk item next to your blue refuse tote at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Box springs
- ✓ Small tables
- ✓ Chairs
- ✓ Sofas
- ✓ Carpet rolls (tied, max 4 ft long, 5 rolls = 1 item)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Unscheduled heavy construction debris
Heavy items over 50 lbs may incur charges. White goods cost $20, E-waste costs $30, and household construction material costs $7.50 per cubic yard.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday or a Sunday, collection services for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active season (April-December), yard waste pickups are delayed exactly alongside standard trash and recycling schedules.
Saturday holidays do not typically affect the Monday through Friday collection schedules.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Soil Out of Yard Waste
When disposing of shrubs or pulled plants, all earth, stone, and dirt must be completely removed from the roots. Dirt and rocks contaminate organic compost and will cause your yard waste cart to be rejected.
Schedule E-Waste Separately
Never place TVs, computers, or cords in your blue or green totes. Oak Lawn requires residents to call Flood Brothers to schedule a $30 dedicated electronic waste pickup to ensure legal and safe recycling.
Unbag Your Recyclables
Do not collect your recyclables in plastic garbage bags before putting them in the green tote. The sorting facilities cannot process plastic bags, and bagged recyclables are generally treated as standard refuse.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Fall
April - DecemberYard waste collection is seasonal in Oak Lawn. The program officially runs from the first full week of April through the second week of December each year.
Summer
June - AugustSevere summer thunderstorms frequently cause parkway tree damage. The Village's Forestry Division will collect debris from village-owned parkway trees. For private tree damage, residents must bundle branches (under 4 feet and 50 lbs) for normal Flood Brothers collection, unless extreme conditions prompt emergency Village chipper deployment.
Winter
December - MarchDuring Cook County snowstorms, ensure your blue and green totes are placed at the edge of the driveway rather than in the street to avoid interfering with Village snow plows.
About Oak Lawn Waste Management
Navigating Oak Lawn's Transition to Flood Brothers Disposal
As of October 1, 2025, the Village of Oak Lawn transitioned its residential waste and recycling hauling services to Flood Brothers Disposal, replacing Republic Services. This transition successfully reduced quarterly rates for residents. The Village continues to administer billing quarterly, while all service requests, missed pickups, and additional cart rentals are managed directly by Flood Brothers. Residents can expect same-day weekly collection for trash, recycling, and yard waste.
Understanding the Blue, Green, and Brown Tote System
Oak Lawn utilizes a color-coded tote system to streamline curbside collection. Blue totes are designated for general refuse, green totes for recyclables, and brown totes for seasonal yard waste. All materials must be placed curbside by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day, but no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the evening before. Notably, Oak Lawn strictly enforces a 'no alley pickup' rule for recycling totes—all green carts must be placed at the curb to ensure collection.
Bulk Items and Household Construction Debris Guidelines
Oak Lawn offers generous bulk trash provisions, allowing residents to place one bulk item weighing less than 50 pounds—such as a small chair or mattress—out for free weekly collection. However, items exceeding 50 pounds require scheduling at least 24 hours in advance. For minor home renovations, Flood Brothers accepts household construction materials securely bundled (maximum 4 feet and 60 pounds) or in approved containers, subject to a $7.50 per cubic yard fee.
Disposing of E-Waste and Appliances (White Goods)
Electronics and large appliances are prohibited from standard landfill disposal in Illinois. Oak Lawn residents can schedule convenient curbside pickups for these specialty items. Flood Brothers charges a $20 fee for white goods (like refrigerators and washing machines) and a $30 fee for electronic waste, which covers up to ten electronic items (limited to one television). All special pickups must be coordinated directly with Flood Brothers at least one business day prior to your standard collection day.
Senior Citizens and Disability Discount Programs
The Village of Oak Lawn prioritizes affordability for its vulnerable populations. Senior citizens (aged 65 and older) and residents with qualifying disabilities are eligible for a reduced quarterly waste hauling rate. To take advantage of this discount, eligible residents must apply in person at the Village Hall finance window or download and submit the application form via email.
Drop-off Facilities
Flood Brothers Disposal (Headquarters & Office)
17 W 609 14th Street, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage collection services in Oak Lawn, IL?
As of October 2025, residential waste, recycling, and yard waste collection in the Village of Oak Lawn is managed by Flood Brothers Disposal. They provide weekly, same-day pickup for all three streams.
How do I throw away an old mattress in Oak Lawn?
You can place one bulk item weighing less than 50 pounds, such as a mattress, out with your regular weekly garbage for free. If the mattress is particularly heavy (over 50 lbs), you must contact Flood Brothers Disposal 24 hours in advance to schedule the special pickup.
When does yard waste season begin and end in Oak Lawn?
The yard waste collection season in Oak Lawn begins the first full week of April and concludes after the second week of December. During this time, residents can use their brown totes or labeled biodegradable paper bags.
How can I dispose of a television or refrigerator in Oak Lawn?
These items require a scheduled pickup. Flood Brothers charges a $20 fee for refrigerators and other 'white goods' (ensure doors are removed), and a $30 fee for electronic waste, which allows you to discard up to 10 electronic items, though limited to one TV per pickup. Call (630) 261-0400 to schedule.