Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Oak Park
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.
Grey/Black Bin (Trash)
Lid must be fully closed. Cart must be out by 7:00 a.m. Extra bags outside the cart must bear a pink refuse sticker.
Accepted Items
- ✓Non-recyclable household garbage
- ✓Treated wood (small pieces)
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Diapers and pet waste (bagged)
Blue Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the blue cart. Do not bag recyclables. Rinse all containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Office paper and mail
- ✓Clean aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass jars and bottles
- ✓Rigid plastic containers (#1, #2, #4, #5, #7)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags (film)
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Scrap metal
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in a 30-gallon biodegradable kraft paper bag with a green yard waste sticker attached, or loose in a subscribed compost cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Weeds
- ✓Brush and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on regular pickup day
Placement
Place bulk items in the alley (or at the curb, depending on your normal pickup location) next to your refuse cart by 7:00 a.m. on your normal collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Box springs
- ✓ Large rolls of carpet (cut to 4-foot lengths and bundled)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, monitors)
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Major construction debris
- ✕ Tires
The cost of disposal is covered by the purchase of the two pink refuse stickers (approx. $3.00 each) per item.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of that week are delayed by one day, with Friday collections occurring on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and compost collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard refuse and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is generally observed on Monday, delaying all collections for the week. If it falls on a Saturday, there is usually no change to the weekday schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Cart
The most common contaminant in Oak Park is plastic grocery bags. Film plastics wrap around the sorting gears at the LRS recycling facility, causing system breakdowns. Take plastic bags to your local Jewel-Osco for recycling.
Greasy Pizza Boxes Belong in the Compost
If a pizza box is covered in grease and cheese, it can no longer be recycled with clean paper. Either tear off the clean lid for the recycling bin and trash the bottom, or toss the entire box into your organics/compost cart.
No 'Tanglers' or Wires
Never throw garden hoses, electrical cords, or wire hangers into your recycling cart. These items are severe hazards for recycling machinery. Wire hangers should be returned to local Oak Park dry cleaners or thrown in the refuse cart.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October - NovemberThe Village conducts an annual fall leaf collection program. During designated weeks, residents can rake leaves directly into the street (about 18 inches from the curb) for vacuum collection by Public Works crews. Check the Village schedule for your neighborhood's exact week.
Winter
December - MarchHeavy snowfall can occasionally disrupt alley collections. During severe winter weather, ensure access to your carts is shoveled and free of snow drifts to guarantee service by LRS trucks.
Spring/Summer
April - NovemberYard waste collection officially runs from the first week of April through the last week of November. Outside of these months, green-stickered yard waste bags will not be collected.
About Oak Park Waste Management
Navigating Oak Park's Alley Collection System
Unlike many suburban communities, the vast majority of Oak Park's residential waste, recycling, and compost collection takes place in the village's extensive alley network. Residents must ensure their carts are placed on the edge of the alley by 7:00 a.m. on their designated collection day. It is vital to keep a three-foot clearance around each cart to allow the LRS automated truck arms to safely grab the containers without knocking over adjacent bins, utility poles, or fences.
Understanding the Pink Refuse Sticker Program
Oak Park utilizes a volume-based waste system to encourage recycling and composting. While the standard refuse cart is picked up weekly, any additional garbage bags placed outside or on top of the cart must have a pink Oak Park refuse sticker securely attached. These pink stickers are also required for bulk item collection and can be purchased at the Village Hall or at several local retailers, including Jewel-Osco, Pete's Fresh Market, and various local hardware stores.
The Village's Pioneering Compostable Organics Program
As part of its aggressive sustainability goals, Oak Park offers a robust Compostable Organics program. Subscribers receive a specialized cart designed for all food scraps (including meat and dairy), soiled paper products like pizza boxes, and standard yard waste. Subscribing to the compost program often allows households to downsize their standard garbage cart, saving money on their monthly utility bill while diverting significant waste from Illinois landfills.
Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Home Collection
Under Illinois state law, electronic devices such as televisions, computers, and monitors cannot be disposed of in standard garbage carts. To simplify compliance, Oak Park has partnered with LRS to provide periodic curbside e-waste and household hazardous waste (HHW) collections. Residents can also schedule an at-home e-waste pickup for a nominal fee directly through the LRS customer service portal, ensuring these hazardous materials are processed responsibly.
Drop-off Facilities
Oak Park Public Works Center
201 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy pink garbage stickers in Oak Park?
Pink refuse stickers and green yard waste stickers can be purchased at the Oak Park Village Hall, the Public Works Center, and at numerous local retailers including Jewel-Osco, Pete's Fresh Market, and local hardware stores.
How do I get rid of an old mattress in Oak Park?
To dispose of a mattress, you must securely wrap it in plastic (to protect workers from bedbugs) and attach two pink refuse stickers. Place it in your alley or at the curb next to your regular trash cart on your normal collection day.
Does Oak Park recycle glass?
Yes, glass jars and bottles are accepted in your blue recycling cart. Make sure to rinse them out and remove the lids before placing them loosely in the cart.
What happens to my garbage pickup if it snows heavily?
Collections will continue unless severe conditions make alley navigation impossible. However, residents are responsible for clearing snow around their carts. If your cart is buried in a snowbank or blocked by ice, the automated truck arm will not be able to service it.