Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Oak Park
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as your trash collection.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on the same day as trash from April through the last full week of November (requires a yard waste sticker or enrollment in the compost program).
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Refuse and recycling charges are bundled directly into your quarterly Village water and sewer utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (ACH), Mail, 24/7 Kiosk, In-Person
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Oak Park's Refuse Collection and LRS Guidelines
In the Village of Oak Park, residential waste management is handled through a comprehensive contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS). Because of the village's historic layout, the vast majority of households utilize alleyway pickup rather than front-street service. Residents must ensure their LRS-issued carts are placed flat against the alley property line by 7:00 a.m. on their designated collection day. To keep the alleys clear for emergency vehicles and neighbors, all containers must be removed and stored on private property within 24 hours after the trucks have emptied them.
The Village Pink Sticker System for Extra Trash
Oak Park operates a volume-based refuse program designed to encourage recycling and waste reduction. Your primary cart covers your standard weekly household garbage. However, if you host a party or do some heavy cleaning and generate more trash than the cart can hold, you cannot simply leave extra bags on the ground. Residents must purchase and affix a Village of Oak Park pink refuse sticker to every additional 32-gallon bag. These required stickers can be conveniently purchased at local hardware stores, Jewel-Osco, Pete's Fresh Market, and the cashier's office at Village Hall.
The CompostAble Program and Yard Debris
Sustainability is a massive priority in this community. The Village offers a highly popular, subscription-based CompostAble program, allowing participating households to receive a dedicated organics cart. You can toss food scraps, pizza boxes, and yard trimmings directly into this bin. If you choose not to subscribe to the organics program, standard yard waste collection runs from April through November. During these months, you must place grass and leaves in biodegradable paper bags, and each bag must have a green yard waste sticker attached to be collected.
Single-Stream Recycling Protocols
Every single-family home and small multi-family building is provided with a blue cart specifically for recycling. Oak Park utilizes a single-stream sorting method, meaning paper, flattened cardboard, glass bottles, and aluminum cans can all be mixed together. The most critical rule to remember is that recyclables must remain loose. Do not put your items into plastic grocery bags before tossing them in the blue cart, as thin plastic film causes severe mechanical failures at the LRS sorting facility.
Disposing of Bulk Goods and Electronics
When it is time to upgrade your furniture, getting rid of a large bulk item like a mattress, dresser, or sofa is simple, but it requires preparation. LRS will haul away large household items from the alley, provided you attach exactly two pink refuse stickers to the object. However, state regulations prohibit electronic waste from entering traditional landfills. You cannot leave old televisions or computers in the alley. Instead, residents can schedule an at-home e-waste collection directly through LRS or bring items to the Village's designated public works recycling events.
Drop-off Facilities
Oak Park Public Works Center
201 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I replace a cracked or stolen garbage cart in Oak Park?
If your LRS cart is damaged or goes missing from your alley, you should contact the Village of Oak Park Public Works Department or reach out to LRS customer service directly to arrange for a free repair or replacement.
Are trash pickups delayed during the winter holidays?
Yes, if a major recognized holiday such as Christmas or New Year's Day falls on a weekday, all refuse, recycling, and compost collections will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that specific week.
Where can I safely dispose of old paint and household chemicals?
Hazardous materials like oil-based paints, pesticides, and motor oil cannot be thrown in your alley carts. You must take these items to the Cook County household hazardous waste drop-off facilities or wait for a local collection event.