Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Palatine
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.
Groot-issued Cart (Black Lid) Bin (Trash)
All refuse must fit in the Groot cart with a black lid. Excess refuse may be bagged and placed next to the cart. Must be at the curb by 6:30 AM on collection day, but no earlier than 7:00 PM the night before (4:00 PM during standard winter time).
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food packaging
Groot-issued Cart (Green or Yellow Lid) Bin (Recycling)
Place items loosely in the cart. Do not bag recyclables in plastic bags. Ensure the cart is at the curb by 6:30 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and cardboard
- ✓Plastic containers, bottles, and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Light bulbs
Yard Waste Bin
Picked up from the first full week of April through the second full week of December. Use 2-ply brown paper yard bags or bundles (max 4 feet long, 2 feet wide). Max 60 lbs per bag/bundle. Do not use plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree trimming debris
- ✓Small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular collection day
Placement
Place alongside your refuse cart by 6:30 AM. For items over 50 lbs or 4 feet in length, you must call Groot at 800-244-1977 in advance to schedule.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Bicycles
- ✓ Lawn mowers (gas and oil removed)
- ✓ Barbecue grills (propane tanks removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Appliances and white goods (unless pre-scheduled)
- ✕ Electronics and televisions
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous chemical waste
- ✕ Construction debris over 2 cubic yards
Standard and oversized bulk items are collected for free. However, appliances (white goods) cost $20 each, and e-waste costs $20 for up to 5 items (TVs over 50 lbs cost an extra $50).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on a weekday on or before your regular collection day, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular garbage during the active April-December season.
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekend, your standard weekday collection schedule will generally remain unchanged.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No Loose Sharps or Needles
Never place medical sharps or needles in your regular garbage or recycling carts. Palatine offers a free special drop-off for sharps at the Community Services Counter at 200 E. Wood Street, provided they are in a red biohazard container or rigid plastic bottle.
Prepare Your Construction Debris
While Groot will pick up minor DIY remodeling debris on your normal trash day, it is strictly limited to a maximum volume of two cubic yards per week. All construction materials must be properly bagged or bundled, and no single bag can exceed 50 pounds.
Avoid Sneaky E-Waste Fees
Electronic waste is completely banned from standard curbside pickup in Illinois. While Groot will collect up to 5 e-waste items for a $20 pre-paid fee, be aware that any television weighing more than 50 pounds will incur an additional $50 surcharge per unit.
Seasonal Information
Spring
MayTake advantage of Palatine's Annual Spring Clean-Up Week in early May. During your scheduled pickup day this week, you can place an unlimited amount of standard refuse, furniture, and bulk junk at the curb for free.
Spring to Fall
April - DecemberThe collection of bagged and bundled yard waste runs continuously from the first full week of April through the second full week of December. Ensure all branches are securely tied with biodegradable cotton twine.
Winter Holidays
December - JanuaryGroot will collect bare Christmas trees and wreaths placed at the curb on your regular collection day. Additionally, holiday string lights can be dropped off at the 24/7 Recycling Center at the Public Works facility.
About Palatine Waste Management
Free 24/7 Food Scrap and Specialty Drop-Off
In spring 2026, the Village of Palatine expanded its community sustainability efforts by launching a 24/7 Recycling Center and Food Scrap Drop-Off site at the Public Works facility on W. Illinois Avenue. Residents can drop off all food scraps—including meat, dairy, bones, and baked goods—at any time. The facility also accepts plastic grocery bags and holiday lights year-round.
Generous Weekly Bulk Item Pickups
Unlike municipalities that charge for every large item, Palatine's contract with Groot allows for highly convenient weekly bulk waste disposal. Residents can place standard bulk items (like a mattress, chair, or bicycle) at the curb on their regular garbage day for absolutely free. Even oversized items weighing more than 50 pounds or longer than 4 feet are collected for free, provided you call Groot in advance to schedule the appropriate truck.
Unlimited Spring Clean-Up Week
Every year in early May, Palatine hosts an Annual Spring Clean-Up Week. During this highly anticipated week, Groot collects an unlimited amount of properly prepared household refuse, junk, and bulk items on your regular collection day. While regular construction debris is still limited to two cubic yards, this is the perfect time for a major basement or garage clean-out without worrying about standard volume limits.
Curbside Textile Recycling
Palatine partners with Simple Recycling to divert clothing and home goods away from landfills. Residents can bag up men's, women's, and children's clothing, shoes, jewelry, and even small home goods (under 50 pounds) for free collection. This ensures that usable textiles are either sent to local thrift stores or shredded into industrial insulation, rather than taking up space in local dumps.
Drop-off Facilities
Palatine Public Works Recycling Center
148 W. Illinois Avenue, Palatine, IL 60067
Materials Accepted
Village of Palatine Community Services Counter
200 E. Wood Street, 1st Floor, Palatine, IL 60067
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of an old TV or computer in Palatine?
Electronic waste cannot be thrown in your regular trash. You must contact Groot at 800-244-1977 at least one business day before your regular service day to schedule an e-waste pickup. There is a $20 prepaid charge for up to 5 electronic items. If a television weighs more than 50 pounds, there is an additional $50 fee per unit.
Does Groot charge for large bulk items like couches or mattresses?
No. Standard bulk items that are too large to fit in your cart can be placed at the curb weekly for free. If the item weighs more than 50 pounds or is longer than 4 feet, it is still free, but you must call Groot in advance to schedule the pickup so they can send the appropriate truck.
Where can I drop off food scraps and compost in Palatine?
Starting in May 2026, Palatine residents can utilize a free, 24/7 Food Scrap Drop-Off Site located at the Public Works facility at 148 W. Illinois Avenue. You can drop off all food scraps, including meat, dairy, bones, and produce.
What are the rules for throwing away remodeling debris?
You can dispose of minor DIY construction and remodeling refuse on your regular garbage day, but it is strictly limited to a maximum volume of two cubic yards. All debris must be properly bagged or bundled, and no single bag or bundle can weigh more than 50 pounds.