Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Peoria
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.
Brown or Gray (City-issued cart) Bin (Trash)
Set out between 3:00 p.m. the day before and 6:00 a.m. on collection day. Extra trash can be placed in black bags or personal cans (<45 gallons, <50 lbs) for free. Carts must be moved away from the curb within 24 hours of pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam and packaging foam
Blue or Green (95-gallon cart) Bin (Recycling)
All items must be empty, rinsed, and placed loose inside the cart. Do not bag recyclables. Position the cart at least three feet away from your trash cart and mailboxes.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened paper and cardboard
- ✓Plastics #1 through #5, and #7 (containers only)
- ✓Food and beverage cartons
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam (expanded foam)
- ✕Plastics #6
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, hangers)
- ✕Electronics and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Use compostable paper yard waste bags or a personal 40-45 gallon container labeled with a City-provided 'Yard Waste Only' sticker. Do not use plastic compostable bags. Collected April through December.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Tree limbs and brush
- ✓Weeds (without produce attached)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular collection day
Placement
Set items at least three feet away from your garbage and recycling carts so they do not block the automated trucks. If a bulky item is small enough, it should be placed inside a tied bag or the trash cart itself.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables, desks)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Carpet and underpadding
- ✓ Building materials (wood, sheetrock)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Vehicle tires
- ✕ Concrete, rock, or dirt
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals and fluorescent tubes
There are no additional fees or municipal stickers required for bulk items or extra bagged trash for Peoria residents with active solid waste accounts.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a designated holiday falls on or before your regular collection day, your trash and recycling services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week, with Saturday acting as a catch-up day.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active collection season, yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as garbage and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, standard weekday services are generally unaffected, but you should always check the GFL or City of Peoria website for specific calendar updates.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Bags Go Back to the Store
Never place your recyclables inside plastic grocery bags, and do not toss empty bags into the recycling cart. Film plastics jam the sorting machinery at the materials recovery facility. Instead, bundle them and return them to a local supermarket drop-off bin.
Keep Plastic Number 6 Out
Check the recycling triangle on your plastics. Peoria's program accepts numbers 1 through 5, and 7, but strictly prohibits #6 (Polystyrene). Items like styrofoam cups, packing peanuts, and foam egg cartons must go in your regular trash cart.
Containers Only Rule
When recycling plastics, remember the 'Containers Only' rule. Just because an item is made of plastic does not mean it is recyclable. Plastic toys, storage totes, buckets, and hangers belong in the garbage, not the recycling bin.
Seasonal Information
Spring, Summer, & Fall
April - DecemberWeekly yard waste collection begins in early April and runs through the second week of December. Ensure all debris is properly bagged in Kraft paper or placed in a stickered 'Yard Waste Only' container.
Winter
JanuaryGFL crews will pick up real Christmas trees as part of normal trash collection after the holidays. Do not put the tree in a plastic bag. Remove all ornaments, lights, and stands. If the tree is extremely large, cut it in half.
Winter
December - MarchDuring periods of heavy snowfall, ensure your carts are shoveled out and not blocked by snowdrifts or placed on top of snowbanks. The automated arm needs clear access to the cart, at least three feet from any obstacles.
About Peoria Waste Management
Unlimited Bulk Waste Included in Your Service
Unlike many municipalities that charge extra fees or limit you to a few large items per year, the City of Peoria offers unlimited bulky waste collection included with your standard residential solid waste service. If you have furniture, mattresses, or even building materials like wood and sheetrock, you can set them out on your regular trash day. While prior notification isn't strictly required, calling GFL Environmental ahead of time ensures they dispatch the proper truck to handle heavier neighborhood cleanouts.
No-Fee Overflows with Personal Trash Containers
Peoria provides a remarkably flexible garbage collection system. If your household generates more refuse than your city-issued cart can hold, you aren't penalized. Residents can use their own personal garbage cans (under 45 gallons) or standard black trash bags for the excess. As long as these extra containers or bags weigh less than 50 pounds each and have tight-fitting lids or ties, GFL will collect them for free without the need to purchase any municipal waste stickers.
The Peoria County Free Load Program
For massive residential cleanouts that you'd rather not leave sitting in the alleyway, Peoria County residents have access to the highly convenient 'Free Load Program' at the Peoria Transfer Station in Pottstown. Once per week, eligible residents can drop off a load of residential waste weighing up to 580 pounds completely free of charge. You just need to bring proof of residency and ensure the load is securely tarped and free of banned materials like roofing or concrete.
Mastering the 'Yard Waste Only' Sticker System
From early April through mid-December, Peoria provides weekly yard waste collection. While you can always use standard 30-gallon Kraft paper bags for your leaves and grass clippings, the city also allows the use of personal 40- to 45-gallon plastic or metal trash carts. To prevent drivers from confusing these with standard garbage, you must acquire a free 'Yard Waste Only' decal from City Hall, Public Works, or a local GFL facility and affix it clearly to the container.
Single-Stream Recycling and the ABCs
Recycling in Peoria is managed through a single-stream system using 95-gallon carts serviced every other week (split into Schedule A and Schedule B routes). To combat contamination, the city urges residents to remember their ABCs: Always empty, rinse, and dry; Bags go back to the store; and Containers Only. By keeping unaccepted items like plastic toys, hoses, and styrofoam out of the cart, Peoria ensures its recyclables stay clean and marketable.
Drop-off Facilities
Peoria Transfer Station (County Free Load Program)
4349 W Southport Rd, Peoria, IL 61615
Materials Accepted
eCycle Services (Electronics Recycling)
8900 N. Industrial Rd. Suite G, Peoria, IL 61615
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy stickers for extra bags of trash in Peoria?
No. The City of Peoria does not require garbage stickers. If you have extra trash that doesn't fit in your cart, you can place it in personal 45-gallon containers or heavy-duty black trash bags next to your cart, completely free of charge, as long as they weigh under 50 pounds.
How do I get rid of an old couch or mattress?
Peoria provides unlimited bulky waste collection included with your regular trash service. Simply place your old couch, mattress, or furniture out by 6:00 a.m. on your normal garbage day. While not strictly required, it is highly recommended to call GFL at 309-688-0760 beforehand so they can send the appropriate truck.
Where can I dispose of a broken television or computer monitor?
Electronics are banned from Illinois landfills and cannot be placed in your trash or bulk waste. You must take items like TVs and computers to a certified electronic recycling center, such as eCycle Services on N. Industrial Road. Note that while computers are usually free, televisions and monitors typically incur a small disposal fee.
What types of plastics are accepted in the Peoria recycling carts?
GFL Environmental accepts clean, empty plastic containers marked with recycling symbols #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, and #7. Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam, #6), plastic bags, and non-container plastics (like toys or hangers) are strictly prohibited.