Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Plainfield
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday depending on your neighborhood: Mondays for areas south of 135th Street, Wednesdays for specific subdivisions (such as Chatham Square, Grande Park, Playa Vista, and Stewart Ridge), and Thursdays for areas north of 135th Street and River Ridge.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on the same day as trash from the beginning of April through the second full week of December.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Garbage and recycling fees are bundled directly into your monthly Village of Plainfield water utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Drop Box, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Seniors who qualify for the county Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Exemption can receive a $2 monthly discount on refuse service and a 10% discount on water, sewer, and capital charges.
Green or Gray Bin (Trash)
Use the Village-provided 96- or 64-gallon cart. Overages must be placed in 33-gallon bags or cans weighing under 50 lbs. Place curbside by 6:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household kitchen waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
- ✓Paper towels and tissues
- ✓Textiles (if not donated)
Blue or Green with Yellow Lid Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the cart. Do not use plastic bags to hold recyclables. Keep items clean and dry.
Accepted Items
- ✓Dry cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Paper and mail
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Loose plastic bags and film
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Use biodegradable kraft paper bags or a rented WM yard waste cart. Do not include dirt, rocks, or sod.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and plant debris
- ✓Bundled brush (max 4 feet, 50 lbs)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Appointment / Weekly for Extra Bags
Placement
Keep carts and bulky items at least four feet away from parked cars, mailboxes, and each other to allow the automated truck arms to operate safely.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and mattresses (by appointment)
- ✓ Extra household trash (in 33-gallon bags)
- ✓ Small broken furniture
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Auto parts and tires
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals (use At Your Door service instead)
- ✕ Unbundled brush
Extra 33-gallon bags of household trash are collected at no extra charge. Large furniture or appliances may incur a fee; call (800) 964-8988 to confirm.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday (Monday through Friday), collection services for the remainder of that week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active season (April to mid-December), yard waste pickups are delayed exactly alongside standard trash and recycling schedules.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, your weekday collection schedule typically remains unaffected.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring/Fall
April - DecemberYard waste collection is entirely seasonal. It officially begins in April and ends following the second full week of December. During the winter, no organic waste will be collected.
Winter
December - MarchDuring heavy snowstorms, avoid placing your carts directly in the street where they may be hit by Village snowplows. Clear a spot at the end of your driveway instead.
Winter
JanuaryThe Village typically coordinates with Waste Management for seasonal Christmas tree collection in early January. Trees must be completely free of ornaments, lights, and plastic tree bags.
Local Tips & Community Info
Waste Management Curbside Collection in Plainfield
Keeping local neighborhoods clean and sanitary is a collaborative effort between the Village of Plainfield and its contracted service provider, Waste Management. Residential garbage is collected once a week. Homeowners must ensure their municipal carts are rolled to the edge of the driveway no later than 6:00 a.m. on the morning of their assigned pickup day. Once the sanitation trucks have finished their routes, village ordinances require that all empty bins be pulled back from the curb and stored out of public view by the evening.
Selecting the Right Cart Size for Your Home
To accommodate households of varying sizes, Waste Management provides different capacity options for refuse containers. Residents can typically choose between 96-gallon, 64-gallon, and 35-gallon carts. If you find that your family frequently overflows a smaller bin, you can contact the local Waste Management facility to upgrade your container size. All household trash should fit inside the bin with the lid securely closed to prevent windblown litter and discourage foraging wildlife from tearing open plastic garbage bags.
Proper Single-Stream Recycling Etiquette
The recycling program in Plainfield operates on a single-stream basis, meaning all acceptable materials are placed into one dedicated cart without the need for manual sorting. Clean cardboard, aluminum cans, steel food tins, and plastic jugs can all be mixed together. The most crucial guideline is to keep your recyclables unbagged. Thin plastic grocery sacks, garden hoses, and tangling wires cause severe disruptions and safety hazards at the material recovery facility, so these items must be kept out of your recycling container entirely.
Seasonal Yard Debris and Branch Bundling
From the first week of April until the middle of December, Plainfield offers a comprehensive yard waste pickup program. Residents must place grass clippings, leaves, and garden trimmings inside 30-gallon biodegradable kraft paper bags or in a rigid, 32-gallon trash can labeled clearly with a yard waste decal. If you have recently pruned trees, the loose branches must be tied into secure bundles using organic twine. These bundles cannot exceed four feet in length or weigh more than fifty pounds to ensure the crews can safely lift them.
The At Your Door Special Collection Service
One of the most valuable benefits for Plainfield residents is the inclusion of the 'At Your Door Special Collection' program. Instead of waiting for an annual county drop-off event, you can schedule a home pickup for hazardous household waste and electronic items. By calling the dedicated hotline or registering online, you can safely dispose of old televisions, computer towers, motor oil, garden chemicals, and liquid paint. A specialized kit will be mailed to your home to package these sensitive items prior to the scheduled collection date.
Disposing of Heavy Household Items
When renovating a room or upgrading your furniture, you can easily dispose of large items without a trip to the dump. The village contract allows for the collection of one bulk item per week alongside your normal refuse cart. Acceptable bulk goods include mattresses, box springs, sofas, and dining tables. Appliances containing Freon or heavy construction debris resulting from contractor work are not covered under this weekly bulk allowance and will require alternative disposal arrangements.
Drop-off Facilities
Plainfield Public Works Facility
14400 S. Coil Plus Drive, Plainfield, IL 60544
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a pickup for household hazardous waste?
Plainfield residents can easily schedule a home pickup for toxic chemicals, paint, and electronics by contacting the Waste Management 'At Your Door' service directly via their toll-free number or website.
Will my garbage be picked up on Thanksgiving?
No, Waste Management observes several major holidays, including Thanksgiving. If your scheduled service day falls on or after a major holiday, collection will be delayed by one day for the rest of that week.
Where can I get yard waste decals for my personal trash cans?
You can obtain free yard waste decals to adhere to your personal 32-gallon containers by visiting the Plainfield Village Hall during normal business hours.