Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Rock Island
Trash Day
Collection runs weekly Monday through Thursday based on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Collected every two weeks on your designated route day for subscription program participants.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your regular trash collection day from early April through early December for seasonal subscribers.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash collection fees and optional recycling or yard waste subscriptions are billed directly on your regular City of Rock Island municipal utility bill alongside water and sewer charges.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (ACH), Phone, Mail, In Person, Drop Box
City-issued Cart Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the curb by 7:00 AM on collection day, but no earlier than 8:00 PM the night prior. Carts must be 1 foot from the curb with a 3-foot clearance from obstacles. Lids must be fully closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓General refuse
Republic Services Issued Cart Bin (Recycling)
Requires a paid subscription. Recyclables must be placed loosely in the provided cart; do not bag your recyclables. Collected every two weeks.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper, newspaper, and mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Rigid plastic containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Requires a seasonal paid subscription ($100/season). Must be placed in biodegradable paper yard bags or an officially rented City yard waste cart. No plastic bags, rocks, or soil.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Garden debris
- ✓Small twigs and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free per calendar year (additional for $25)
Placement
Place items at your normal collection point by 7:00 AM on the scheduled day, but no earlier than 48 hours prior. City crews will not enter private property to retrieve items.
Accepted
- ✓ Bagged or boxed small items (under 50 lbs)
- ✓ Tied lumber and carpet bundles (max 4.5 ft, max 50 lbs)
- ✓ Tied brush and limbs (max 4.5 ft, max 50 lbs)
- ✓ General furniture
Not Accepted
- ✕ Appliances (white goods)
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Electronic waste
- ✕ Bricks, concrete, and masonry
The first special pickup per year is free. Additional pickups cost $25 each. Unacceptable bulky items like appliances and tires require alternative private disposal or drop-off.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Refuse collection runs Monday through Thursday. If an observed holiday falls on a Monday through Thursday, collection for that day and the remainder of the week is delayed by one day (e.g., Thursday routes collected on Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Subscribed yard waste and Republic Services recycling collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard municipal refuse.
Holidays falling on a Friday (such as Juneteenth or Independence Day on certain years) do not affect the normal Monday through Thursday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring to Fall
April - DecemberThe seasonal Yard Waste Collection Program operates weekly on your normal trash day from early April through the first week of December. Residents must actively subscribe through the city to receive this service.
Fall
October - NovemberDuring autumn, Rock Island residents can either subscribe to the yard waste program for curbside leaf pickup, or take advantage of the Millennium Waste Drop-Off Center on Saturday mornings for a flat fee.
Winter
December - MarchSince Rock Island refuse trucks operate exclusively Monday through Thursday, minor Friday holidays do not affect the collection schedule. If a winter snowstorm hits, ensure carts are cleared of snow and accessible.
Local Tips & Community Info
Rock Island Refuse Collection & Weekly Schedule
The City of Rock Island provides dependable trash collection to help neighborhoods stay clean and welcoming. Local refuse trucks operate from Monday through Thursday, ensuring consistent waste removal. Each address is assigned a specific collection day, and it is crucial to place your garbage carts on the curb by the designated morning time. Understanding your weekly pickup routine is the easiest way to effectively manage household waste and keep city streets tidy year-round.
Curbside Recycling Program & Fees
Rock Island partners with Republic Services to offer a reliable curbside recycling program. This service operates every two weeks, with the city divided into six dedicated recycling routes. Residents who wish to join the program pay an annual fee of $56.04, which is conveniently billed quarterly on the property owner's regular utility statement. Subscribing gives you a dedicated recycling cart for approved materials. You can easily start or stop your subscription using the city's online SeeClickFix software.
Yard Waste & Special Bulk Pickups
Disposing of heavy household items and seasonal yard debris is straightforward for Rock Island residents. The city generously provides every residential customer with one free special bulky waste pickup per calendar year. This service requires scheduling an advance appointment and is ideal for discarding old furniture, mattresses, or large home cleanout materials. For seasonal yard clippings, you can opt for a separate yard waste subscription, or simply take the materials to the local Refuse and Yard Waste Drop Off Center.
Holiday Delays & Bin Placement Rules
Navigating holiday collection schedules is simple. Because standard garbage trucks only run Monday through Thursday, minor holidays falling on a Friday will not disrupt the regular pickup routine. However, for major weekday holidays, services usually shift back by one day for the remainder of the week. When placing your carts, always leave about three feet of clearance on all sides so the automated truck arms can easily access the bins without knocking over mailboxes or scratching nearby vehicles.
Missed Pickups and Additional Sanitation Services
Occasionally, a scheduled collection might be missed due to severe weather, a blocked bin, or a temporary route issue. If your refuse or recycling was overlooked, you should report the issue directly to the Public Works Department or submit a quick notification via the online reporting portal. Additionally, families that consistently generate more waste than a single cart can handle have the option to order an extra refuse container for a small quarterly fee.
Drop-off Facilities
Millennium Waste (Refuse & Yard Waste Drop-Off)
13606 Knoxville Road, Milan, IL 61264
Materials Accepted
Waste Commission of Scott County
5650 Carey Avenue, Davenport, IA 52807
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the city provide a free bulk item pickup?
Yes, residential customers are entitled to one free special pickup per calendar year, which must be scheduled by appointment.
How do I sign up for recycling collection?
You can request recycling service online through the city's SeeClickFix portal. The cost is $56.04 per year, billed directly to your utility account.
Will a Friday holiday affect my trash pickup day?
No, since refuse trucks operate exclusively Monday through Thursday, holidays that fall on a Friday do not alter the regular collection schedule.