Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Rock Island
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
No Loose Debris for Special Pickups
If you schedule a bulk waste special pickup, loose items will be completely ignored by city crews. All small items like toys, books, or dishes must be placed in a closed box or bag weighing under 50 lbs.
Hot Ashes Cause Truck Fires
Never dispose of hot ashes or grill coals in your municipal refuse cart. These materials can easily ignite inside the enclosed automated trucks, posing a severe fire danger to sanitation workers and equipment.
Keep E-Waste and Hazardous Materials Out
Banned by Illinois state law, electronics, liquid paints, pesticides, and flammable liquids cannot go in your trash. Utilize the Waste Commission of Scott County for free e-waste and household hazardous waste drop-offs.
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.
About Rock Island Waste Management
Municipal Refuse Operations
Unlike many Illinois municipalities that fully privatize waste services, the City of Rock Island Public Works Department directly manages residential refuse collection. Residents are provided one free refuse cart, with pickups operating on an efficient Monday through Thursday schedule. To ensure smooth automated collection, carts must be placed exactly one foot from the curb with a strict three-foot clearance from parked vehicles, utility poles, and mailboxes.
Subscription-Based Curbside Recycling
Rock Island employs an opt-in model for its residential recycling efforts. Homeowners and local businesses can subscribe to the bi-weekly Curbside Recycling Program, which is serviced via a municipal contract with Republic Services. The affordable annual subscription (currently $56.04) is conveniently billed to the property owner's quarterly utility bill and includes a dedicated recycling cart for loose, unsorted recyclables.
Paid Seasonal Yard Waste Program
For organic landscape debris management, the city offers a seasonal Yard Waste Collection Program running from early April through early December. Subscribers pay a flat seasonal fee of $100 and can set out landscape waste in biodegradable paper bags. For added convenience, participants can also rent a specialized, wheeled yard waste cart directly from the city for an additional $50 per season to avoid purchasing and filling paper bags.
Scheduled Special Pickups for Bulk Items
Clearing out basement clutter or disposing of old furniture requires a scheduled appointment in Rock Island. Every residential household is entitled to one free 'Special Pickup' per calendar year for bulk waste, with additional collections available for a $25 service charge. Strict weight and size limits apply to ensure worker safety: carpet, lumber, and branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 4.5 feet and under 50 pounds, while smaller items must be securely boxed or bagged.
Millennium Waste Saturday Drop-Off
If you miss your curbside pickup, exceed your volume limits, or choose not to subscribe to the yard waste program, the city partners with Millennium Waste in Milan for a Saturday morning drop-off solution. For a flat $25 credit card fee, residents can bring up to a pickup truck's worth of household trash or yard waste between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Be sure to securely tarp your load, as untarped debris is strictly prohibited.
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
Is recycling free in Rock Island?
No, the city utilizes an opt-in model. Homeowners must subscribe to the Curbside Recycling Subscription Program provided by Republic Services. The cost is currently $56.04 per year, billed quarterly, and includes a dedicated recycling cart.
How do I get rid of bulk waste like furniture or lumber?
Rock Island provides residential customers with one free 'Special Pickup' per calendar year. You must call Public Works at 309-732-2200 to schedule it. Items must not be loose; bundles of lumber or carpet cannot exceed 4.5 feet or 50 lbs, and small items must be boxed.
Does the city pick up yard waste at the curb?
Yes, but it requires a seasonal subscription of $100. Subscribed yard waste is picked up weekly from early April through early December on your regular trash day. You can use approved paper bags or rent an optional yard waste cart for an additional $50.
When do I need to put my trash cart out for collection?
You must place your refuse cart at the curb no earlier than 8:00 PM the night before and no later than 7:00 AM on your collection day. Carts must be returned to your storage area by noon the day after collection to comply with city ordinances.