Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Round Lake Beach
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.
Standard Cart provided by Groot (sizes vary) Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be placed securely inside the provided refuse cart. Carts must be placed at the curb on your scheduled service day and promptly removed after collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Solidified cooking grease in sealed containers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste and soiled paper
Standard 65-gallon Cart (95-gallon available upon request) Bin (Recycling)
All items must be placed loosely in the recycling cart. Absolutely no bagged recyclables are permitted. Extra recyclables can be placed in a rigid container (under 50 lbs) next to the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or plastic film
- ✕Food and liquids
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Active April 1st through November 30th. Must use 32-gallon biodegradable kraft bags or rigid cans (max 50 lbs). Requires a prepaid sticker unless enrolled in Groot's subscription program. Branches must be bundled (max 4 feet long and 24 inches in diameter) with biodegradable string.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Plant and garden debris
- ✓Small branches and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly
Placement
Place your eligible bulk item at the curb next to your Groot refuse cart on your normal collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Small furniture items
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Household goods
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics (TVs, computers)
- ✕ White goods (appliances)
- ✕ Hazardous chemical waste
- ✕ Large amounts of construction debris
Extremely heavy items, major appliances (white goods), or large clean-out piles require you to contact Groot at 847-693-2700 to schedule a special pickup, which may incur an additional fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on or before your regularly scheduled pickup day, your refuse and recycling services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the holiday week.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active collection season (April through November), yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, your standard weekday collection schedule will typically not be affected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Avoid the Red Tag: No Plastic Bags
The fastest way to get your recycling cart red-tagged and rejected is by bagging your recyclables in plastic grocery bags. All cardboard, metal, and plastic containers must be emptied loosely directly into the cart.
Use Biodegradable Twine for Brush
When bundling loose branches and brush for yard waste collection, never use wire, nylon rope, or plastic ties. The Village requires residents to use biodegradable string or twine to ensure the materials can be properly composted.
Keep Dirt and Stone Out of Yard Bags
While weeds and grass are perfectly acceptable for the seasonal yard waste program, heavy inorganic materials like dirt, stone, and concrete are strictly prohibited and will cause your bags to exceed the 50-pound limit.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
NovemberDuring the entire month of November, the Village offers a free leaf collection program. Brown paper yard waste bags containing ONLY leaves will be picked up at no charge and do not require a prepaid yard waste sticker.
Spring
AprilThe seasonal yard waste collection officially begins on April 1st. Ensure you have purchased your prepaid yard waste stickers from the Village Hall, Ace Hardware, or Jewel Food Store on Rollins Road.
Winter
December - MarchDuring active snow operations, the Electronic Recycling drop-off location on Sunset Drive will be temporarily closed. Additionally, parking is prohibited on Village streets following a snowfall of two inches or more to allow Public Works to plow safely.
About Round Lake Beach Waste Management
Transition to Groot Industries for Round Lake Beach Refuse
Starting in July 2023, the Village of Round Lake Beach transitioned its municipal waste contract to Groot Industries. This partnership guarantees seamless weekly residential refuse and recycling collection for all single-family homes across Lake County. Residents utilize designated rolling carts for their standard household trash, with the option to manage their utility services conveniently through the Groot Mobile App or by directly contacting customer service.
Strict Recycling Contamination and the Red Tag Program
In collaboration with SWALCO, the Village has implemented a strict Recycling Contamination Reduction Program. Groot drivers actively monitor the 65-gallon recycling carts for prohibited items, primarily plastic bags and plastic wrap. If your cart contains these items, it will receive a 'red tag' and will not be collected until the contaminants are removed. This ensures the integrity of the single-stream recycling process.
Flexible Options for Landscape and Yard Waste
Round Lake Beach offers residents two distinct ways to manage their seasonal yard waste from April through November. You can opt for the 'Pay Per Bag/Sticker Program' by purchasing prepaid stickers from local retailers like the Village Hall or Jewel Food Store, or you can sign up for a 'Subscription Program' through Groot for an unlimited weekly allowance using your own 32-gallon cans.
Exclusive Local Electronic Waste Drop-Off
Because electronics are banned from Illinois landfills, Round Lake Beach provides a dedicated E-Waste drop-off location exclusively for residents. Located at the gated sanitary plant on Sunset Drive (south of Hawthorne Drive), the facility is open on the first Tuesday afternoon and the fourth Tuesday morning of every month, providing a safe way to dispose of old computers and televisions.
Proper Disposal of Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)
The Village Public Works Department emphasizes the importance of keeping fats, oils, and grease out of the municipal sewer system to prevent costly backups. Instead of pouring cooking grease down the sink, residents are instructed to let it cool and solidify in a sealed container, such as an empty coffee can or glass jar, and then safely dispose of that container in their regular Groot garbage cart.
Drop-off Facilities
Round Lake Beach E-Waste Drop-off (Sunset Drive)
1110 Sunset Dr, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073 (At the gated sanitary plant)
Materials Accepted
SWALCO (Solid Waste Agency of Lake County)
1311 N. Estes Street, Gurnee, IL 60031
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy yard waste stickers in Round Lake Beach?
You can purchase yard waste stickers at the Village Hall (1937 North Municipal Way), the Jewel Food Store (900 E Rollins Road), or the Ace Hardware (659 Railroad Avenue in Round Lake).
What happens if I put plastic bags in my recycling bin?
The Village participates in a Recycling Contamination Reduction Program. If Groot finds plastic bags in your recycling cart, they will attach a 'red tag' to it, and your recycling will not be collected until the prohibited bags are removed.
Do I need a sticker for leaf bags in November?
No! From November 1st through November 30th, the Village offers free leaf collection. As long as your brown paper yard waste bags contain ONLY leaves (no grass or brush), they will be picked up without a prepaid sticker.
How do I get rid of an old TV in Round Lake Beach?
You cannot put a TV in your regular garbage. The Village operates an Electronic Recycling drop-off located on Sunset Drive (south of Hawthorne Drive) at the gated sanitary plant. It is open on the first Tuesday afternoon and the fourth Tuesday morning of each month.