Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Skokie
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.
Village-issued Cart (95-gallon) Bin (Trash)
Trash must fit inside the 95-gallon cart. Must be placed at the curb or alley by 7:00 a.m. on your designated once-weekly collection day. To report a missed pickup, call Public Works.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Small non-hazardous household items
LRS-issued Cart (65-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loosely inside the cart. Do not bag items in plastic. Carts are serviced weekly by LRS on the same day as your refuse. Missed pickups should be reported directly to LRS at 844-633-3577.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and flattened cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Glass bottles and food jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Collected only on Wednesdays. Use 32-gallon paper yard bags (fill only 1/4 to 1/3 full if disposing of sod) or tie brush into bundles under 5 feet long and less than 3 inches thick. Maximum 10 bags/bundles per week, under 50 lbs each.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and weeds
- ✓Plant clippings and small brush
- ✓Small amounts of dry sod (soil removed)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular collection day
Placement
Place your weekly allowance of bulk items alongside your refuse cart by 7:00 a.m. Do not block the sidewalk or the street.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, chairs, end tables)
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Rolled carpet (cut to 6-foot lengths, max one room's worth)
- ✓ Minor DIY construction debris (up to 1 cubic yard)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and electronics
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paints, oils)
- ✕ Large-scale contractor construction waste
- ✕ Dirt, mulch, stumps, or logs
The standard weekly limit is free. If you have a small move-out (several items), you must call Public Works at 847-933-8427 to schedule and avoid a violation. Massive cleanouts require you to rent a dumpster through LRS.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a Village-observed holiday falls on a weekday, regular refuse and recycling routes will typically be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Because yard waste is collected on Wednesdays, a holiday during the week will delay the yard waste collection to the Saturday following the holiday.
Always leave your carts out if a collection is delayed. Minor adjustments to the holiday schedule are frequently posted in the Village's electronic newsletter, The Scoop.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Strict Ban on Grass Clippings
Never put grass clippings in your brown yard waste bags or your regular refuse cart. Skokie ordinances prohibit curbside collection of grass clippings. You must mulch them back into your lawn or hire a private landscaper to haul them away.
Mattresses Must Be Wrapped
Do not simply toss an exposed, old mattress at the curb or in the alley. To protect sanitation workers from pests like bed bugs, the Village requires all mattresses and box springs to be completely sealed in a plastic mattress bag or shrink wrap before placement.
Flatten Your Cardboard Boxes
If your recycling cart is overflowing, do not jam unflattened boxes into it. The Village conducts spot inspections; residents are required to reasonably fold down and flatten all cardboard to maximize space. If you consistently run out of room, you can request an upgrade to a larger recycling toter.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
Mid-October - Early DecemberSkokie provides an extensive unbagged Leaf Collection program. You do not need to call to request service; simply rake loose leaves near the street curb (not in the street) and crews will vacuum them up every 5 to 7 days.
Spring through Fall
April - NovemberStandard yard waste in bags or bundles is collected exclusively on Wednesdays. On weeks containing a major holiday (such as Memorial Day, Juneteenth, or Labor Day), the Wednesday yard waste collection is typically shifted to the Saturday following the holiday.
Winter
December - MarchYard waste collection is suspended for the winter. During heavy snowfalls, the Public Works Snow and Ice Control Division takes priority. Please ensure your refuse carts are placed in cleared areas and not obstructing street plows.
About Skokie Waste Management
Skokie's Hybrid Waste Collection Model
In a major environmental sustainability push, the Village of Skokie transitioned to a once-weekly refuse collection system in May 2023. The Village operates a highly efficient hybrid model for single-family homes and buildings with up to four units. The Skokie Public Works Department directly manages the 95-gallon refuse carts and yard waste pickups, while the Village contracts with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) to handle the weekly collection of the 65-gallon single-stream recycling carts.
Dedicated Wednesday Yard Waste Collection
Instead of picking up landscape waste on your normal trash day, Skokie dedicates every Wednesday exclusively to yard waste. From early April through the second week of November, residents can set out up to 10 biodegradable paper bags or tied brush bundles at the curb by 7:00 a.m. Uniquely, the Village strictly bans grass clippings from curbside pickup, mandating that residents practice 'grasscycling' (leaving clippings on the lawn to decompose) or arrange for private disposal.
Small-Scale DIY Construction Debris Allowance
Skokie is exceptionally accommodating to homeowners undertaking minor do-it-yourself renovations. The Public Works Department allows residents to place one or two heavy-duty contractor bags, or up to one cubic yard of construction debris, out for regular weekly collection for a few consecutive weeks. It is critical that any exposed nails be pounded flat or removed to protect sanitation workers. Larger contractor projects still require a rented dumpster.
No-Call Weekly Bulk Item Limits
For standard large household items, you do not need to call ahead or buy special stickers. Residents are permitted to place one large bulk item (such as a couch or mattress) or up to two smaller bulk items (like a chair and an end table) next to their refuse cart each week on their regular garbage day. If you are disposing of carpeting, it must be cut into lengths of six feet or less, securely rolled to a maximum 18-inch diameter, and limited to the amount of one small room per week.
Drop-off Facilities
SWANCC Glenview Transfer Station
3 Providence Way, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Materials Accepted
Skokie Health and Human Services Department
5127 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL 60077
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who picks up my garbage and recycling in Skokie?
Skokie uses a hybrid model. Your regular household garbage is collected once a week by the Village of Skokie Public Works Department using a 95-gallon cart. Your recycling is collected on the same day by the Village's contractor, Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS), using a 65-gallon cart.
How do I throw away grass clippings in Skokie?
You cannot throw grass clippings in your garbage or yard waste bags. The Village of Skokie strictly prohibits the curbside collection of grass clippings. Residents must practice 'grasscycling' (mulching the clippings back into the lawn) or hire a private landscaping company to dispose of them.
Where can I drop off an old television or computer?
It is illegal to place electronics in your regular trash. Skokie residents can drop off electronics, including TVs and computers, free of charge at the SWANCC Glenview Transfer Station located at 3 Providence Way in Des Plaines. The Village also hosts an annual Spring Greening event for e-waste.
Can I put a couch or mattress out by the trash?
Yes. Skokie allows you to place one large bulk item (like a couch) or two smaller items (like an end table and a chair) next to your trash cart every week on your regular garbage day without scheduling it. However, all mattresses and box springs must be wrapped completely in plastic.