Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for South Elgin
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.
Green (95-gallon) Bin (Trash)
Place the 95-gallon cart with wheels facing the house by 6:00 AM on your collection day. Unlimited extra bags or 32-gallon cans are allowed if they weigh under 50 lbs each.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste and non-recyclable wrappers
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Small amounts of tied construction debris (under 2 cubic yards)
Typically Green or Blue (65-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the 65-gallon recycling toter. Never bag your recycling in plastic.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Newspapers, mail, and magazines
- ✓Clean plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Food or liquid waste
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Scrap metal
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Place in standard 30-gallon brown kraft yard waste bags or in a personal container clearly marked 'Yard Waste'. Max 34-gallons or 50 lbs. Brush must be bundled, max 4 feet in length and 2 feet in diameter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Shrubs and vines
- ✓Small tree limbs and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One bulk item per week
Placement
Place bulk items alongside your refuse carts by 6:00 AM. For heavy appliances ('white goods'), you must call Groot directly in advance to schedule the free specialized truck.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, dressers, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Lawn mowers (fluids drained)
- ✓ Bicycles and grills
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and toxic chemicals
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
- ✕ Loose dirt, concrete, or stone over 45 lbs
- ✕ Electronics (requires separate scheduled pickup)
One standard bulk item and up to 2 cubic yards of construction debris are free weekly. Appliances and e-waste are also free but require a phone call. Excessively large piles require an extra fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, your scheduled service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Wednesday pickup moves to Thursday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule during the active season.
If the holiday falls on a weekend, your standard Wednesday or Thursday collection schedule remains completely unaffected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Electronics Out of Carts
Even though e-waste collection is free at the curb in South Elgin, televisions and computers must never be placed inside the trash or recycling carts. They contain heavy metals and will contaminate the load; you must call Groot to schedule a separate truck.
No Plastic for Plant Waste
Yard waste enclosed in plastic bags will be tagged and left at the curb. Commercial composting facilities cannot process plastic, so you must use biodegradable paper kraft bags or a dedicated reusable can.
Ditch the Bag for Recycling
Do not collect your recyclables in a plastic kitchen garbage bag before tossing them into the 65-gallon recycling toter. Plastic bags wrap around the sorting discs at the recovery facility and halt the entire operation.
Seasonal Information
Spring to Fall
April - NovemberCurbside yard waste collection automatically runs from April 1st through November 30th alongside your regular garbage day. Ensure all brush is cut and bundled correctly.
Late Autumn
October - NovemberDuring heavy leaf-fall, South Elgin offers a special Leaf Pick-Up program. This must be scheduled in advance by contacting the Administrative Services Department at 847-742-5780 by 10 AM the Friday before the pickup week.
Winter
December - MarchDuring severe snowstorms, trucks may be delayed. Ensure your carts are placed slightly back in your driveway to avoid being hit by village snowplows clearing the neighborhood streets.
About South Elgin Waste Management
Unlimited Refuse Collection Services in South Elgin
The Village of South Elgin partners with Groot Industries to provide a highly flexible, unlimited refuse program for all residential households. Collections take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays, depending on your neighborhood zone. Alongside the provided 95-gallon green trash cart, residents are permitted to place an unlimited number of extra garbage bags or personal cans at the curb, provided each container weighs under 50 pounds. Carts and bags can be placed out starting at 5:00 PM the evening before pickup but must be removed from the curb by 6:00 PM the day after collection.
Free Curbside E-Waste and Television Pickup
A uniquely convenient feature of South Elgin's solid waste contract is the free curbside electronic waste collection program. Under the Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act, mixing electronics with regular landfill waste is strictly prohibited. Instead of driving to a Kane County drop-off center, South Elgin residents can simply call Groot at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a pickup. Groot will collect up to six electronic items—including one television—per scheduled collection at absolutely no extra cost.
Bulk Items, White Goods, and Construction Debris
Handling large cleanouts in South Elgin is straightforward. Groot allows one standard bulk item (like a couch or mattress) per week alongside regular trash. Surprisingly, the village contract also permits up to two cubic yards of construction and remodeling debris per week at no extra charge, provided it is neatly bundled and weighs under 50 pounds. For large appliances known as 'white goods' (like refrigerators or ovens), state law prohibits landfilling, but Groot will collect them at no additional cost if you call ahead to schedule.
Household Hazardous Waste Direct Pickup
Unlike many municipalities that require residents to drive to regional hazardous waste facilities, South Elgin offers a direct-to-door solution for toxic materials. Residents needing to dispose of oil-based paints, pool chemicals, pesticides, or motor oil can call the Household Hazardous Waste Hotline at 1-866-466-5060. Through a partnership with Kane County and Clean Harbors, residents can arrange a free front-door pickup for these dangerous chemicals, keeping them out of local groundwater.
Drop-off Facilities
Kane County Household Hazardous Waste Home Collection
Direct to door (Scheduled via Clean Harbors)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rules for putting my trash carts out in South Elgin?
All items, including carts, bags, and bulk items, must be placed at the curb no later than 6:00 AM on your collection day (Wednesday or Thursday). Do not place them out before 5:00 PM the evening prior, and all empty containers must be brought back in by 6:00 PM the day after collection.
Can I throw away extra bags if my green cart is full?
Yes. South Elgin has an unlimited refuse program. You may place an unlimited number of extra plastic garbage bags or personal 32-gallon cans next to your 95-gallon Groot cart, provided that no single bag or can weighs more than 50 pounds.
How do I get rid of an old television or computer in South Elgin?
You can dispose of old electronics directly at your curb for free. Simply call Groot at 847-429-7370 at least 24 hours before your regular pickup day. They will collect up to six electronic items, including one television, per scheduled request.
Does Groot pick up construction or remodeling debris?
Yes, Groot will pick up small amounts of DIY construction debris (up to two cubic yards) each week for free. Materials like lumber or drywall must be securely bundled, tied in lengths no longer than four feet, and weigh less than 50 pounds per bundle. Stone, dirt, or concrete must be placed in containers and cannot exceed 45 lbs.