Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Springfield
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your licensed private hauler (Republic Services or Lake Area Disposal) and neighborhood route.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as your trash service through your licensed private hauler.
Yard Waste
Collected bi-weekly year-round on alternating weeks: North Zone (north of South Grand Avenue) and South Zone (south of South Grand Avenue).
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Springfield residents contract directly with city-licensed private haulers for regular trash pickup, while municipal waste program fees and sewer services are billed monthly on your CWLP utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
City Water, Light & Power (CWLP) offers a Senior Citizen Discount on electric energy charges for income-qualifying seniors.
Varies by Hauler Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged and placed in the cart provided by your chosen private hauler. Bins should be at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day, as routes can start early.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small broken household items
Varies by Hauler Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the recycling cart. Do not bag recyclables in plastic bags. Flatten all cardboard boxes to save space.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass jars and bottles
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard (e.g., greasy pizza boxes)
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in 33-gallon brown paper yard bags or rigid plastic cans (up to 34 gallons and 60 lbs) prominently labeled 'Yard Waste'. Do not use plastic grocery bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Garden debris
- ✓Small twigs (pencil thickness or smaller)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to 6 items per year
Placement
Items must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your approved scheduled pickup date arranged through Habitat for Humanity.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Dressers and desks
- ✓ Large appliances (washers, dryers, stoves)
- ✓ Water heaters
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and electronics
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Central AC units
- ✕ Hazardous materials (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Remodeling and construction debris
- ✕ Railroad ties
The pickup is free for residents who pay the Public Works Waste & recycling fee on their utility bill. You must call 217-523-2710 or use the online portal to book.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because haulers are private, holiday schedules can slightly vary, but most delay service by one day if a major holiday falls on or before your normal collection day.
Yard Waste Exception
City-run programs, including yard waste and branch pickup, follow the official City of Springfield holiday closure calendar.
Always confirm specific holiday delays directly with your chosen private waste hauler (e.g., Lake Area Disposal, Republic Services, or WM).
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Summer
July - AugustDuring periods of extreme heat and high humidity, the City of Springfield often allows waste haulers to begin collection routes as early as 5:00 AM to protect worker safety. Residents should place bins out the night before during heatwaves.
Winter
JanuaryThe Public Works Department collects discarded live Christmas trees during the January quadrant branch pickup. Trees must be completely stripped of lights, ornaments, and tinsel, and placed curbside unbagged.
Spring to Fall
April - DecemberThe city's specialized branch collection occurs four times a year. You do not need to call to schedule this; simply check the city's quadrant map and have your branches out by 7:00 AM on the Monday of your area's assigned week.
Local Tips & Community Info
Understanding Springfield's Open Hauler System
Unlike municipalities that enforce a single city-wide contract, the state capital operates on a free-market subscription basis for residential waste. Homeowners and renters must independently select and hire one of the several city-licensed waste haulers operating in the area, such as Lake Area Disposal, Republic Services, or Waste Management. This competitive landscape allows you to compare rates, negotiate pricing, and pick a service tier that fits your household's exact output needs, ensuring you only pay for the capacity you actually use.
Coordinating Your Collection Schedule
Because you are hiring a private provider, your neighborhood does not have a universal garbage day. Your specific pickup time depends entirely on the routing of the company you choose. Despite this flexibility, local ordinances strictly dictate that trash bins cannot remain at the curb indefinitely. You are permitted to place your carts out the evening before your scheduled pickup, and they must be removed from the public right-of-way by the evening after collection to maintain neighborhood aesthetics.
Residential Recycling Services
Every licensed private hauler operating within the city limits is legally required by municipal code to offer curbside recycling services alongside standard refuse collection. These contractors will provide you with a designated recycling cart. While the specific accepted items can vary slightly depending on your chosen company's processing facility, universal rules apply: keep cardboard, paper, aluminum, and rigid plastics loose. Never place plastic bags in your recycling bin, as haulers reserve the right to reject heavily contaminated carts.
Municipal Branch and Leaf Collection
While everyday yard waste requires coordination with your private hauler, the Springfield Department of Public Works steps in to help with major seasonal neighborhood cleanups. The city organizes a free, scheduled branch pickup service typically beginning in the spring, mapped out by quadrants. During the autumn months, residents also benefit from free municipal curbside leaf collection. Leaves must be raked directly to the parkway edge—not swept into the street—to prevent flooding caused by clogged storm drains.
The Large Item Pickup Program
Getting rid of a broken refrigerator or an old couch? The Springfield Department of Public Works manages a specialized Large Item Pickup program. This is a fee-based service, meaning residents must contact the city to schedule the collection in advance and pay a charge based on the specific item type. It is a vital local resource for disposing of appliances, heavy furniture, and mattresses legally, actively preventing illegal dumping in alleys and rural capital outskirts.
Drop-off Facilities
Habitat for Humanity ReStore & Donation Center
2744 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL 62703
Materials Accepted
Springfield Transfer Station (WM)
3000 E. Ash St., Springfield, IL 62703
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Springfield provide my weekly garbage service?
No. Springfield uses an open subscription model. You must directly contact and hire a licensed private waste hauler of your choice to set up your weekly trash and recycling services.
How do I participate in the city's fall leaf collection?
You simply need to rake your loose leaves to the parkway edge (the grass area between the sidewalk and the street) before your neighborhood's designated zone pickup week. Never rake leaves into the roadway.
Can I leave my garbage cans in the alley all week?
No, local ordinance requires that refuse containers be stored out of public view when it is not your scheduled collection day, to maintain clean neighborhoods and deter wildlife pests.