Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Urbana
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your chosen licensed private waste hauler.
Recycling
Weekly on your assigned neighborhood route day (Monday through Friday) via the city's U-Cycle program.
Yard Waste
Offered seasonally during designated city spring and fall curbside collections, or year-round at the Landscape Recycling Center.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (or the night before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
In Urbana, trash collection is an open-market system where residents contract directly with a licensed private hauler, while municipal U-Cycle recycling fees are billed via the Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone
Varies by Private Hauler Bin (Trash)
Residents must contract with a City-licensed private hauler for refuse collection. Cart sizes, bagging rules, and placement times are dictated by the specific hauler you hire.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Blue or Green (U-Cycle Cart) Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loose in the U-Cycle cart. Do not bag recyclables. Carts must be at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled U-Cycle day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Food waste
Yard Waste Bin
Drop off at the Landscape Recycling Center, or arrange collection with your private hauler. The City only collects leaves curbside during specific weeks in Spring and Fall.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Brush
- ✓Branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by private hauler
Placement
Follow the specific placement instructions and time limits provided by your private hauler when you schedule the bulky item pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Sofas
- ✓ Chairs
- ✓ Large furniture
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Electronic waste (TVs, computers)
- ✕ Liquid paints
The City does not offer free bulk pickup. Additional fees will apply and are determined by your private hauler.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
For the U-Cycle recycling program, if an observed holiday falls on a weekday, collection is delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Private garbage and yard waste collection holiday delays will completely depend on the specific schedule of the private hauler you contracted.
Always verify your trash collection holiday delays directly with your chosen hauler (e.g., Republic Services, WM, or ABC Sanitary).
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring and Fall
Varies (Typically April & November)The City of Urbana Public Works Department provides specialized curbside leaf collection during designated weeks in the Spring and Fall to help residents clear their yards.
Winter
JanuaryFollowing the holidays, the City offers free curbside Christmas tree collection. Trees must be completely free of bags, tinsel, ornaments, and stands.
Winter
December - FebruaryThe Landscape Recycling Center (LRC) shifts to its limited winter schedule, operating Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, and remaining closed on weekends.
Local Tips & Community Info
Urbana U-Cycle and Solid Waste Collection
The City of Urbana operates a unique waste management system where the city manages the renowned U-Cycle curbside recycling program, while residents select their own private haulers for standard garbage collection. This means your trash and recycling might be picked up by two different trucks on varying schedules. U-Cycle serves all single-family homes and residential buildings up to four units across the community.
Preparing Your Recycling for U-Cycle
To participate seamlessly in U-Cycle, place your approved U-CART or recycling bins at the edge of the city right-of-way. Ensure your materials are set out the night before your designated collection day, as routes can begin very early in the morning. Keep the containers in clear sight, free from obstructions like parked cars or trees. Once emptied, all receptacles must be pulled back from the curb by 10:00 a.m. the day following your collection. Remember to clean your plastic bottles, cans, and cardboard before tossing them in.
Private Hauler Options for Garbage
Because Urbana operates on an open-market system for solid waste, homeowners must independently hire a licensed private hauler, such as WM or Illini Recycling, for weekly household trash removal. Service days, cart sizes, and monthly rates will depend entirely on the company you choose. It is highly recommended to communicate directly with your chosen provider regarding their specific rules for household refuse limits and pick-up times.
Managing Yard Waste and Leaves
Keeping your property clean during the fall and spring is simple if you follow local yard waste guidelines. Grass clippings, leaves, and organic yard debris must be packed into biodegradable paper bags or clearly marked yard waste bins. Plastic bags are strictly forbidden for landscape waste. Make sure your piles or bundled branches do not exceed four feet in length. Check with your contracted waste hauler or the city's seasonal collection announcements to confirm specific yard waste pick-up dates.
Large Item and Appliance Disposal
Discarding bulky materials like old mattresses, busted appliances, wood, or heavy furniture requires advance planning. Because regular trash trucks cannot accommodate bulk items, you will need to call your specific waste provider to schedule a special collection. Most companies charge an additional fee for oversized loads or construction debris. Never leave large items sitting at the curb without prior authorization from your hauler.
Holiday Schedules and Pick-Up Delays
National holidays frequently alter normal collection routines across Urbana. If a major holiday like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the Fourth of July falls on a weekday, both your private garbage hauler and the city's U-Cycle service will typically push collection back by one day. Always check the official City of Urbana website or your private hauler's notification system to stay updated on holiday-related service interruptions.
Drop-off Facilities
Landscape Recycling Center
1210 E. University Avenue, Urbana, IL 61802
Materials Accepted
Urbana Transfer Station - GFL Environmental
910 W. Saline Court, Urbana, IL 61810
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does trash collection work in Urbana?
Urbana uses a hybrid system where the city provides curbside recycling through the U-Cycle program, but residents must hire a licensed private hauler for their standard weekly garbage pickup.
When should I put my recycling out for U-Cycle?
You should place your U-Cycle bins at the curb the night before your scheduled collection day, ensuring they are clearly visible and not blocked by vehicles.
How do I dispose of a mattress in Urbana?
To dispose of bulk items like a mattress, you must contact your private waste hauler directly to schedule a special pickup, which may involve an extra fee.