Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Urbana
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Keep Bags Out of U-Cycle Carts
Never bag your recyclables in plastic garbage bags. Plastic bags wrap around the gears at the sorting facility and can cause entire loads of perfectly good recycling to be discarded as contamination.
Electronics Are Not Regular Trash
It is illegal in the State of Illinois to dispose of televisions, computers, or monitors in a landfill. Do not place these in your private hauler's garbage bin; instead, take them to a Champaign County E-Waste Collection Event.
Adhere to Your Hauler's Bagging Rules
Most private licensed haulers in Urbana require all loose household trash to be securely tied inside garbage bags before being placed in the refuse tote to prevent litter and deter pests.
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.
About Urbana Waste Management
Private Garbage Collection Meets Municipal Recycling
The City of Urbana utilizes a unique hybrid model for residential waste management. The city itself does not provide standard household garbage collection. Instead, residents are required to set up their own trash service by contracting directly with one of several City-licensed private haulers, such as ABC Sanitary Hauling, Republic Services, or GFL Environmental. While you choose your trash provider, the City of Urbana manages curbside recycling for all residents through its municipal U-Cycle program.
The U-Cycle Curbside Program
U-Cycle is Urbana’s comprehensive residential recycling initiative, funded through a recycling tax. Recyclables are collected once a week on a designated route day. The city provides residents with two-wheeled, flip-top U-Cycle carts to make sorting easy. To ensure your items are picked up, carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day, positioned at least three feet away from parked cars or mailboxes, and removed from the curb by 10:00 AM the following day.
Landscape Recycling Center (LRC)
Because private haulers often charge extra for yard waste, Urbana residents have a fantastic local alternative. The Landscape Recycling Center, located at 1210 E. University Avenue, is a not-for-profit municipal enterprise that accepts local organic yard waste, brush, and debris. They process over 100,000 cubic yards of material annually, turning it into high-quality organic mulch and compost that residents can purchase back for their own gardens.
Fall Leaf and Holiday Tree Collection
While standard yard waste must go to the LRC or be collected by your private hauler, the City of Urbana Public Works Department does step in to provide specific seasonal services. The city coordinates designated leaf collection weeks in the spring and fall, allowing residents to easily dispose of fallen foliage. Furthermore, during the month of January, the city runs routes to collect natural Christmas trees left at the curb, provided they are completely stripped of all decorations, lights, and stands.
Navigating Bulk Waste and Hazardous Materials
Because the City of Urbana does not operate garbage trucks, there is no municipal bulk trash day. If you need to dispose of a mattress, sofa, or appliance, you must contact your licensed private hauler to schedule and pay for a special bulk pickup. For household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronics, Urbana partners with Champaign County to co-host specialized drop-off events, ensuring toxic materials stay out of Illinois landfills.
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
Does the City of Urbana provide garbage collection?
No. The City of Urbana requires residents to set up their own household garbage collection by contracting directly with a City-licensed private hauler, such as ABC Sanitary Hauling, Republic Services, WM, or GFL Environmental.
How does the U-Cycle program work?
U-Cycle is the City's official curbside recycling program. A small recycling tax is applied to your utility bill to fund it. Recyclables are collected weekly on your designated route day. You can request a two-wheeled U-Cycle cart by calling Public Works at 217-384-2342.
Where can I dispose of large branches and brush in Urbana?
Residents can bring brush, branches, and yard clippings to the Landscape Recycling Center at 1210 E. University Avenue. The LRC is a municipal enterprise that recycles organic waste into compost and mulch.
How do I throw away large furniture or a mattress in Urbana?
Since the City does not pick up household trash, you must call your contracted private garbage hauler to schedule a special bulky item pickup. Haulers typically charge an additional fee for this service.