Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Vernon Hills
Trash Day
Curbside trash pickup is scheduled by neighborhood zone, occurring on either Monday or Tuesday (with an optional second pickup on Friday).
Recycling
Curbside recycling is collected weekly on your primary garbage collection day (Monday or Tuesday).
Yard Waste
Seasonal yard waste and organics collection occurs on your primary pickup day from April through late November (via subscription or single-use sticker).
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste and recycling services are contracted through Waste Management (WM) and billed directly to homeowners or through participating HOA group accounts.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
A 10% senior discount is available for qualifying heads of household age 65 and older on 1x/week 35-gallon service.
Green Cart (35, 64, or 95-gallon provided by WM) Bin (Trash)
Carts must be at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day. The cart lid must be tightly closed, and the hinge should face the house. Waste placed outside the container will not be collected without an extra fee.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper
Green Cart with Yellow Lid (35, 64, or 95-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be clean, dry, and placed loosely into the cart. Do not bag items. Leave at least three feet of space around the cart for the automated truck arm.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam (Polystyrene foam)
- ✕Rigid polystyrene (#6 plastics)
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Food or liquid waste
Yard Waste Bin
Active April through late November. Requires a seasonal subscription or a $3.85 prepaid sticker per Kraft paper bag or 32-gallon personal can (marked with an 'X'). Limit of 6 bags/cans per week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Garden plant debris
- ✓Approved food scraps
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Appointment Only
Placement
Items must only be placed at the parkway on the specific day you scheduled the special bulk pickup with WM.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large pieces of furniture
- ✓ Standard household appliances (must be scheduled)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics (televisions, computers)
- ✕ Hazardous chemical waste
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
Bulk pickups are subject to additional fees based on the size and type of the item. Payment must be arranged with Waste Management customer service at 800-964-8988 prior to collection.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of the week are pushed back by one day. For example, Thursday service moves to Friday, and Friday service moves to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active collection season, yard waste and organics follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular garbage and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no delays and your regular weekday collection schedule remains unaffected.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilSeasonal yard waste and food scrap collection resumes. You can purchase $3.85 pay-as-you-go stickers at Village Hall, Sullivan Center, Walgreens, Mariano's, or sign up for the full season subscription through WM.
Autumn
October - NovemberWhen clearing autumn foliage, the Village strictly warns against raking leaves into the street, as they clog neighborhood storm sewers and cause localized flooding. All leaves must be placed in stickered yard waste bags or cans.
Winter
December - MarchResidents have the unique option to participate in an off-season curbside organics collection for a seasonal fee, or they can drop off their approved food scraps for free at the Public Works facility located at 490 Greenleaf Drive.
Local Tips & Community Info
Village Refuse and Recycling Program
In Vernon Hills, residential solid waste collection is streamlined through an exclusive village-wide contract with Waste Management (WM). This comprehensive service is designed to keep our neighborhoods pristine while offering a highly efficient, automated collection system. Each single-family household is equipped with designated WM rolling carts for both refuse and recyclables. By adhering to the village's specific waste guidelines, residents can ensure a seamless pickup experience week after week.
Proper Cart Positioning and Collection Times
Timing and placement are everything when it comes to garbage day. Vernon Hills ordinances require that all WM carts be placed out at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day. Because the trucks utilize automated lifting arms, the carts must be spaced at least three feet apart from one another and clear of any obstructions like fire hydrants, parked vehicles, or mailboxes. After your trash is collected, bins must be stored away from the front of the property by the end of the day.
Maximizing Your Curbside Recycling
The village strongly encourages reducing your household's environmental footprint through active participation in the single-stream recycling program. Your dedicated recycling cart is the perfect place for clean cardboard, paper goods, tin cans, and rigid plastics. However, it is absolutely vital that recyclables remain loose. Do not place items in plastic grocery bags, as these films aggressively entangle the machinery at the local recycling facility, causing delays and increasing processing costs.
Options for Landscape Debris
When the weather warms up, yard maintenance becomes a priority. From the first week of April through the end of November, WM provides weekly yard waste collection. Homeowners in Vernon Hills have two distinct choices: they can either subscribe to an annual 96-gallon yard waste cart or utilize the pay-as-you-throw sticker program. If using stickers, residents must attach one official Vernon Hills yard waste sticker to every 30-gallon biodegradable kraft bag or bundled pile of branches set out at the curb.
Disposing of Bulky Furniture and Appliances
Are you remodeling or just doing some heavy spring cleaning? Waste Management allows residents to place one large bulk item—such as a desk, mattress, or couch—out for collection each week alongside normal household trash at no additional charge. However, large household appliances, often referred to as 'white goods' (like refrigerators, washing machines, or ovens), require a specially scheduled pickup. You must contact WM directly to arrange appliance removal, and a separate fee will apply.
Navigating Holiday Service Disruptions
The regular collection rhythm will occasionally shift due to major national holidays. Waste Management observes New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If your standard pickup day falls on or after one of these holidays during the week, your service will be delayed by one full day. Normal schedules will automatically resume the following Monday.
Drop-off Facilities
Vernon Hills Public Works Facility
490 Greenleaf Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Materials Accepted
Countryside Fire Protection District (CFPD) Station #1
801 S. Midlothian Road, Mundelein, IL
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I recycle old electronics in Vernon Hills?
Electronic waste cannot be put in your WM carts. Residents should utilize the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) drop-off programs, with the nearest collection site typically located at the Vernon Hills Public Works building on specific designated days.
What is the proper way to dispose of a Christmas tree?
Waste Management provides a special, free collection period for live Christmas trees during the first two weeks of January. Trees must be completely stripped of all lights, ornaments, and tinsel, and should not be placed in plastic disposal bags.
Who do I call if my garbage cart is damaged?
If your bin is cracked, missing a lid, or has a broken wheel, you should contact Waste Management customer service directly. They will schedule a free repair or deliver a replacement cart to your property.