Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Vernon Hills
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 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
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
The fastest way to receive a SWALCO contamination tag is by putting your recyclables inside plastic grocery or garbage bags. Always dump your paper, plastics, and glass loosely into the recycling cart.
Styrofoam is Strictly Prohibited
Foam cups, packing peanuts, and rigid polystyrene (#6 plastics) cannot be recycled at the curbside facility. Placing these items in your recycling cart contaminates the load. Throw all foam products in the regular trash.
Keep Carts Properly Spaced
Waste Management uses automated trucks to collect your bins. If you place your trash and recycling carts too close to each other, or too close to a mailbox or parked car, the mechanical arm cannot reach them and your pickup will be skipped.
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.
About Vernon Hills Waste Management
Flexible Refuse Collection Tailored to Vernon Hills Residents
The Village of Vernon Hills maintains a comprehensive franchise agreement with Waste Management (WM) for residential garbage and recycling. Unlike many municipalities that enforce a uniform schedule, Vernon Hills allows single-family and multi-family homeowners to choose between once-a-week or twice-a-week collection frequencies. Residents can also customize their service by selecting a 35, 64, or 95-gallon refuse cart. Additionally, seniors aged 65 and older who are head of the household qualify for a 10% discount on the once-a-week 35-gallon cart service.
SWALCO Partnership and Cart Tagging Program
To combat recycling contamination, Vernon Hills partners with the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO). SWALCO and WM operate a proactive cart tagging program where staff inspect curbside recycling bins. If prohibited items like plastic bags, styrofoam, or tanglers are found, a tag is left to educate the resident on proper sorting, and heavily contaminated carts may be rejected. This initiative directly supports regional goals to improve the purity of single-stream recycling.
Comprehensive Landscape Waste and Organics Options
Managing yard waste and food scraps is highly accessible in Vernon Hills. During the active season (April through late November), residents can dispose of grass, leaves, and food scraps via a seasonal subscription or by attaching a prepaid sticker (priced at $3.85) to each 30-gallon kraft bag or rigid container marked with an 'X'. Additionally, the Village has introduced an innovative off-season curbside organics program running from December through March, alongside a free, year-round organics drop-off site at the Public Works facility.
Year-Round Electronics and Medical Sharps Drop-Offs
Because electronic waste is banned from Illinois landfills, the Vernon Hills Public Works Department operates a free, year-round e-waste drop-off box at 490 Greenleaf Drive. Residents can safely recycle computers, TVs, and cables anytime. Furthermore, the Village coordinates with local fire districts to provide a safe disposal route for medical sharps, hosted securely at Countryside Fire Protection District Station #1 in neighboring Mundelein.
Strict Container Rules and Bulk Waste Policies
Maintaining a neat suburban aesthetic is a priority for the Village. All trash and recycling must be fully contained within the WM-issued wheeled carts with the lids securely closed. Any loose garbage bags or oversized items placed outside or next to the carts will not be collected on standard routes. For large items like furniture or appliances, residents must directly call Waste Management in advance to schedule a special bulk pickup and arrange payment.
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
Is there a senior discount for garbage collection in Vernon Hills?
Yes, Vernon Hills offers a 10 percent discount for senior citizens (aged 65 years or older and head of the household) who subscribe to the once-a-week 35-gallon refuse and recycling collection service.
Will Waste Management pick up extra garbage bags left next to my cart?
No. Under the Village's contract rules, all household waste must be placed completely inside the WM-provided containers with the lid shut. Any garbage bags or items left outside of the carts will not be collected unless you schedule a special pickup and pay an additional fee.
Do I need a sticker for yard waste in Vernon Hills?
It depends on your service level. If you pay the $175 seasonal subscription fee, you do not need stickers. If you do not have the subscription, every Kraft paper bag or 32-gallon can of yard waste requires a $3.85 prepaid yard waste/organics sticker.
How do I safely dispose of an old TV or computer?
Electronic waste is banned from Illinois landfills and will not be collected curbside. You can drop off electronics, completely free of charge and year-round, at the Vernon Hills Public Works Facility located at 490 Greenleaf Drive. The collection boxes are located on the east side of the building near the gate entrance.