Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Waukegan
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.
LRS-issued Cart Bin (Trash)
All regular trash must fit inside the 95-gallon LRS cart with the lid closed. Excess garbage requires a prepaid waste sticker. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day, but no earlier than 5:00 PM the night before.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers and waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small broken household goods
LRS-issued Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely inside the 65-gallon cart. Never bag recyclables in plastic bags. Contaminated carts will be tagged and left unemptied.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords)
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Use 30-gallon compostable paper yard bags or rigid containers (up to 32 gallons/50 lbs) marked with a yard waste decal. Brush must be bundled with biodegradable twine (under 4 feet long and 50 lbs).
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Weeds and garden trimmings
- ✓Small branches and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One item per week on regular collection day
Placement
Place your single bulk item securely next to your garbage cart between 5:00 PM the night before and 6:00 AM on your collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Small furniture (chairs, end tables)
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Rolled carpet (cut to 4ft, under 50 lbs)
- ✓ Standard household items too large for the cart
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics and televisions
- ✕ Construction and remodeling materials
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals and wet paint
- ✕ Items heavier than 50 lbs (unless pre-scheduled)
If an item weighs more than 50 pounds, or if you need to dispose of more than one item, you must call LRS at 844-633-3577 to pre-schedule and prepay for the extra service.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a Sunday through Friday, your scheduled pickup day will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular garbage during the active season.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday, there is absolutely no delay in the regular Monday through Friday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Mattress Wrapping is Mandatory
For health and safety reasons to protect workers from bedbugs, all mattresses and box springs placed at the curb in Waukegan must be entirely sealed in plastic mattress bags and securely taped shut. Unwrapped mattresses will be left behind.
Ban the Plastic Bags in Recycling
The semi-automated sorting facilities used by LRS cannot process flexible plastics. Bagging your recyclables in garbage bags or dropping loose plastic grocery sacks into your recycling bin will result in a contamination tag.
Keep Tires and Tech Out of Carts
Never hide old electronics or vehicle tires inside your LRS carts. These are banned from Illinois landfills and will cause the truck to reject your bin. Utilize the free Public Works dumpsters for these specific items instead.
Seasonal Information
Spring through Late Fall
March 15 - December 15Standard weekly yard waste collection is active. You must bag your yard debris or use marked personal cans during these months on your regular garbage collection day.
Mid-Autumn
October - NovemberLRS conducts specialized unbagged leaf vacuuming. The city publishes a zone map and schedule each October. Rake leaves to the parkway (not into the street) just prior to your zone's scheduled week.
Winter
JanuaryLive Christmas tree collection typically occurs in the first two weeks of January. Trees must be completely stripped of all decorations, tinsel, and lights, unbagged, and cut if longer than 6 feet.
About Waukegan Waste Management
Waukegan's Transition to LRS Cart Collection
In December 2023, the City of Waukegan modernized its solid waste program by transitioning the primary hauling contract to LRS (Lakeshore Recycling Systems). Every eligible household was equipped with standardized, heavy-duty 95-gallon refuse carts and 65-gallon recycling carts. This semi-automated cart system helps keep Waukegan's neighborhoods cleaner, especially on windy days near Lake Michigan. Residents must fit their standard weekly household garbage inside the provided LRS cart, and any excess trash placed outside the cart requires a prepaid LRS waste sticker.
Hassle-Free Weekly Bulk Item Allowance
A highly convenient feature of Waukegan's sanitation contract is the built-in weekly bulk item allowance. Without paying extra fees or scheduling a special pickup, residents are permitted to place one large item—such as a piece of furniture, a bundled roll of carpet, or a securely wrapped mattress—next to their trash cart on their regular collection day. The primary restriction is weight: the item must be under 50 pounds. For extremely heavy items that require two people or special equipment, residents must call LRS in advance to coordinate.
Public Works Drop-Off for Tires and Electronics
While Illinois state law strictly bans electronic waste and vehicle tires from standard curbside landfills, Waukegan offers an excellent local solution. The City's Public Works Department hosts dedicated drop-off dumpsters specifically for e-waste and scrap tires. Waukegan residents can bring these prohibited items to the Public Works facility during regular weekday hours (7:00 AM to 3:30 PM), ensuring that televisions, computers, and rubber tires are recycled responsibly without the hassle of driving to distant county facilities. Note that tires must be removed from their rims to be accepted.
Comprehensive Yard Waste and Leaf Vacuuming
Managing yard debris is critical for Lake County homeowners, and Waukegan offers a two-tiered approach. Standard yard waste collection runs from mid-March through mid-December, requiring residents to use compostable kraft bags or clearly marked personal cans. Additionally, to manage the heavy autumn leaf drop, LRS provides a specialized curbside leaf vacuuming service late in the year. During this targeted fall window, residents can simply rake loose leaves directly to the curb/parkway (avoiding the street) for designated vacuum truck routes.
Drop-off Facilities
Waukegan Public Works Dumpster (E-Waste & Tires)
1700 N McAree Rd, Waukegan, IL 60087 (Confirm exact gate entrance via City)
Materials Accepted
SWALCO Gurnee Household Chemical Waste Facility
1311 N Estes Street, Gurnee, IL 60031
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage and recycling services in Waukegan, IL?
As of late 2023, the City of Waukegan contracts its residential curbside garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection to LRS (Lakeshore Recycling Systems). You can contact LRS customer service at 844-633-3577 for cart issues or missed pickups.
How do I throw away a mattress in Waukegan?
You can throw away a mattress on your regular garbage day as your one free weekly bulk item, but it must be completely wrapped and sealed in plastic (available at hardware or moving stores). If the mattress is exceptionally heavy (over 50 lbs), you should call LRS in advance to ensure they send the right equipment.
Where can I drop off an old TV or computer in Waukegan?
Electronic waste is banned from the regular trash. However, Waukegan residents can drop off electronics, including TVs, at the City's Public Works facility dumpster located on weekdays between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
Does Waukegan have a leaf vacuuming program in the fall?
Yes. In addition to the standard bagged yard waste program, LRS provides an unbagged leaf vacuuming service in the autumn. The city releases a specific schedule by ward in October, allowing residents to rake leaves out to the parkway (not into the street) for vacuum collection.