Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for West Chicago
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 (City-issued 35-gallon or 95-gallon cart) Bin (Trash)
Trash must fit inside the cart with the lid completely closed. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day. Any trash outside the cart requires a Universal Sticker.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Small broken household items
City-issued Cart (or resident's 33-gallon bin marked 'RECYCLING') Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the bin. No sticker is required for recycling pickup. If using a personal can, you must affix a free 'RECYCLING' decal available at City Hall.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Office paper, junk mail, and magazines
- ✓Clean plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags or film
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Scrap metal
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Use brown kraft paper bags or a personal 32-gallon can, each requiring one Universal Sticker. Branches must be bundled (max 4 feet long, under 50 lbs). Alternatively, subscribe to the 95-gallon yard waste cart program.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Twigs and brush
- ✓Plant-based food scraps (ONLY in the 95-gallon subscription cart)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on regular service day
Placement
Place bulk items alongside your regular trash carts by 6:00 a.m. Ensure the Universal Sticker is clearly visible to the driver.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and dressers
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Rolled carpet (up to 5 rolls, max 4 ft length, 18-inch diameter)
- ✓ Small amounts of tied construction debris (under 50 lbs)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Electronics and televisions
- ✕ Hazardous waste or liquid paints
- ✕ Tires and automotive parts
- ✕ Loose dirt, concrete, or stone
Each bulk item requires one Universal Sticker, which can be purchased at City Hall or participating local grocery and hardware stores.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, all regularly scheduled garbage and recycling services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule.
Holidays falling on a Sunday are observed the following Monday, pushing collections back one day for that week. Saturday holidays do not affect the schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Recycling Bin
Do not collect your recyclables inside plastic grocery bags. Groot sorting facilities cannot process film plastics; bagging your recycling will result in a non-collection tag being left on your bin.
Electronics Never Belong in Carts
Never hide old cell phones, laptops, or batteries in your standard refuse cart. Take advantage of the free Saturday morning e-waste drop-off at the Powis Road facility instead.
Food Scraps Need the Right Container
While West Chicago encourages food scrap composting, these materials are only permitted in the 95-gallon yard waste subscription cart. Never put food scraps into paper yard waste bags.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Fall
April, Late October - NovemberWest Chicago provides a free leaf collection period. Leaves will be collected at no charge (no stickers required) for one week in April and for five weeks beginning the last week in October. They must be in paper bags.
Winter
December - MarchDuring heavy DuPage County snowfalls, keep your carts slightly recessed in your driveway rather than in the street to prevent them from interfering with city snowplows.
Spring to Fall
April - NovemberThe standard yard waste program requires universal stickers. Additionally, the City runs a separate Brush Collection Program requiring a small monthly fee for specialized pickup of larger woody debris.
About West Chicago Waste Management
West Chicago's Tiered Refuse Programs
The City of West Chicago utilizes Groot Industries to provide residential waste services, offering flexibility through different service tiers. Most residents use the Standard Program, which includes a 35-gallon refuse cart, where any extra bags require a purchased universal sticker. Alternatively, households can opt for the Large Family program to upgrade to a 95-gallon refuse cart for a higher monthly fee. Seniors 65 and older are eligible for a reduced rate on the Standard Program upon age verification at City Hall.
Sticker Requirements for Overflow Garbage
Managing overflow trash in West Chicago is strictly regulated by a municipal sticker system. If your garbage exceeds the capacity of your designated cart and the lid cannot close, every additional bag or personal 32-gallon can must have a universal refuse/yard waste sticker affixed to it. Carts and stickered bags should be wheeled to the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your specific collection day, which occurs on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday depending on your neighborhood.
Yard Waste Subscriptions and Food Scraps
West Chicago provides multiple avenues for seasonal landscape waste disposal from April through November. Residents can attach universal stickers to brown kraft paper bags or personal 32-gallon cans for occasional brush disposal. However, households generating significant organic debris can subscribe to a 95-gallon yard waste cart. Notably, Groot allows subscribers of this specialized organics cart to mix approved food scrap materials in with their weekly yard waste, promoting local composting efforts.
Free Local Electronic Waste Drop-off Facility
Unlike many municipalities that force residents to rely entirely on fee-based curbside scheduling or distant county centers, the City of West Chicago contractually provides residents with a local, completely free drop-off option for e-waste. Residents can bring their old computers, monitors, and televisions to the Groot facility located on Powis Road every Saturday morning, keeping heavy metals out of local DuPage County landfills.
Drop-off Facilities
Groot DuKane Transfer Station (E-Waste Drop-off)
1995 Powis Rd., West Chicago, IL 60185
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to put my garbage out in West Chicago?
All Groot carts, recycling bins, and any stickered yard waste bags must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated collection day (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday).
How do I throw away extra garbage if my 35-gallon cart is full?
If you exceed the capacity of your cart, you must place the excess trash in a sealed bag or personal 32-gallon can and affix one universal refuse/yard waste sticker to each additional container.
Can I compost my food scraps with my yard waste?
Yes, but only if you are enrolled in the yard waste subscription program and use the provided 95-gallon cart. You cannot put food scraps into standard stickered paper yard waste bags.
Where can I recycle my old TV or computer?
West Chicago residents can drop off electronic waste for free at the Groot e-waste facility located at 1995 Powis Road. The site is open exclusively for this drop-off on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.