Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Wheeling
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.
WM Issued 96-Gallon Cart Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed inside the designated WM cart with the lid completely closed. Mixed refuse or loose refuse in separate boxes will not be collected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Coated cardboard and pizza boxes
WM Issued 64-Gallon Cart Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely into the cart; do not bag your recyclables. Materials must be empty and rinsed of food debris.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum cans
- ✓PET #1 and HDPE #2 plastic bottles
- ✓Plastics #3-#7
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Glass food and beverage containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Microwaveable trays
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Coat hangers
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Use biodegradable paper bags or unlined 33-gallon cans marked with a 12-inch red 'X'. Max weight is 45 lbs. Branches must be tied in bundles (max 4 ft long, 2 ft diameter, 45 lbs) using biodegradable string.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Short branches
- ✓Vegetative plants
- ✓Brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One item per week
Placement
Place your single bulk item at the curb next to your refuse carts by 6:00 AM on your collection day. Carpet rolls must be tied, under 4 feet long, and weigh less than 45 lbs each.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Bicycles
- ✓ Lawn care equipment (no gas/fluids)
- ✓ Empty grills (no propane/charcoal)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Appliances / White Goods
- ✕ Electronics
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Car parts
Appliances and household construction debris (like drywall or roofing materials) are not included in the free bulk pickup. These require a special collection quote or a dumpster rental directly through Waste Management.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day. If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there are no service delays.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active collection season (April through November), yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular garbage and recycling.
Minor holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Juneteenth, and Veterans Day do not disrupt Waste Management's standard collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Do Not Bag Recyclables
Keep all recyclables loose in your 64-gallon WM cart. Plastic garbage bags are prohibited in the recycling stream because they wrap around the sorting gears at the SWANCC processing facility and can cause entire loads to be rejected.
Keep Food Out of Yard Waste
Unlike some nearby towns that allow organic food composting, Wheeling prohibits fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, and similar food items from being mixed in with your yard waste. Food must go in your standard garbage cart.
Keep Pizza Boxes Out of the Recycling
Although clean corrugated cardboard is heavily encouraged in your recycling bin, coated cardboard and greasy pizza boxes are strictly prohibited. These soiled items contaminate other paper recyclables and belong in the trash.
Seasonal Information
Spring to Fall
April - NovemberWeekly yard waste collections begin on April 1st and run through November 30th. Waste Management occasionally extends this deadline to early December depending on weather conditions.
Spring
MayThe Village of Wheeling and SWANCC host a highly anticipated Residential Document Destruction and Electronics Recycling Event on a Saturday in early May at the Public Works facility.
Winter
JanuaryFollowing the holidays, Waste Management provides curbside Holiday Tree Collections. To ensure pickup, all ornaments, lights, and stands must be removed, and the tree cannot be wrapped in a plastic disposal bag.
About Wheeling Waste Management
New 2024-2029 Agreement with Waste Management
The Village of Wheeling recently extended its contract with Waste Management (WM) for five years, guaranteeing residential garbage, recycling, and yard waste services through May 31, 2029. Each eligible residential dwelling unit—including single-family homes, townhomes, and multi-family buildings with up to four units—is assigned one 96-gallon wheeled cart for refuse and one 64-gallon wheeled cart for single-stream recycling. Lids must be completely closed to guarantee collection.
Strict Cart Placement and Storage Ordinances
To maintain neighborhood cleanliness and aesthetics, Wheeling enforces strict bin placement rules. Your refuse and recycling carts cannot be set out at the curb prior to 5:00 PM on the evening before your collection day, and must be out by 6:00 AM on the day of service. Once emptied, all carts and uncollected items must be removed from the curb before 8:00 AM the following day. When not at the curb, carts must be stored inside a garage or adjacent to the principal structure in the side or rear yard.
At-Your-Door Battery Collection
One of the most unique environmental features of Wheeling’s waste program is the At Your Door Special Collection Service for household batteries. Since 2019, curbside residents have the ability to safely dispose of harmful household batteries by arranging a special pickup directly with Waste Management. Instead of tossing batteries into the regular trash where they can leach heavy metals, residents can schedule a pickup by calling 800-449-7587.
SWANCC Recycling Perks for Residents
Wheeling is an active member of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC), granting residents access to specialized recycling drop-off programs throughout the year. The Village partners with SWANCC to host an annual Residential Document Destruction and Electronics Recycling Event every May at the Public Works facility. Through SWANCC, residents also have local drop-off options for compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) and seasonal holiday lights.
Unlimited Spring and Summer Yard Waste
From April 1st through November 30th, residents can take advantage of weekly yard waste collection alongside their regular trash pickup. The Village places no limit on the number of yard waste bags or cans you can set out, making spring cleanups incredibly convenient. If you prefer not to buy biodegradable paper bags, you can use unlined 33-gallon personal containers, provided they are prominently marked with a 12-inch wide red 'X' so the Waste Management drivers can easily identify them.
Drop-off Facilities
Wheeling Public Works Facility
77 W. Hintz Road, Wheeling, IL 60090
Materials Accepted
SWANCC Glenview Transfer Station
3 Providence Way, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to put my trash carts out in Wheeling?
Village ordinances require that all refuse and recycling carts be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day. Carts may not be placed out earlier than 5:00 PM the evening before. After collection, you must remove emptied bins by 8:00 AM the following day.
Does Wheeling offer unlimited yard waste collection?
Yes. From April 1st through November 30th, there is no limit to the number of yard waste containers or bags you can place at the curb. However, each bag or container must weigh under 45 pounds. If using a reusable bin, it must have a prominent 12-inch red 'X' painted on it.
How do I throw out a mattress or large piece of furniture?
You can discard one large item, such as a mattress or sofa, each week for free on your regular garbage day. Simply place the item at the curb alongside your WM carts. Please note that appliances and electronics are prohibited from this free bulk pickup.
Are there any special recycling programs for old batteries?
Yes! Curbside residents can dispose of household batteries safely by utilizing Waste Management's 'At Your Door Special Collection Service.' You can schedule a specialized battery pickup by calling 800-449-7587 or visiting wmatyourdoor.com.