Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Woodridge
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.
Groot Issued Toter (35, 65, or 95 gallons) Bin (Trash)
Place all garbage inside your designated Groot toter. Under the unlimited plan, any excess refuse that does not fit inside the cart may be placed next to it in bags or cans without needing a sticker.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small non-hazardous household items
Groot Issued Toter (65 gallons) Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loosely in the 65-gallon cart. Do not bag recyclables in plastic garbage bags. Ensure all containers are rinsed clean before disposal.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Newspaper, mail, and office paper
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Rigid plastic containers and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Electronic waste
- ✕Food residue
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
Yard Waste Bin
Place yard waste in biodegradable 30-gallon Kraft paper bags (max 50 lbs) or bundled with string (max 4 ft long and 2 ft diameter). Collection is unlimited and no longer requires stickers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches and brush
- ✓Garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One item per week
Placement
Place your single bulk item at the curb next to your Groot toter on your regular collection day. Items must weigh under 50 pounds and be manageable by one driver.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Small household furniture
- ✓ Carpeting (tied in rolls max 4 ft long and 2 ft wide)
Not Accepted
- ✕ White goods (refrigerators, stoves, washers)
- ✕ Electronics
- ✕ Large amounts of construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste
Large appliances (white goods) are not free bulk items and require a $45 prepaid fee and 48-hour advance notice. Extra construction debris also requires a special pickup fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday on or before your scheduled collection day, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Unlimited yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular garbage and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the weekly Monday through Friday collection schedule is generally unaffected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out
Never place your recyclables inside a plastic garbage bag or toss loose grocery bags into your Groot recycling cart. Plastic films jam the sorting gears at the recycling facility and should be taken to a local grocery store for recycling.
Don't Mix Yard Waste During Leaf Season
During the Village's free six-week leaf collection starting in November, leaf bags must contain exclusively leaves. Groot drivers will reject paper bags that contain comingled landscape waste, such as sod, brush, or grass clippings.
Schedule Electronics Separately
Do not hide old electronics like laptops, DVD players, or microwaves in your garbage toter. It is illegal to landfill e-waste in Illinois, and you must call Groot directly to schedule and pay for a specialized curbside pickup.
Seasonal Information
Fall
OctoberThe Village hosts its annual Clean-Up Week (Amnesty Day) during the first full week of October. Residents can place an unlimited amount of bulk household junk at the curb for free removal on their regular collection day.
Fall
November - DecemberWoodridge offers six weeks of free bagged leaf collection beginning on November 1st. Ensure your 30-gallon Kraft bags contain only leaves to guarantee pickup.
Year-Round
January - DecemberSeniors aged 65 and older qualify for a 15% discount on their waste bill. Residents must verify their age directly with Groot by emailing or mailing a copy of their photo ID to the company.
About Woodridge Waste Management
New Unlimited Flat-Rate Waste Program
As of September 2024, the Village of Woodridge entered a new five-year contract with Groot Industries, eliminating the old sticker-based system for general refuse and yard waste. Under this modernized program, residents enjoy unlimited flat-rate collection of garbage, recycling, and landscape debris. Homeowners receive a standardized 65-gallon recycling cart alongside their choice of a 35, 65, or 95-gallon refuse toter. Any household garbage that does not fit inside the primary toter will be collected at no extra charge, provided it is properly containerized.
Annual October Amnesty Clean-Up Week
To help residents declutter, Woodridge and Groot host a highly anticipated Clean-Up Week—also known as Amnesty Day—during the first full week of October on your normal service day. During this event, single-family homes can set out an unlimited amount of acceptable bulk items, furniture, carpeting, and general junk for free removal. Remember that standard restrictions still apply; building materials, railroad ties, tires, and electronic waste are prohibited from this clean-up initiative.
Curbside E-Waste and Appliance Removal
Illinois law strictly prohibits the disposal of electronic waste and large appliances (white goods) in standard landfills. Fortunately, Groot provides convenient curbside collection for these difficult items in Woodridge. Residents must contact Groot at least 48 hours in advance to schedule the pickup. Disposing of white goods, such as refrigerators and washing machines, incurs a $45 flat fee, while electronics like televisions and computers require prepayment depending on the item's size and weight.
Unlimited Yard Waste and Fall Leaf Collection
Maintaining your lawn is easier than ever with Woodridge's unlimited yard waste collection. Residents can set out an unlimited number of biodegradable Kraft paper bags or properly tied brush bundles (under four feet in length and 50 pounds) without needing prepaid stickers. Furthermore, the Village provides six weeks of dedicated, free leaf collection beginning November 1st. During this time, bags must contain exclusively leaves, as comingled yard debris like grass or sod will be rejected.
Direct Senior Discount Registration
The Village of Woodridge offers a generous 15% discount on monthly refuse rates for seniors aged 65 and older. However, the Village no longer manages this registration internally. Eligible residents must apply directly with Groot Industries by emailing their photo ID to customer service, mailing a request to Groot's McCook office, or applying in person. Once verified, the discount is automatically applied to your quarterly unlimited service bill.
Drop-off Facilities
Household Hazardous Waste Facility
156 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville, IL 60540
Materials Accepted
DuPage County Veteran's Assistance Commission
421 North County Farm Road, 1st Floor, Wheaton, IL 60187
Materials Accepted
Groot Industries Regional Office
8475 W. 53rd Street, McCook, IL 60525
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Woodridge still use the garbage sticker program?
No. As of September 1, 2024, the Village of Woodridge transitioned to a new unlimited flat-rate program with Groot. Stickers are no longer required for extra garbage bags or standard yard waste.
How do I get the senior garbage discount in Woodridge?
Seniors aged 65 and older qualify for a 15% discount, but the Village no longer handles registration. You must register directly with Groot by emailing ([email protected]), mailing, or presenting a copy of your photo ID to their McCook, IL office.
When is the Woodridge Amnesty Clean-Up Day?
Clean-Up Week, also known as Amnesty Day, occurs during the first full week of October on your normal collection day. Single-family residents can place an unlimited amount of acceptable bulk items, furniture, and junk at the curb for free.
How do I throw away an old refrigerator or TV?
Large appliances (white goods) and electronics (e-waste) are banned from landfills and will not be collected as standard bulk items. You must call Groot at 888-485-0900 at least 48 hours in advance to schedule a special curbside pickup. Appliances cost a $45 flat fee, and electronics incur varying fees based on size.