Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Zion
Trash Day
Trash is collected once a week, Monday through Friday, depending on your assigned neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected every other week on your regular trash collection day.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected weekly on your regular collection day from April 1 through November 30.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day (carts may be set out after 5:00 PM the evening prior).
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste and recycling services are billed quarterly in advance directly on your City of Zion water and sewer bill.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (Checking/Savings), Phone, Mail, Drop Box, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Waste Management provides free carry-out service for physically disabled residents living alone who cannot bring carts to the curb.
City-approved 95-gallon cart Bin (Trash)
Must be placed at the curb by 5:00 A.M. on collection day. Carts must have tight-fitting covers and be constructed of rodent-proof material.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Small broken household items
City-issued recycling bin or cart Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected on the same day as trash by 5:00 A.M. Do not bag recyclables in plastic. Paper products should be placed in paper bags or at the bottom of the bin to prevent blowing.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and paperboard
- ✓Flattened cardboard (cut to 2'x2')
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Paper that has come into contact with food
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Use kraft paper bags or a 32-gallon plastic/metal can clearly marked 'Yard Waste' with drainage holes punched in the sides and bottom. Branches must be tied with biodegradable string (max 4 ft long, 18 in diameter, 50 lbs).
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Weeds and garden plants
- ✓Tree branches and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly alongside regular refuse
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb by 5:00 A.M. Do not put out an excessive amount at once; items must be of reasonable height and weight for one person to lift.
Accepted
- ✓ Discarded furniture (chairs, small tables, couches)
- ✓ Rolled and tied carpeting (max 4 ft length, max 50 lbs)
- ✓ Small amounts of DIY domestic debris (homeowner only)
- ✓ Mattresses
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor-generated construction debris
- ✕ Electronics and televisions
- ✕ Hazardous household waste
- ✕ White goods/appliances (requires separate scheduled pickup)
Standard furniture is free. Appliances (white goods) require scheduling with WM and a fee of $45 (Freon) or $25 (Non-Freon). Massive City Clean-Ups for large debris cost $500 per 5-cubic-yard load.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on or before your regularly scheduled collection day, services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that holiday week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule during the active April-November collection season.
If the holiday falls on a weekend, collection schedules generally remain unaffected. Always verify delays with Waste Management at 847-623-3870.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring to Fall
April 1 - November 30Curbside collection for landscape and yard waste officially operates from April 1 to November 30. Grass clippings, leaves, and bundled brush are collected on your regular garbage day during these months.
Winter
December 26 - January 20The City of Zion provides a special collection period for natural Christmas trees from December 26 through January 20. Ensure all tinsel, ornaments, and plastic bags are removed before setting the tree at the curb.
Autumn
October - NovemberDuring peak leaf-fall, it is strictly prohibited to rake or blow yard waste into the street. Loose leaves clog Zion's storm drains and cause localized street flooding. All leaves must be bagged or canned.
Local Tips & Community Info
Zion Residential Waste Collection Overview
In the City of Zion, residential solid waste, recycling, and yard debris collection services are fully contracted out to Waste Management (WM). While Waste Management handles the physical hauling of your garbage, the city government manages the administrative side. Therefore, all residents must contact City Hall to establish their waste removal service, which will be billed quarterly alongside water and sewer charges. To ensure a successful pickup, households are required to use durable, rodent-proof 95-gallon refuse carts. Carts should be brought to the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your designated service day, especially during the summer heat when routes may begin earlier.
Curbside Recycling Guidelines
Environmental sustainability is strongly encouraged throughout the community. Recycling is collected on the same day as your regular trash, but recycling bins must be placed at the curb slightly earlier, by 5:00 a.m. Zion residents should be mindful of contamination rules. All jars, cans, and bottles must be thoroughly rinsed. Cardboard boxes must be flattened to pieces no larger than two feet by two feet. Most importantly, do not place your recyclable items in plastic grocery bags, as they jam the sorting facilities. Extra recycling bins can be purchased at City Hall for a nominal $10 fee.
Seasonal Yard Waste Requirements
From approximately the first week of April through the first week of December, Waste Management provides weekly yard waste collection for Zion properties. Homeowners tending to their lawns must place grass clippings, leaves, and twigs in biodegradable Kraft paper bags or in 30-gallon metal or plastic trash cans with drainage holes punched in the bottom. If you use a reusable can, it must be clearly marked with a 'Yard Waste' sticker, which is readily available at City Hall.
Disposing of Bulky Furniture and Carpeting
Getting rid of old furniture like couches, chairs, or mattresses does not necessarily require a special pickup in Zion. Bulky waste is included in your standard refuse service, provided it is manageable. The city advises putting out large items gradually—one or two pieces per week—so the single-driver garbage trucks can handle the load safely. If you are tearing up old floors, any discarded carpeting must be tightly rolled and secured into bundles that are no longer than four feet and weigh no more than 50 pounds.
Handling White Goods and Heavy Appliances
Large appliances, commonly referred to as white goods, are strictly prohibited from entering standard landfills. This includes items like refrigerators, water heaters, humidifiers, ranges, and air conditioners. To dispose of these, Zion residents must call Waste Management directly at 847-623-3870 to schedule a targeted collection. There is an associated fee of $45 for units containing Freon refrigerants and $25 for non-Freon appliances. For safety reasons, all doors must be completely removed from the appliances before placing them at the curb.
City Clean-Up Service for Massive Debris
For extensive home renovations or severe property cleanouts where standard bulk pickup is insufficient, the municipality offers a specialized 'City Clean-Up' program. If you have a massive pile of debris, the City of Zion can dispatch a crew to haul it away. However, this premium service requires prepayment at City Hall and costs a minimum of $500.00 per 5-cubic-yard load. If left unpaid, the charges can be attached as a lien against the property.
Holiday Delays and Schedule Adjustments
Waste Management observes standard major national holidays, such as New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If one of these holidays lands on a weekday on or before your usual trash day, the entire collection schedule will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. Normal schedules resume the following Monday.
Drop-off Facilities
SWALCO (Solid Waste Agency of Lake County) Drop-off Events
Varies (Check SWALCO.org for upcoming Lake County event locations)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up garbage service in Zion?
To begin your garbage service, you must contact Zion City Hall to arrange for billing and to request your 95-gallon refuse container. Your trash service fees will be included in your quarterly municipal utility bill.
Who do I call if my trash wasn't picked up?
If you experience a missed collection or need to request a repair for a broken bin lid or wheel, you should contact the hauler, Waste Management, directly at 847-623-3870.
Can I throw away car tires with my regular trash?
No, tires are not accepted in regular curbside collection. Illinois law mandates that tire retailers accept used tires for recycling. The city also occasionally hosts an annual electronics and tire drop-off event during the summer.