Chicago Trash & Recycling Pickup Schedule (2025)
Complete guide for Chicago, IL: weekly trash pickup, Blue Cart recycling, yard waste, bulky items, holiday changes, HHW (HCCRF), and how to report missed collection.
Trash
Weekly (Mon–Fri) by grid/route. City crews service SF homes & 2–4 flats; set carts night before; lids closed; 3–5 ft clearance.
Recycling (Blue Cart)
Service varies by provider/zone; use the **2025 Blue Cart map/schedule** and address lookup to confirm your week/day.
Bulky Items
Large items (furniture, appliances, mattresses) can be handled via 311/ward for special pick-up; remove doors from fridges/freezers.
📍 Address Lookup (Official / Partner)
Check your exact trash/recycling schedule by address and see provider/zone:
View Your Schedule (Recycle By City)
Open CHI311 Portal
🗓️ Weekly Pickup & Set-out Rules
- Trash: weekly Mon–Fri on the city’s grid routes.
- Blue Cart Recycling: follow your zone map/schedule; some areas are serviced by DSS, others by LRS (holiday schedules can differ).
- Set-out: place carts the night before or early morning; lids closed; handles toward building; keep clearances from cars/obstacles.
- Overflow/contamination: materials outside carts or wrong items may be tagged/skipped.
- Weather/alerts: holidays/snow can shift service; check CHI311 updates.
- Help: DSS main line 312-744-4611.
♻️ Blue Cart Recycling — Accepted & Not Accepted
Accepted (Blue Cart)
- Paper & cardboard (flatten)
- Glass bottles & jars
- Metal cans (aluminum/steel)
- Rigid plastics (#1–#7), no film/bags
Not Accepted
- Plastic bags/film, foam (polystyrene)
- Batteries, electronics, cords
- Food waste (use yard/organics options)
- Household hazardous waste (take to HCCRF)
Open 2025 Blue Cart Schedule (PDF)
Blue Cart Guide (Recycle By City)
🛋️ Bulky Items
- For oversized items (furniture, large appliances, mattresses), **arrange with your DSS ward superintendent** or call **311/CHI311** for assistance. **Remove doors** from refrigerators/freezers.
- Recycle By City also indicates free bulky pick-up via 311 for DSS-serviced residences. Verify for your address.
- Electronics/TVs are **not** collected as bulky — take to HCCRF or retail take-back.
🍃 Yard Waste / Organics
- Yard waste collection (seasonal): typically **Apr 1 – Nov 30**. Bag leaves/grass in paper yard bags and request pickup via 311.
- Food scrap drop-off: city program with multiple drop-off sites across Chicago — register and bring acceptable food scraps in sealed containers.
⚠️ Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) — HCCRF
Take paints, chemicals, oils, batteries and e-waste to the **Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility (HCCRF)**, free for residents. Location: 1150 N North Branch St.
- Hours (typical): Tue 7:00 am–12:00 pm; Thu 2:00–7:00 pm; 1st Sat 8:00 am–3:00 pm — check site for updates.
🏗️ Drop-off Sites (HHW & Events)
| Site | Address | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HCCRF | 1150 N North Branch St, Chicago, IL | Tue/Thu + 1st Sat (see page) | HHW + electronics (free) |
🎉 Holiday Schedule
- City holiday service can shift; DSS notes **no trash service** citywide on specified holidays and Blue Cart differences by zones (e.g., Zones 2 & 4).
🚚 Missed Pickup — What to Do
- Confirm carts were set out on time, lids closed, and not obstructed.
- Check CHI311 for route delays/alerts.
- If still missed, file a **Missed garbage pickup** request via CHI311 (web/app) or call **311**.
💲 Cart Sizes & Monthly Fees
| Cart | Size (gal) | Monthly Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trash (residential) | Varies | $9.50 / unit | City refuse collection fee (per dwelling unit where applicable). |
| Blue Cart Recycling | Varies | $0 | Included for DSS-serviced residences. |
| Yard Waste | Paper bags | $0 | Request pickup via 311 (seasonal). |
🏢 Apartments / Multi-family
City crews service **single-family to 4-unit** buildings. Larger multi-family and commercial properties use private haulers; check with management for schedules and bulky procedures.
📞 Contacts & 311
- DSS (Streets & Sanitation): 312-744-4611 (main).
- CHI311: Request/track online & mobile app (24/7).
- Sanitation services hub: DSS Sanitation page.
🔗 Data Sources