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What Day Is Trash Pickup in Chicago, IL?

Updated November 2026

Quick Answer for Chicago

  • Trash day: Wednesdays, collected by Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation
  • Recycling: biweekly on Wednesdays — no plastic bags, no styrofoam
  • Next holiday delay: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026)
  • Bulk pickup: call 311 — free, no limit

Trash pickup in Chicago is weekly on Wednesdays. Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation collects trash, recycling (biweekly on Wednesdays), and yard waste (weekly). Bins out by 6:30 AM.

Quick Facts

Trash Provider

Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation

Municipal service

Contact

311

Official website

Trash Pickup

Wednesdays (weekly)

Set out by 6:30 AM

Recycling Pickup

Wednesdays (biweekly)

14 materials accepted

Pickup Schedule

Trash Collection

Once per week

Wednesdays

Recycling Collection

Every other week

Wednesdays

Yard Waste

weekly

Mondays

Schedules vary by neighborhood. Check with Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation for your exact pickup day.

Recycling Rules

Chicago accepts 14 materials for curbside recycling. No plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items.

Accepted

  • Cardboard (flattened)
  • Newspaper
  • Magazines & catalogs
  • Office paper & mail
  • Glass bottles & jars
  • Aluminum cans

NOT Accepted

  • Plastic bags & film
  • Styrofoam (EPS)
  • Paper coffee cups
  • Shredded paper
  • Batteries (household alkaline)
  • Electronics (e-waste)
Recycling rules for Chicago

Bulk Pickup

How to Schedule

Call 311 or hauler

Free Pickups Per Year

Unlimited (free)

Free — call 311 or use CHI311 app

Bulk pickup details for Chicago

Holiday Pickup Schedule

Federal holidays delay trash pickup in Chicago by one day. Next: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026).

New Year's DayJanuary 1, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. DayJanuary 19, 2026
Presidents' DayFebruary 16, 2026
Memorial DayMay 25, 2026
JuneteenthJune 19, 2026
Holiday schedule for Chicago

Composting in Chicago

AvailableCurbside pickup

Chicago offers curbside composting for organic waste. Check your hauler for green bin availability.

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash in Chicago.15 drop-off locations for household hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste drop-off in Chicago

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is trash pickup in Chicago?
Trash pickup in Chicago, IL is weekly on Wednesdays. Set out your bins by 6:30 AM. Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation handles residential waste collection. Recycling is collected biweekly on Wednesdays.
Can I recycle pizza boxes in Chicago?
Yes — Clean portions are recyclable. Greasy sections can go in compost where available, otherwise trash. Many programs now accept the whole box. In Chicago, pizza boxes are accepted in curbside recycling.
How do I schedule bulk pickup in Chicago?
To schedule bulk pickup in Chicago, call 311 or your hauler. Free — call 311 or use CHI311 app
Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in Chicago?
Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) affects trash pickup in Chicago. Pickup on this day and the rest of the week delayed by one day. Check with Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation for your specific route. Most federal holidays delay pickup by one day for the rest of the week.
What goes in the recycling bin in Chicago?
Chicago accepts 14 types of materials for curbside recycling, including cardboard, paper, glass bottles (check locally), aluminum and steel cans, and plastic #1, #2, and #5 containers. Do NOT put plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items in recycling. Rinse all containers before placing them in the bin.
Does Chicago have composting?
Yes, Chicago offers composting. Curbside composting is available — use your green bin for food scraps, yard waste, and food-soiled paper.
What do I do if they missed my trash pickup in Chicago?
If your trash was missed in Chicago, first confirm it was your scheduled pickup day and that bins were out by 6:30 AM. Then call Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation at 311 (or your hauler's direct line) to report the miss. Most cities require you to report within 24 hours. Keep your bins at the curb until the makeup collection, which is typically within 1-2 business days.
Where do I take hazardous waste in Chicago?
Chicago has approximately 14 household hazardous waste drop-off locations. Items like paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash. Auto parts stores accept motor oil for free. Best Buy and Staples accept electronics. For everything else, use your city's HHW collection events or permanent facility.

Related Pages

Recycling Guide

What goes in the recycling bin in Chicago

Bulk Pickup

Schedule large item pickup

Holiday Schedule

When holidays delay pickup

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics disposal

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Pickup schedules and rules are based on published municipal data. Schedules vary by neighborhood and route. Always confirm with Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation for your specific address. This page is for informational purposes only.