Since 1967, the Village has contracted out all residential refuse and recycling collections. Currently, residential collections are handled by Veolia Environmental Services (ES), formerly Onyx Waste Systems, with a regional office located in Northbrook , Illinois . The regional office can be contacted directly at (847) 251-8759. Questions or concerns may be directed to the Assistant to the Director of Public Works at (847) 853-7626. All residences automatically receive refuse collection once weekly. Residents have the option of choosing a second refuse collection each week at their own expense. If a second collection is desired, residents should contact Veolia ES directly for this service.
Veolia ES will also collect appliances such as washers, dryers, microwaves, air conditioners, and refrigerators. While there is no direct charge for this service, residents must contact Veolia in order to schedule a pickup. Collection of these items is on Wednesdays. Residents can call to schedule an appointment to have Veolia collect bulky items such as couches, chairs, tables, mattresses, etc. at no charge. Simply place these items out for collection on your normal refuse collection date. If you have alley service, please place the items in the alley. If you have "side-door" collection, place the bulky items at the curb. Unusually large volumes of debris (over one cubic yard) from home remodeling, bricks, sod or concrete require a special pickup. Veolia must be contacted directly, and there is a charge for this service.
Note: No collections will be made on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Collections scheduled to occur on these days and those immediately following them will be made one day later than usual.
Winter Placement of Refuse Containers and Recycling Bins
Winter weather and road conditions can affect your refuse service. Depending on the severity of the weather and road conditions, refuse collection may be delayed.
To help expedite refuse collection during the winter months, please make sure your refuse containers and recycling bins are not frozen or buried in snow. Unfortunately, refuse containers and recycling bins stuck in snow or ice are hard to move and can injure the workers that are trying to empty them. Also, make sure there is a clear path through the snow to the containers and bins. The Village’s refuse hauler will not collect refuse or recycling that cannot be moved freely or is inaccessible. For further information, please contact the Public Works Department at 847-853-7500.
Residents will receive recycling collection once per week, on the same day their refuse collection is scheduled. Recycling bins should be packed properly. All paper fiber materials (newspaper, magazines, mixed papers, etc.) should either be placed in its own bin, bundled with twine, or placed in a paper bag.
It should not be placed in a plastic bag. All glass, plastic and metal containers should be placed in the same recycling bin. Soiled fiber materials such as used paper towels, plates or pizza boxes should not be included for recycling. Additionally, all caps and lids from containers or cans should be removed and discarded.
The following materials are acceptable for recycling:
- Newspapers and inserts
- Mixed paper and junk mail
- Magazines, catalogs and telephone books
- Corrugated cardboard (no larger than 2' x 2')
- Aluminum and tin cans, rinsed clean
- Steel cans and containers
- Aerosol cans (empty)
- Glass bottles and jars, rinsed clean
- Aseptic packaging (juice boxes)
- Gable top containers (milk & juice cartons)
- Old car batteries (not cracked or leaking)
- Used motor oil (placed in a clear plastic jug)
- Plastics #1 through #5 and #7
- Plastic packaging (6 and 12 pack rings)
No plastic bags will be accepted for recycling.
Yard Waste Collection Begins April 2nd
The yard waste season pick-up is scheduled to run from Monday, April 2nd through Tuesday, November 27th (start date is subject to change depending on weather conditions). Residences west of Ridge Road receive collections on Mondays, while those located east of Ridge Road receive collections on Tuesdays.
95-Gallon Container Available for Disposal of Yard Waste
Residents now have the option of renting a 95-gallon container from the Village's refuse contractor, Veolia Environmental Services, to be used for the storage and collection of yard waste material. The annual rental fee for a 95-gallon container is $21. Interested residents should call Veolia at 847-251-8759 to order the container.
Three yard waste stickers must be attached before the contractor will empty the container. The contractor will remove the three stickers from the container after it has been emptied. Yard waste stickers are available for purchase ($2.25 each) at the Village Hall.
Residents can still purchase generic, biodegradable yard waste bags (30-gallon) from hardware and grocery stores and affix one sticker to the exterior of the bags. Once the sticker has been applied, the bag may be set out for collection.
The stickers may be used to mark bundles of brush or branches for collection. The bundles must be less than four feet in length, contain branches no more than three inches in diameter, wrapped with biodegradable cotton or cloth twine (no wire or nylon ties), and manageable by one person (approximately 40 lbs or less).
For more information on the Yard Waste program or renting a 95-gallon container, please contact the Public Works Department at 847-853-7626 or pubworks@wilmette.com.
Wilmette Public Works