Your DeKalb Trash Day — Easy to Follow in 2026
If you live in DeKalb, Illinois, the biggest mistake is assuming every waste service works the same way. Regular garbage, recycling, and yard waste are weekly, electronic waste is monthly by request, bulk items have a separate limit, and holiday weeks can shift service one day later. This guide keeps the DeKalb trash pickup schedule garbage collection details simple and useful.
📑 What’s in this guide
The City of DeKalb uses LRS as its exclusive waste-collection provider for homes receiving weekly curbside and alley service. The city says garbage, recyclables, and yard waste are collected on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday routes, depending on your address.
At curb or alley
How to Find Your DeKalb Trash Pickup Day
DeKalb’s official city refuse page shows that regular collection runs on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The city also links residents to the LRS DeKalb program page for route details, pickup timing, and service questions.
- Open the city refuse page. Start with Refuse, Recycling & Yard Waste.
- Use the collection map. The city page links to the route map for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday service areas.
- Confirm curb or alley service. LRS serves both curbside and alley collection in DeKalb.
- Check your material type. Garbage, recycling, and yard waste all use the same weekly pickup day during yard-waste season.
- Call LRS for route questions. Use 844-633-3577 or email DeKalb@LRSrecycles.com.
DeKalb Garbage, Recycling, and Yard Waste Schedule
DeKalb’s collection pattern is straightforward once you split the services correctly. Garbage and recycling are weekly all year, yard waste runs weekly during the seasonal window, and electronic waste uses a separate monthly request-based calendar.
| Service | How It Works | Typical Timing | Where to Confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garbage | LRS cart first, plus approved overflow containers if needed | Weekly on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday | City page / LRS program |
| Recycling | LRS recycle cart first, plus approved overflow containers if needed | Weekly on your normal collection day | City page / LRS program |
| Yard Waste | Paper bags, marked cans, or rental yard-waste cart | Weekly from April 1 through November 30 | LRS program / City notices |
| Bulk Items | One free bulk item weekly, more for added fee | Weekly on collection day | LRS program / city FAQ |
| E-Waste | Special request required | First full week of each month | City page / LRS program |
The city’s 2026 yard-waste notice says curbside landscape-waste collection resumes April 1. The city-linked LRS program page says yard-waste and accepted food-scrap collection runs weekly from April 1 through November 30.
DeKalb Trash Carts, Recycle Carts, and Yard Waste Setup
DeKalb uses a city-contracted LRS cart system, but residents may also use certain overflow containers if they follow the size and weight limits.
Garbage Cart
Recycle Cart
Yard Waste
Bulk / E-Waste
LRS says resident-owned overflow containers may not exceed 35 gallons and 50 pounds when full, and they must have two handles. For yard waste, brush must be cut to 4-foot lengths and bundled with twine, not wire or plastic rope, and must not exceed 50 pounds.
⭐ Easy DeKalb shortcut
If a material is not inside the LRS cart, make sure it still fits an approved overflow rule. That matters for extra garbage, extra recycling, and yard waste, because the city and LRS both use size and weight limits instead of unlimited loose piles.
DeKalb Set-Out Rules
Most missed collections happen because items were not ready early enough or were set out in containers that do not meet the program rules.
- All items need to be at the curb or alley by 6:00 a.m.
- Use the LRS cart first. The city says the LRS-issued cart should be used before placing materials into a non-LRS container.
- Keep overflow containers under the limits. Resident-owned containers may not exceed 35 gallons and 50 pounds when full.
- Yard-waste bags must be biodegradable. The program specifically says no plastic bags or boxes.
- Bundle brush correctly. Brush bundles must be tied and no larger than 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 50 pounds.
DeKalb Bulk Items, E-Waste, and Special Pickups
DeKalb separates large household items from normal weekly cart pickup. The city FAQ and the city-linked LRS program page explain the rules clearly.
Regular bulk-item rules:
- Up to one bulk item per week is collected for no charge under the LRS program page
- The city FAQ also says up to two large items per week will be collected on collection day
- Items over 50 pounds may require a special pickup
- Additional bulk items can be collected for $25 per item prepaid
E-waste rules:
- Requests are required
- E-waste is collected once a month on the first full week of the month
- Requests must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance
- E-waste must be placed at the curb by 6 a.m.
- Decide if the item is bulk, e-waste, or special pickup.
- Use weekly bulk for eligible large household items.
- Prepay extra bulk items if needed. LRS says additional bulk items are $25 each.
- Wrap mattresses and box springs in plastic. LRS requires each mattress or box spring to be fully enclosed in plastic mattress wrap.
- Request e-waste at least 48 hours ahead. The city page says requests are required in advance for the monthly e-waste pickup week.
⭐ Best way to avoid fees
If you have one large item, try to use the included weekly bulk allowance first. Save special-pickup requests and extra-item fees for heavier or more complicated items that exceed the standard curbside rules.
DeKalb 2026 Holiday Delays
The City of DeKalb’s refuse page says the following holidays delay collection by one day. For 2026 planning, these are the dates to watch most closely.
| Holiday Listed by City | Effect on Collection |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | One-day collection delay |
| Memorial Day | One-day collection delay |
| Independence Day | One-day collection delay |
| Labor Day | One-day collection delay |
| Thanksgiving Day | One-day collection delay |
| Christmas Day | One-day collection delay |
Because DeKalb collection days run Wednesday through Friday, it is smart to re-check the city page or contact LRS before a holiday week, especially around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
What to Do If DeKalb Missed Your Pickup
The city says LRS handles missed pickup and other service-related questions directly. That includes missed curbside or alley pickup, service complaints, extra-cart rental, and special service requests.
- Check your route day first. Make sure your address is actually on the Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday route you expected.
- Confirm the 6 a.m. deadline. Items that were not out by 6 a.m. may not qualify as missed service.
- Review the holiday list. Collection can shift one day later on the city-listed holidays.
- Call LRS customer service. Use 844-633-3577 for missed pickup and service questions.
- Email if needed. Contact DeKalb@LRSrecycles.com or Service@LRSRecycles.com for help.
DeKalb Extra Disposal and Seasonal Options
DeKalb’s program also includes several useful extra services beyond standard weekly trash and recycling.
Household Hazardous Waste Home Collection
LRS provides household hazardous-waste home collection from April through October by request.
Monthly E-Waste Pickup
E-waste is collected once a month during the first full week, with advance registration required.
2026 Yard Waste Notice
City reminder that curbside yard-waste pickup resumes April 1, 2026, with bag, can, and bundle rules.
Loose Leaf Collection
The city says leaf collection usually begins at the end of October and continues through the first week of December, weather permitting.
Frequently Asked Questions About DeKalb Trash Pickup
What days does DeKalb collect garbage?
DeKalb garbage collection runs on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday routes, depending on your address.
What time should I put out trash and recycling in DeKalb?
All items should be placed at the curb or alley by 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
How often is recycling collected in DeKalb?
Recycling is collected weekly on your normal collection day.
When does DeKalb yard-waste pickup run in 2026?
The city’s 2026 notice says curbside yard-waste pickup resumes April 1, and the LRS program says weekly yard-waste service runs from April 1 through November 30.
Can I use my own containers for extra trash or recycling?
Yes, but resident-owned containers may not exceed 35 gallons or 50 pounds when full, and they must have two handles.
Does DeKalb pick up large items?
Yes. The city FAQ says up to two large items per week will be collected on collection day, while the LRS program page says one bulk item per week is included and extra items can be prepaid.
How much does an extra bulk item cost?
LRS says additional bulk items may be collected for $25 per item prepaid.
Does DeKalb collect electronic waste?
Yes. E-waste is collected once a month on the first full week of the month, but you must request pickup at least 48 hours in advance.
Which holidays delay DeKalb collection?
The city page lists New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day as one-day-delay holidays.
Who do I call for a missed DeKalb pickup?
Call LRS at 844-633-3577 or email DeKalb@LRSrecycles.com.
Official DeKalb Trash Collection Resources
Refuse, Recycling & Yard Waste
Main City of DeKalb page for weekly service, holiday delays, and customer-service contacts.
LRS DeKalb Program
Detailed rules for garbage, recycling, yard waste, bulk items, e-waste, and container limits.
2026 Yard Waste Pickup Notice
City reminder that curbside yard-waste service resumes April 1 with official prep rules.
City FAQ: Large Items & Leaves
Official city answers for large-item pickup and seasonal loose-leaf collection.
LRS Customer Service
Call 844-633-3577 for missed pickup, special pickup, cart changes, and service questions.
DeKalb Public Works
Call 815-748-2040 for city-side questions such as yard-waste or street-operations issues.
Bottom line: To stay accurate in DeKalb, confirm your Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday route first, put everything out by 6 a.m., and treat yard waste, bulk items, and e-waste as separate programs instead of assuming they follow the same weekly rule.