Chicago Yard Waste Pickup 2026: Schedule, Rules & What You Can (and Can't) Compost
Chicago Yard Waste Pickup 2026: Schedule, Rules & Composting Tips
Before you start your spring cleanup, here's what you need to know about Chicago's free yard waste program so your debris actually gets picked up.
How It Works
Chicago offers free bagged yard waste collection seasonally, from April 1 through the end of November. It does not run on a fixed route: residents call 311 to request a separate yard waste collection, and the Department of Streets and Sanitation sends a dedicated truck to collect the bags and take them to be composted. Bag your yard waste separately from the black garbage cart and the blue recycling cart, and leave it in the alley or at the curb.
What's Accepted (and What's Not)
Accepted: Leaves, grass clippings, branches, brush, clippings from shrubbery, and garden waste.
Not accepted: Dirt, sod, rocks, gravel, tree stumps, lumber, plastic pots, and food waste.
How to Prepare Your Waste
Bags: Both paper and plastic bags are accepted. Paper is preferred because it can be composted along with the yard waste; if you use plastic, choose a clear or translucent bag so crews can see the contents and do not mistake it for garbage.
Branches: Place branches and sticks that don't fit inside a bag next to your cart.
Seasonal Tips
Spring: Spread large cleanups across several 311 requests rather than putting everything out at once. Rent a chipper for oversized branches.
Summer: Consider grasscycling (leaving clippings on the lawn) to reduce volume and return nutrients to your soil.
Fall: Rake frequently rather than waiting for all leaves to drop, and place a 311 request each time you have bags ready. The season runs to the end of November.
Common Mistakes That Get Your Pickup Skipped
Not calling 311 — no request means no yard waste truck is sent to your address
Mixing yard waste in with the black garbage cart or the blue recycling cart instead of bagging it separately
Using an opaque plastic bag that crews mistake for garbage
Including prohibited materials like dirt, rocks, or gravel
Composting at Home
You can reduce curbside volume with basic backyard composting. Alternate "green" materials (grass, kitchen scraps) with "brown" materials (leaves, twigs), keep the pile moist, and turn it every few weeks. You'll have usable compost in 3-6 months.
Grasscycling is even simpler: just leave clippings on your lawn. It reduces fertilizer needs by up to 25% and does not cause thatch buildup when mowing regularly.
When City Pickup Isn't Enough
The city program won't cover large-scale tree removal, oversized branches, sod/dirt, or time-sensitive cleanups. Your options include facility drop-offs, landscaper removal, dumpster rentals (permit required for street placement), or private waste services.
At GreenWay we offer on-demand yard waste removal across the Chicago area with no size or volume restrictions, same-week availability, and proper composting disposal for both residential and commercial customers.
Contact us for a free quote to schedule your pickup.