Refuse Collection

The Village has a franchise agreement with the hauler, LRS. Commercial accounts, including residential rentals should set up service directly with LRS at 773/685-6043. All roll-off and dumpsters must also be contracted through LRS.

Why does the Village have a franchise agreement that contracts commercial service to one hauler?

• Economies of scale – efficiencies are gained by contracting with one hauler, which almost always reduces cost
• It allows the Village to have better quality control over hauling services/li>
• It reduces damage to streets and alleys/li>
• It reduces miles traveled, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions

• Visit Skokie’s recycling guidelines to ensure that you are recycling properly. If you are recycling properly and folding down cardboard boxes to maximize space, but still need more room, please submit an online service request (preferred) or call Public Works at 847/933-8427 to request an upgrade for a larger recycling toter.
• Start composting food scraps. Food scraps make up about 25% of the average household waste and release methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas when landfilled. The Village offers free food scrap compost drop of sites, a subscription curbside service, and a rebate on backyard compost bins.
• Recycle or repurpose your textiles. Schedule a pickup with the Village’s textile recycling partner, Simple Recycling. Textiles must be clean, but holes, frays, and missing socks are all OK. Visit the website for a full list of accepted textiles and other items.
• Subscribe to SkokiEnews for information on special events and recycling collections such as Spring Greening, holiday lights collection, and more.
• Check out SWANCC’s extensive Reuse and Recycle map-based directory to learn how to properly dispose of many other items.

Residents may submit an online service request (preferred) or call Public Works at 847/933-8427 after July 1, 2023. There is a 60-day waiting period for households to adjust to the new service. 

A major goal regarding the change to once-weekly refuse service is to reduce landfill waste. A staff member will inspect a household’s recycling and refuse toters to ensure that the household is recycling properly, reasonably folding down boxes or other items, and is educated on the Village’s food compost programs. Residents who are recycling properly but do not have enough toter capacity will be upgraded to a free, larger 96-gallon recycling toter.

• Yard waste or grass clippings
• Household Hazardous Waste such as oil-based paint and paint thinner, aerosol paint, pesticides, mercury, gasoline and other vehicle fluids, fluorescent light bulbs, medications, and lithium and rechargeable batteries
• Latex paint in liquid form 
  Add kitty litter to dry paint into a solid before disposal.
• Construction debris 
  Residents are allowed to place one or two heavy duty contractor bags or up to one cubic yard of debris out for collection for a few consecutive weeks for very small homeowner projects. Nails must be removed or pounded flat. Material from any contractor project or larger homeowner projects is not allowed in Skokie’s weekly collection. Residents are allowed to bring construction debris and other landfill waste to the SWANCC transfer station for a reasonable fee. If the construction debris is excessive or continues for more than a few weeks, staff will require proper disposal.
• Electronics
  it is against the law to landfill electronics such as televisions, computers, printers, and more. Skokie residents can drop off electronics at the SWANCC Glenview Transfer station free of charge. Many commercial retailers such as Best Buy, office stores, or Abt Electronics offer electronics recycling, but call ahead for a list of acceptable items and possible fees. The Park District, Village, and other community partners host a free electronics recycling event called Spring Greening annually.
• Dust, ash, or particle matter 
  Must be bagged and securely fastened and in refuse cart
• Hypodermic needles 
  Must be placed in sharps containers

The Village will accept one large item such as a couch or mattress, or two smaller bulk items (chairs, end tables, appliances such as an oven or washer) per week. Please call in large items ahead of time at 847/933-8427. Place item out by 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Do not place bulk items out during a holiday week. Mattresses must be wrapped in plastic (shrink wrap plastic can be purchased at home improvement stores). Residents are allowed to bring construction debris and other landfill waste to the SWANCC transfer station for a reasonable fee.

If you are disposing of carpeting, cut it in lengths to six feet or less and rolls should not exceed 18 inches in diameter. The Village will accept about the amount of one small room or an area rug. Larger projects must be disposed of contractually, or residents may bring construction debris and other landfill waste to the SWANCC transfer station for a reasonable fee.

Large collections require a dumpster and are the resident’s responsibility. Dumpsters must be obtained through the Village’s commercial hauler, LRS at 1-844-NEED-LRS. Small move outs (a few bulk items) can be scheduled by calling Public Works at 847/966-8427. Residents are allowed to bring construction debris and other landfill waste to the SWANCC transfer station for a reasonable fee.