Garbage, Recycling, and Yard Waste

The City of Joliet has contracted with Waste Management, Inc., to provide collection service for garbage, recyclables, and landscape waste (during season) throughout the City of Joliet. For more information on Waste Management's procedures and to see their holiday calendar visit their website.

Waste Management

For garbage, recycling and yard waste questions, contact Waste Management Customer Service Center at 815-280-7854 or live chat at www.wm.com (scroll towards the bottom and click on CHAT and enter your information), Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays. 

For more detailed information about the City of Joliet ’s Garbage, Recycling and Yard Waste Program click the appropriate link below:

• City of Joliet Garbage, Recycling, & Yard Waste Program(PDF, 2MB)

• Programa de recolección de basura, reciclaje y residuos de jardinería de la ciudad de Joliet(PDF, 2MB)

Waste Management Holiday Schedule:

Your scheduled pickup will be delayed by one day if your collection day falls on one of the following holidays:  New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. 

Guidelines:

Cart Curbside Placement Times:

Carts may be set out after 6:00 p.m. the night before and must be out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Remove carts by day’s end. Collection times may change due to extreme weather; check the City’s media sources for updates. 

Garbage Waste:

Waste Management provides garbage cans with green lids designated for household waste only. Garbage is collected weekly on your regularly scheduled collection day, along with recycling and yard waste, though each is picked up at different times.

Recycling:

Recyclable materials must be placed in cans with yellow lids only. Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as garbage and yard waste, but at a different time.  Visit Recycle Right for Waste Management's recycling guidelines and information.

Yard Waste:

There are three options for yard waste disposal:

1. Use approved yard waste bags.

2. Use a personal container (up to 32 gallons) labeled “Yard Waste.” The container must not exceed 45 lbs. Please note that Waste Management is not responsible for damage to personal containers.

3. Rent or purchase a yard waste container directly from Waste Management.

Yard waste containers Rented or Purchase may be used for regular waste during the off-season (December through March).

Dead Animal Pickup:

Contact Waste Management at 815-280-7854 to schedule a dead animal pick up. The dead animal must be located on a city street or within the city parkway area (grassy area between the sidewalk and the street) in order for them to remove.  Be prepared to give the type of animal and address location or intersection to where the dead animal is located.  Animals that are flattened into the pavement will not be removed.  Please note that Waste Management or any of our city departments do not remove dead animals from private property, this would be owner responsibililty.

Special Collection (Electronic & Hazardous Waste):

To dispose of home-generated special materials and schedule a collection at your home, contact us in one of these three ways:

• Visit WM At Your Door

• Call (800) 449-7587

Waste Management will offer convenient service for residents to properly dispose and recycle home-generated special materials- safely, easily, and responsibly. These items may include paints, household cleaners, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), automotive products, garden chemicals, batteries, electronics, and more.

Do not place these items at the curb with regular garbage - they will not be collected. For program details, contact 800-449-7587 or visit WM At Your Door.

Remodeling:

Waste Management can provide 10, 15, 20, or 30 cubic yard containers for your home improvement project. Call Waste Management customer service department at 815-280-7854 for a quote.  Additionally, Waste Management has provided 100 bagsters to the City of Joliet for its residents for free.  One bagster per household until they run out are available at 150 W. Jefferson St (City Hall), Joliet, IL 60432. Check with our Building Inspections Division for availability at 815-724-4070.   Bagsters normally cost approximately $30 at local hardware stores, and they are 3 cubic yards.   This is ideal for small construction projects and cleanouts.  Citizens will still be required to pay the cost of pickup, which is approximately $176 (prices subject to change).  Citizens would need to call 1-877-789-2247 to arrange for the bagster to be picked up.  If you were to get a dumpster this size it would cost approximately $300 (prices subject to change).

Medications (unused, expired or unwanted):

Medication should NEVER be discarded down the drain or thrown into the garbage. Unused, expired and unwanted medication is a health and safety risk, as well as a potential threat to waterways. Drop off locations for medications are located at several locations in Joliet and in Will County.

Residents should research to make sure the medication(s) you are trying to discard qualify for drop off at any of the locations prior to dropping off, visit Will County Land Use for county wide locations and program information or call: 815-727-8834.

Moving:

Garbage and Recycling carts are the property of Waste Management. Please leave the garbage and recycling carts for the next resident. Your cooperation is appreciated.  Please be advised:  Move in or out, eviction, large demolition or home renovation piles of garbage may require a special collections pickup, or dumpster for removal, please contact Waste Management at 815-280-7854 for more information, questions and scheduling (Fee's $ Apply).

Seasonal:

Live Christmas trees may be placed curbside January 1–31 on your regular collection day. Trees must be undecorated, and those over 5 feet must be cut in half. For questions, contact Waste Management at 815‑280‑7854.

Reminder: Pumpkins and mulch must be disposed of as regular household garbage and are not accepted as part of the yard‑waste‑only program.

For complete disposal rules for garbage, recycling, yard waste, hazardous household waste, and electronics, please refer to the English and Spanish Waste Management Guides above, or contact Waste Management at 815‑280‑7854 with any questions or servicing issues you may have.