Rockford bulk trash pickup
Weekly same day as garbage — no call required for normal volume.
Verified 2026-10-15 · rockfordil.gov
At a glance
| Brush | 2-ply compostable paper bags or ≤32-gal can marked X; bundles ≤4 ft × 2 ft dia, twine (no wire), ≤50 lb; limbs ≤4 in dia. |
|---|---|
| Limits | One hopper (~3 cy) bulk/garbage combined before surcharge. 62+ or disability → optional 65-gal cart exchange (City application). |
| Not allowed | Household hazardous waste, construction debris, tires, electronics curbside bulk list; yard in plastic; leaf burning illegal (police/fire non-emergency 815-966-2900). |
| Curbside | 3:00 p.m. prior day – 6:00 a.m. collection day; cans in by 8:00 a.m. following day. Checklist Verified 2026-10-15 · rockfordil.gov |
Schedule
Curbside
Curbside checklist
City rules before collection day. Confirm with the city if anything looks off.
When
3:00 p.m. prior day – 6:00 a.m. collection day; cans in by 8:00 a.m. following day.
Where
Curbside; carts stored out of street view when not set-out.
Limits
One hopper (~3 cy) bulk/garbage combined before surcharge. 62+ or disability → optional 65-gal cart exchange (City application).
Not allowed
Household hazardous waste, construction debris, tires, electronics curbside bulk list; yard in plastic; leaf burning illegal (police/fire non-emergency 815-966-2900).
Bags
Garbage bagged in cart or approved cans.
Verified 2026-10-15 · rockfordil.gov
Add curbside reminder to Google CalendarFind your day
Verified 2026-10-15 · rockfordil.gov
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Full details for Rockford: every rule, with sources
- Trash
- City contract — Rock River Disposal (Waste Connections). Weekly Mon–Thu by address (Garbage Boundary Map / Waste Wizard / WasteConnect app). City-issued 95-gal cart (2024 rollout); extras in ≤32-gal cans ≤50 lb with lids. Out 3:00 p.m. day before through 6:00 a.m. collection day; empty cans to inconspicuous storage by 8:00 a.m. day after. ~3 cy (one truck hopper) per dwelling/week included; excess → bulk refuse surcharge (Fee Schedule). Chapter 25 General Ordinance.
- Recycling
- Weekly same day as garbage. City 65-gal blue cart (2024); request missing cart from Rock River 815-965-2489. Loose in cart — no bags. Guidelines: Rockford Recycling Guidelines brochure / Waste Wizard. Some items → Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful centers.
- Bulk pickup
- Weekly same day as garbage — no call required for normal volume. Prep: toilets tank off bowl; long items ≤4 ft; bed-bug items wrapped in plastic; king mattress folded/taped, box spring cut in half; Freon appliances need technician certification attached. Not: building/remodel debris, TVs/monitors, auto parts, oil, tires, liquids, household hazardous waste (some accepted at City household hazardous waste facility). Atypical size → call Rock River first. Self-haul to Winnebago Landfill optional.
- Curbside: when
- 3:00 p.m. prior day – 6:00 a.m. collection day; cans in by 8:00 a.m. following day.
- Curbside: where
- Curbside; carts stored out of street view when not set-out.
- Curbside: limits
- One hopper (~3 cy) bulk/garbage combined before surcharge. 62+ or disability → optional 65-gal cart exchange (City application).
- Curbside: brush
- Yard waste seasonal — 2026 start Mar 23, end TBD; same day as garbage. 2-ply compostable paper bags or ≤32-gal can marked X; bundles ≤4 ft × 2 ft dia, twine (no wire), ≤50 lb; limbs ≤4 in dia. No plastic bags; not mixed with garbage. Christmas trees Jan 5–15 2026 on garbage day (4 ft sections, undecorated).
- Curbside: not allowed
- household hazardous waste, construction debris, tires, electronics curbside bulk list; yard in plastic; leaf burning illegal (police/fire non-emergency 815-966-2900).
- Curbside: bags
- Garbage bagged in cart or approved cans.
- Curbside: fees and fines
- Bulk refuse surcharge per Fee Schedule when >1 hopper; civil code enforcement — specific litter dollars.
- Holidays
- New Year's Day 2026 (2026-01-01): shift not yet confirmed
- Memorial Day 2026 (2026-05-25): shift not yet confirmed
- Independence Day 2026 (2026-07-04): shift not yet confirmed
- Labor Day 2026 (2026-09-07): shift not yet confirmed
- Thanksgiving 2026 (2026-11-26): shift not yet confirmed
- Christmas 2026 (2026-12-25): shift not yet confirmed
If collection falls on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas — +1 day delay for that day and balance of week. Use Waste Wizard for address-specific week.
- Hauler
- Rock River Disposal (City of Rockford contract)
- Contacts
- Rock River 815-965-2489 / [email protected]; City Customer Service 779-348-7300 / [email protected]
- Find your day
- Garbage Boundary Map / Waste Wizard
- Sources
- Trash and recycling: rockfordil.gov
Bulk: rockfordil.gov
Holidays: rockfordil.gov
Curbside: rockfordil.gov - Verified
- 2026-10-15
Town Rulebook is independent and not affiliated with any city or hauler. Schedules change — always confirm with your city. About & disclaimer