Special Pick-Ups

The City of Evanston charges a fee for special pick-ups, which are defined as trash exceeding the capacity of your garbage cart plus one additional bag. 

Special pick-ups are required after a move-out or move-in, a major clean-up effort, or if you have a large piece of furniture to be disposed.

What is the cost of a special pick-up?

For special pick-ups, a fee of $100 is charged for the first three cubic yards of trash. For each additional (1) cubic yard of trash, a fee of $25 will be charged. The charge will be placed on your water bill for payment at a later date.

How do I request a special pick-up?

Please call/text the Public Works Agency at 847-448-4311 to request a special pick-up. Sanitation crews will perform the special pick-up and a fee will be assessed. For convenience, you may dial 311 directly while in Evanston.

Remember that the City is not equipped to collect and does not collect construction debris or hazardous materials. A private disposal firm can be hired to collect these materials.

2024 Bulk Trash Collection

The City offers the free removal of up to six cubic yards of bulk garbage twice each year. See below for the schedule and guidelines.

Spring Schedule:

Fall Schedule:

All trash must be out by 7 a.m.; City crews will not return for late set outs. If crews are unable to complete routes on Friday, collection will continue on Saturday.

Bulk trash must meet the following guidelines:

• Be less than six cubic yards per household. Six cubic yards is roughly equivalent to a love seat and chair, or one mattress and box spring, or 25 medium garbage bags. Quantities that exceed six cubic yards will be tagged for a special pick-up and a fee will be assessed. 
• Be placed out in an orderly fashion, i.e., bagged, contained or bundled, with no loose garbage. Crews cannot go on private property. Absolutely no hazardous materials will be collected, including batteries, gas, oil, asbestos, pesticides, medical wastes, paint, etc.
• Glass should be broken up, boxed, taped and labeled as glass.
• Bulk trash must be placed on the alley line or parkway. Crews will not remove items from private property.
• Absolutely no construction material will be collected.
• No tires or appliances will be collected. Please call 311 or 847-448-4311 to arrange for the free removal of these items. 
• Crews will only remove bulk items; no garbage carts will be emptied.
• Electronics are not permitted: It is illegal in Illinois to dispose of electronics in the trash.

I live in a condo. Can I participate?

Condo buildings and residents that receive a bill from the City for refuse collection services are eligible to participate in bulk trash pickup according to the residential schedule above based on their location (view map). Condos that  receive a monthly bill from the franchise waste service provider are not able to participate in the City’s bulk pickup program. Condo residents can find out if they're eligible by contacting their building management or by calling/texting 847-448-4311.

Sign Up for Text/Email Bulk Trash Reminders

Sign up for text/email notifications to remind you of bulk trash collection in the spring and fall seasons. Notifications will be sent out two weeks prior to the bulk trash-collection day, and again two days prior to the bulk trash collection day.

• Sign up for Monday zone alerts >>>
• Sign up for Tuesday zone alerts >>>
• Sign up for Wednesday zone alerts >>>
• Sign up for Thursday zone alerts >>>

Residents with larger debris removal needs may call 311 or 847-448-4311 to request a special pick-up. This alternative involves a charge.