Confused about what to bag, bundle, or bin in Gurnee? You are not alone. Getting yard waste and recycling right saves you time, avoids extra fees, and keeps our village clean. In this quick guide, you will learn the exact rules for yard waste season, sticker versus subscription options, leaf pickup, and what belongs in your recycling cart. Let’s dive in.
Who handles pickup in Gurnee
Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) is the Village’s curbside provider for trash, recycling, yard waste, and fall leaves. If you have questions about carts, missed pickups, or starting service, contact LRS customer service at 844-633-3577 or use the Village’s guidance on the Garbage, Recycling, and Yard Waste page.
Not every address is on the Village contract. If your home is unincorporated (often a 5-digit street number) or you pay your HOA directly for service, check with your HOA or property manager for the correct rules. The Village page above explains who is covered.
Yard waste basics: season, stickers, subscriptions
The yard waste and organics season runs from April 1 through November 30. LRS often offers a short early April window when stickers are not required for containerized yard waste. Check the Village or LRS pages each spring for exact dates.
You have two ways to participate:
- Subscription cart. For 2025, the annual subscription is $145.60 and includes delivery of a 95-gallon yard waste cart for the season. Details are on the Village’s Landscape Waste page and the LRS Gurnee service page.
- Pay-per-bag stickers. If you prefer to pay as you go, attach an LRS yard waste sticker to each kraft paper bag or approved container set out for collection. The 2025 sticker price is $3.07 per bag or can. See program rules on the Village and LRS pages linked above.
What to use and how to prep:
- Use kraft paper yard bags, a rigid personal container marked “YARD WASTE,” or your LRS subscription cart. No plastic bags are accepted.
- Keep each bag or can under about 32 gallons and 50 pounds.
- Bundle brush and branches with twine, under about 4 feet long and 2 feet in diameter, and keep bundles under 50 pounds.
- Accepted: grass clippings, leaves, plant trimmings, and small branches within size limits. Not accepted: sod or dirt, rocks, plastic, artificial greenery, or construction debris. See the LRS Gurnee page for the full list.
Subscription vs. stickers: which to choose
- Choose a subscription if you set out yard waste most weeks or prefer the convenience of a cart and one seasonal fee.
- Use stickers if you set out only occasionally or in small amounts. Prices can change each year, so confirm current rates on the Village landscape waste page.
Leaves, brush, and holiday trees
Gurnee runs two leaf options each fall. First, bag leaves for weekly pickup on your regular day. Second, use the Village’s vacuum curbside collection that rotates by area on scheduled weeks. For vacuum service, place leaves to the curb by 6 a.m. on Monday of your scheduled week. The annual schedule and rules are posted on the Village leaf collection page. Leaf burning is prohibited in Gurnee.
Brush and branches are collected when properly bundled and within size limits. Tie with twine, keep bundles manageable, and follow the weight and length guidance noted above.
Real Christmas trees are collected each January at no charge. Remove all lights, ornaments, and bags before setout. See reminders on the LRS Gurnee page.
Recycling rules that keep loads clean
Every household receives an LRS recycling cart with weekly pickup. Place paper, flattened cardboard, metal cans, glass bottles and jars, cartons, and acceptable plastic containers in the cart. Keep items loose, not bagged, and rinse containers. The Village outlines cart rules on the Waste Collection page.
To reduce contamination, avoid plastic bags and film in the cart. If you want to recycle certain hard-to-recycle plastics like chip bags and bubble wrap, Gurnee participates in the orange bag program called Hefty ReNew. Place accepted items in the orange bag, seal it, and set the bag inside your recycling cart. Learn how it works in the Village’s Hefty ReNew program launch announcement. For best practices like rinsing, flattening cardboard, and never bagging recyclables, review LRS guidance on contamination reduction on their recycling best practices page.
Electronics, chemicals, and special drop-offs
Electronics such as TVs, monitors, and computers are banned from regular trash in Illinois. Use SWALCO’s year-round drop-off sites and event days for safe disposal. Accepted items and per-visit limits are listed on SWALCO’s Electronics Recycling page.
Household chemical waste is handled by SWALCO’s Gurnee facility by appointment. Accepted items include oil-based paint, pesticides, certain batteries, fluorescent bulbs, automotive fluids, and more. Schedules can change, so book an appointment and confirm the accepted list on SWALCO’s Household Chemical Waste page.
The Village also promotes backyard composting tips and has coordinated community compost giveaways in the past. Watch Village news and social feeds for seasonal events.
Quick homeowner checklist
- Know your service day and provider rules on the Village’s Waste Collection page.
- Decide early: subscription cart or stickers for yard waste. Check current fees on the Landscape Waste page.
- Set out yard waste in kraft paper bags or your LRS cart, under 50 pounds. Review limits on the LRS Gurnee page.
- Tie brush bundles with twine, under about 4 feet and 2 feet in diameter.
- Keep recyclables clean and loose, and consider orange bags for hard-to-recycle plastics. See the Hefty ReNew announcement.
- Never burn leaves. Use bagging or the scheduled vacuum pickup listed on the Leaf Collection page.
Staying compliant with local rules makes your property look its best and helps your neighborhood shine. If you are prepping a home for sale or planning a move, we can help you prioritize projects that matter. Reach out to Gina Shad for local guidance tailored to your next step.
FAQs
When does Gurnee’s yard waste season run?
- April 1 through November 30 each year, with occasional early April no-sticker weeks announced by the Village or LRS; confirm dates on the LRS Gurnee page.
How do I get a yard waste cart instead of using stickers?
- Enroll in LRS’s seasonal subscription program to receive a 95-gallon cart; sign up through LRS using the Village’s Landscape Waste page for details.
Can I put yard waste in my regular garbage cart?
- No, yard waste is collected separately; use a kraft paper yard bag, a labeled rigid container with a sticker, or your subscription cart as outlined on the LRS Gurnee page.
How does Gurnee’s leaf vacuum pickup work?
- The Village publishes a rotating schedule by area each fall; place leaves at the curb by 6 a.m. on Monday of your scheduled week or use bagged leaf pickup weekly; see the Leaf Collection page.
Where can I take electronics or hazardous household chemicals?
- Use SWALCO’s year-round electronics drop-off network and make an appointment for household chemical waste at the Gurnee facility; start with SWALCO’s Electronics Recycling and Household Chemical Waste pages.
I live in an HOA or unincorporated area. Do these rules apply?
- Some HOAs and unincorporated addresses arrange separate contracts; if you pay your HOA directly or have a 5-digit address, confirm procedures with your HOA or property manager, and review the Village’s Waste Collection page for coverage guidance.
