Yard Waste Collection

The yard waste service runs annually from April 1st through November 30th, and is collected on regular garbage collections days. The village's garbage contractor picks up grass, brush, tree clippings, and leaves, provided they are in a container or yard waste bag (with sticker), or bundled with twine/string in the case of branches, which does not require a sticker. Any yard waste generated by a private contractor is the responsibility of the contractor.

Yard Waste Program

Illinois law requires the separation of yard waste from regular garbage. Yard waste consists of grass clippings, leaves, branches, plant clippings, and brush. The Yard Waste program runs from April 1st through November 30th. Such material must be separated from other garbage or the hauler will not pick it up.

All forms of yard waste are collected by Groot Recycling and Waste Services. Details on how to properly prepare your materials are provided below. As a convenience to our residents, the village also provides a free leaf pickup program from mid-October through late November.

Yard Waste Stickers

Yard waste stickers will be sold for $2 each. Residents who place their yard waste at the curb need to adhere to the guidelines below (the directions for use are also printed on the back of each sticker). You may also view a list of yard waste sticker distributors.

Residents are required to purchase a sticker and place it on the handle of a designated 32 gallon (standard size) garbage can, or residents may place the sticker on any standard yard waste bag. Residents can place an unlimited amount of yard waste at the curb on their regular garbage pickup date, provided a sticker is attached to each container / bag.

Cost Savings Alternative

You have a choice of whether or not to use the Niles yard waste service. Only those homeowners who use the service in Niles will have to pay for it. The village recommends mulching your grass on your lawn as a cheaper and better alternative to bagging your grass. Clippings also can be used as mulch around evergreens, vegetable gardens, and hedges.

Mulch

Mulching the grass clippings on your lawn avoids the time and cost involved in bagging them. Mulch is very healthy for your grass because it provides nitrogen, helps retain moisture, cushions the lawn, and does not cause thatch. Grass clippings are made up of 90% water and will break down in approximately 10 days. If your lawn has an existing thatch problem, consult a lawn care expert before mulching.

Grass Clippings

The solid waste hauler is the only option for the collection of grass clippings. Grass clippings are collected on the same day as refuse collection, provided the following criteria are met:

• Village of Niles yard waste stickers, available at area stores at a cost of $2 each, need to be purchased in advance of collection by the resident.
• The container chosen by the resident should be left at the curb on the day of regular refuse collection. No garbage can be mixed with the grass clippings. Should garbage be mixed with the grass clippings, collection will not take place.
• The solid waste hauler will remove the material for disposal during the day.
• Grass clippings may be disposed of in a paper yard waste bag. You may use a designated 32 gallon (standard size) garbage can, eliminating the need to purchase a paper yard waste bag. The sticker must then be:
  • Attached to the paper yard waste bag; or
  • Attached to the handle of the designated 32 gallon (standard size) garbage can.

No plastic bags or boxes will be accepted for collection.

Leaf Collection

To utilize the solid waste hauler, the procedure is essentially the same as with the collection of grass clippings. Leaves are collected on the same day as refuse collection, provided the following criteria are met:

• Village of Niles yard waste stickers, available at area stores at a cost of $2 each, need to be purchased in advance of collection by the resident.
• Leaves may be disposed of in a paper yard waste bag, or a designated 32 gallon (standard size) garbage can and eliminates the need to purchase a paper yard waste bag. The sticker must then be:
  • Attached to the paper yard waste bag; or
  • Attached to the handle of the designated 32 gallon (standard size) garbage can; or

No plastic bags or boxes will be accepted for collection.

Branch Collection

The Village of Niles has a contract with Groot to offer free branch pickup service to residents. Branches are collected on the same day as refuse collection, and the program runs from April 1st through November 30th. Branches placed for collection must be tied in bundles with twine or string and should be no more than 18 inches in diameter and four feet in length; otherwise crews will not collect them.

The bundling requirement is in place so crews can quickly and safely pick up branches. When branches are not bundled they become intertwined, making them difficult to pick up and causing back injuries to employees when they strain to free the tangled mess. Residents who do not bundle branches will be cited until they properly bundle them or remove them from their property. An easy way to tell if you have the bundle the correct size is that any bundle should be able to easily be picked up by one person.

Residents do not need to put a yard waste sticker onto each bundle of branches for the regular branch pickup.

Additional Information

The container chosen by the resident should be left at the curb on the day of regular refuse collection. No garbage can be mixed with the branches and leaves. Should garbage be mixed with the branches and leaves, collection will not take place.