by Chicago, Illinois — As the New Year begins, many residents across the Chicago area are seeing changes to their trash and recycling pickup schedules, with New Year’s Day prompting widespread collection delays. Local officials and waste service providers are urging households to plan ahead, especially after the holiday surge in packaging, food waste, and recyclables.
If your bins weren’t collected as expected, you’re not alone — and the delay is likely tied directly to the Jan. 1 holiday.
No trash or recycling pickup in Chicago on New Year’s Day
For residents within the city of Chicago, officials confirm there is no trash or recycling collection citywide on New Year’s Day.
According to the city’s official sanitation schedule, garbage and recycling services pause on Jan. 1, with pickups resuming on the next scheduled service day. This annual adjustment is standard for major holidays and applies across all Chicago neighborhoods.
Residents are advised to:
- Keep bins secured until the next scheduled pickup
- Avoid overfilling containers, which may not be collected
- Check for neighborhood-specific updates if service appears delayed
Lakeshore Recycling Services delays pickups by one day
Outside the city, many suburbs rely on Lakeshore Recycling Services (LRS), one of the largest waste collection providers in the region.
LRS follows a one-day delay policy when a scheduled pickup falls on a holiday or the day after a holiday. Because New Year’s Day falls midweek this year, that policy is affecting multiple service days.
Key detail: Trash and recycling collections scheduled for Thursday and Friday this week will be pushed back by one day in many LRS-serviced communities.
Suburbs affected by New Year’s Day delays
LRS services a wide swath of the Chicago metropolitan area, meaning thousands of households are impacted by the holiday shift.
Communities affected include, but are not limited to:
- Schaumburg
- Maywood
- North Chicago
- Evanston
- Darien
- Several townships across Cook County and Lake County
In these areas, residents should expect their regular pickup to occur one day later than usual for the remainder of the week.
Why holiday delays matter more this time of year
New Year’s Day often follows a period of increased household waste, including:
- Gift packaging
- Cardboard boxes
- Food waste from gatherings
- Beverage containers and recyclables
With bins already fuller than normal, even a one-day delay can create overflow issues, especially in multi-unit buildings or high-density neighborhoods.
Waste management officials recommend breaking down cardboard boxes, redistributing recyclables if possible, and avoiding placing excess material outside bins, as loose items may not be collected.
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How to check your exact pickup schedule
If you’re unsure when your trash or recycling will be collected this week, officials say the most reliable source is your local municipality’s website.
Most cities and villages provide:
- Holiday-adjusted pickup calendars
- Searchable address-based schedules
- Alerts for missed or delayed service
In addition, many municipalities have taken to social media to post reminders about New Year’s Day delays, often pinning notices to the top of their pages.
What happens after the holiday week
Once the holiday delay passes, normal pickup schedules typically resume the following week. However, residents should continue monitoring announcements, especially during winter months when weather-related disruptions can further impact service.
Snowstorms, icy roads, and extreme cold can all lead to temporary suspensions or delays in garbage and recycling collection.
Tips to manage bins during delayed service
To avoid issues during the New Year’s pickup shift, sanitation officials suggest a few practical steps:
- Compact waste carefully to maximize bin space
- Flatten cardboard boxes before placing them in recycling
- Store extra bags in a garage or secure area until pickup
- Avoid placing items out early, where wind or animals can scatter trash
These steps help keep neighborhoods clean and prevent missed collections.
Why services pause on major holidays
Garbage and recycling services typically pause on major holidays such as New Year’s Day due to:
- Labor agreements and worker safety considerations
- Reduced staffing levels
- Coordination across multiple municipalities and routes
The one-day delay system allows crews to maintain consistent service levels without permanently shifting weekly schedules.
What residents should expect going forward
For most of the Chicago area, the New Year’s Day delay is temporary and predictable, but it does require some short-term planning. Residents who stay informed and adjust bin placement accordingly should see service return without major issues.
If your collection was missed beyond the expected delay, municipalities recommend contacting your local public works department or waste provider directly.
Did your trash or recycling pickup shift this week? Share how your community is handling the New Year’s Day delay in the comments, and help neighbors stay informed as holiday schedules wind down.
