Downers Grove Township

Grass clippings, leaves, twigs, garden debris, weeds, fruits, seeds, stalks, vines are acceptable landscape items. Landscape does not include wood timbers, plastic edging, plant pots or trays, fertilizer or landscape material bags, landscape fabric, root sections, sand, gravel, sod, bark, wood chips, firewood, rocks, dirt or animal waste.

Groot will collect yard waste starting April 1st through November 30th, Grass clippings, leaves, twigs, garden debris, weeds, fruits, seeds, stalks, vines, bark and wood chips may be placed at the curb on the regularly scheduled pick up day. All landscape waste must be placed at the curb in only biodegradable paper bags sold specifically for the collection and disposal of landscape waste. Bags left at the curb shall not exceed 50 pounds. All bundled brush and material too bulky to be placed in a bag shall be bundled with biodegradable natural fiber twine and shall not exceed 4 feet in length and 2 feet in diameter per bundle, with each bundle not to exceed 50 pounds. Yard waste does not include wood timbers, plastic edging, plant pots or trays, fertilizer or landscape material bags, landscape fabric, root sections, sand, gravel, sod, firewood or animal waste.

Groot will take one large item per week at no additional cost for the Unlimited and Limited programs. The remaining programs require an extra fee. Bulk items include: boxes, barrels, crates, furniture, mattresses/box spring and similar items that do not fit into a proper container and can be safely collected/lifted by one driver without assistance. Exceptions include items which are banned from direct disposal into a landfill. (Examples: appliances, tires, car batteries, televisions and electronic waste). For Bulk Items in excess of 75 lbs., residents should call Groot to schedule a pick-up in advance.

Oversized and overweight items are any single large or extra heavy item that requires Groot to schedule a special pick-up. An example of an oversized item is a piano or any item that requires two or more people to safely lift. There will be an additional cost for oversized items. Please call Groot at 888-485-0900 to schedule a pickup.

Solid Waste Items Not Collected

Illinois law prohibits the disposal of certain waste in landfills. In addition, other items should be disposed of by other methods. Please observe these regulations, or your trash will not be collected. Please visit www.swancc.org for more information on how to dispose of these items. The following items are banned from landfills:

• Automobile Tires
• Automobile Batteries
• Explosive, Toxic, Hazardous & Volatile Waste
• Flammable Waste
• Gasoline, Motor Oil, Anti-Freeze
• Large Automobile Parts & Wheels
• Acids & Poisons
• CFL Bulbs, Florescent Bulbs
• Electronic Waste
• Swimming Pool Chemicals

Groot will collect refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, washers, dryers, dishwashers, hot water tanks, dehumidifiers, and other white goods once per week. Residents must call Groot at 888-485-0900 to schedule collection of white goods. Items should not be placed at the curb until the evening before the scheduled collection.

All material must be cut to no more than 4 feet in length and no larger than 2 feet in diameter per bundle. For the safety of the collector, all debris must be bagged or bundled and free of nails and sharp objects not exceeding 50 pounds. Carpet must be cut up in four foot lengths not exceeding 60 pounds per roll.

Christmas Tree

Christmas trees will continue to be collected by the Township Highway Department during the first two (2) weeks in January. Landscape stickers are not necessary for Christmas trees. Trees must be free of all lights, ornaments and tinsel. Plastic bags also must be removed from trees.

Under the Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act, mixing electronics with regular landfill waste is prohibited. All collected items are securely recycled and made inoperable. For sensitive electronics like hard drives, we offer convenient front, side, or drive-up pickups. You can also drop off items at local collection sites, many free of charge. Visit our where and how page, select your county and town, and find nearby drop-off locations.

Groot Industries offers collection of these items directly from your home for an additional fee; however, please call us at 708-485-0900 to schedule in advance.

• Computers & monitors
• Video game consoles
• Electronic Mice & keyboards
• Printers & Scanners
• Televisions
• Digital converter Boxes
• Cable & Satellite receivers
• Fax machines
• Small scale servers
• Video cassette recorders
• Digital video disc players & recorders
• Portable digital music players