Primary Functions – The four primary functions of the Sanitation Division include collection and disposal, composting, recycling, and technical and financial services.

• Collection and Disposal Provides weekly unlimited collection to all residential buildings of four units or less through a private contractor.
• Composting Program – Contractor collects yard wastes, including leaves, grass, and pruning, and composts them at a City owned landfill site and uses material for landfill cover.
• Recycling Program – Provides curbside recycling as part of regular weekly collection. Residents can recycle 32 items and Christmas trees are recycled seasonally.
• Technical and financial Services – Contract monitoring, purchase of service for billing and collecting, and reimbursement for street cleaning services are included.

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Garbage pick up is scheduled between Monday and Thursday. Garbage cans and/or bags should be placed at the curb or alley no earlier than 3 p.m. the night before pick up and no later than 6 a.m. the day of pick up. All containers must be removed from the curb or alley and returned to a storing location by 8 a.m. the day following pick up. Click here for examples of what is acceptable.

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Rockford residents are not required to recycle, however, the City encourages all residents to take advantage of the program. Each household is furnished with a recycling bin. Aluminum and tin cans, glass jars and bottles, aerosol cans, coded plastics #1 - #7, and 6 and 12 pack rings will be accepted. All containers should be rinsed, caps removed, and placed loosely in a bin. If you have excess recyclables, they may be placed in a paper bag and set next to the bin. Newspapers should be placed in a paper bag and set on top of the bin. Paper, magazines, and phone books should be placed in a paper bag and set next to the bin. Cardboard and paperboard must be flattened and bundled with string or twine, not wire. The bundles should be no larger than two feet by two feet. These also should be set next to the recycling bin. Recyclables will be collected on your regular garbage day.

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Fall Leaf Collection: It is illegal to burn leaves. Leaves will be collected for composting on your normal collection day.  The proper containers are a 40 gallon biodegradable 2-ply paper bag or a standard garbage can with a bold "X" on the side of the can facing the street. Citizens should not sweep loose leaves into the public street.  Loose leaves will clog the storm sewer system and cause flooding in the spring.

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Bulk items are household items that are too large to be placed in a garbage can or bag. Items containing freon (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, etc.) will be accepted only if they are certified freon free by a licensed refrigeration technician. Building and remodeling materials, automobile parts, oil, tires, liquid waste, and paint thinner will not be accepted. Bulk items will be collected each week on the same day and placed as refuse.

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Rockford residents can dispose of household hazardous waste at the Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Center at 3333 Kishwaukee St., Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 12 p.m. (noon) to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. Aerosols, corrosives, oxidizers, solvents, oil-based and latex paints, waste oils, pesticides, batteries, fluorescent lamps, used oil, up to 4 used tires, and insulin disposal service will be accepted. Radioactive waste, compressed gas, and explosives will not be accepted. The facility is available to all residential parties, regardless of place of residence.

 Click the image for a printable map to 3333 Kishwaukee Street

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 2010 Holiday Garbage/Refuse Schedule

 No Collections on:

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day 

Please note: The normal garbage collection days for all City of Rockford residences are Mon-Thur, for holidays falling on these days garbage pickup will be one day later.