Friday is the service day in the Village of Mettawa. All garbage, recycling and yard waste will be collected between the times of 7AM and 7PM on your collection day. Service times are subject to change.   

All  materials must be placed out at the curb for collection by 7:00  a.m., on your Friday service day, but not before 3:00 p.m. the day before. Please keep in mind that separate trucks pick up trash, recyclables, yard waste and bulk items, so these materials may be picked up at different times of the day.  

Resident owned containers may only be used for refuse exceeding the LRS cart capacity. Resident owned containers may not exceed 32 gallons, 50 pounds in weight, and must have two handles and a lid.  Any additional refuse will require a special pickup.

LRS offers additional garbage carts for households who frequently generate greater amounts of waste. 

LRS offers carts in two sizes, 65-gallon or 95-gallon. All homes by default received the 95-gallon cart   If you would like to inquire about changing your cart size, please email Service@LRSRecycles.com or call 844-NEED-LRS and any of our service representatives would be happy to assist (fees may apply).

Yard waste is collected seasonally beginning on April 1st through the last full week of November on the same day as refuse and recyclables. LRS also allows for organic food scraps to be mixed into yard waste during the season as well.   There are two program options available to Mettawa residents.

Subscription yard waste service

Residents may elect to pay an annual fee for the collection of up to five 32-gallon  containers or kraft bags weekly throughout the landscape waste season. The subscription fee must be paid in full upon signing up. This program also includes 1-95g LRS cart for service.

By-the-bag yard waste service

Residents may utilize an “on-call” service if you wish to only have yard waste collected occasionally, rather than all season. Charges are per bag or bundle. Please call our Customer Service Center to schedule a collection.

What is considered yard waste?

Yard-waste, also known as landscape waste, consists of organic waste materials accumulated as the result of cultivation and maintenance of gardens, lawns, shrubbery, trees and vines.

Yard waste is garden trimmings, branches and brush under 2 feet in diameter and 4 feet in length, leaves, flowers, tree droppings (crabapples and pinecones), garden plants, vines, weeds and grass clippings and yard trimmings.

What is considered acceptable food scraps?

Bread, cereal, coffee grounds, dairy, eggshells, eggs, fruits, grain, pasta, shells, vegetables.

What are non-acceptable food scraps?

Bones, diapers, fats, glass, grease, liquids, meat, metal, oil, packaging, paper plates, pet waste, plastic, poultry, seafood, service ware, shells, and Styrofoam.

Approved Yard Waste containers or bags

Bundled brush is included with the optional yard waste program. Please be sure all brush is bundled and tied with biodegradable twine or string in distinct piles that are no longer than 4 feet in length, 2 feet in diameter, and weighing no more than 45 pounds with no individual branch being greater than 3” in diameter. The 95-gallon yard waste toter is available with the subscription service.

Landscape waste must be placed in approved biodegradable landscape waste bags (Kraft bags) or open garbage cans not larger than 32-gallon capacity. Containers or bags may not exceed 50 pounds.

Christmas trees

LRS will provide a special collection of Christmas trees during the first two weeks of January.

• The tree must be real, not artificial, not in any plastic bags and free of tinsel, lights, ornaments and not frozen to the ground
• Flocked trees, trees with shiners, tinsel, light bulbs, glitter, wire or plastic or in plastic bags will not be included in this special collection

“Bulk Items” are items that are too large to fit into a cart or can. LRS will collect one bulk item per week at no charge. If a bulk item is deemed hazardous or unacceptable for landfills, that item will not be taken. 

Examples of a bulk or large item exceeding the capacity of the LRS refuse (garbage) cart, includes the following: bed frame, box spring (bed), bicycle, chair, love seat/sofa, one part of sectional couch, mattress, frame, or wall picture. These are only some examples as there are many items that may be considered bulk items.

For health and safety reasons, mattresses must be wrapped in plastic to be collected. Plastic mattress wrap can be found online or at local grocery stores, hardware stores, storage and moving outlets. If using loose plastic, it must be completely taped and secured on all corners with no exposure to the mattress.

Bulk items requiring special equipment and additional labor, such as a piano, sleeper sofa (couch with pull out bed) and large entertainment center are considered a Special Refuse Collection.

Call LRS if you are unsure if an item requires additional labor or equipment at 844.633.3577 or send a request with a photo of the item(s) by e-mail to Service@LRSrecycles.com.

Electronic Waste (E-Waste) items that are banned from the landfill (cannot go into the regular garbage).

LRS provides monthly curbside collection of electronic waste (E-Waste) for Mettawa households that have LRS waste and recycling collection on the first Friday of the month. This service provides a more convenient and simple way to responsibly manage electronics that are banned from the landfill. There is no charge for this service. A request 24 hours in advance must be submitted to customer service to  ensure collection and only 7 items per pick-up will be removed.

Examples of E-Waste

Computers | Computer Monitors | Televisions | Printers | Keyboards | Fax Machines | VCR’S | Portable Digital Music Players | DVD Player | Video Game Consoles | Computer Mouse | Scanners | Digital Converter Boxes | Cable Receivers | Satellite Receivers | DVD Recorders | Small-Scale Servers

According to the EPA, Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) are products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances. All HHW items are banned from the landfill and will not be collected with curbside collection. LRS encourages residents to take advantage of the drop-off facilities and additional options provided by Swalco.

Please contact Swalco at 847.336.9340 or visit swalco.org for assistance with disposal of any hazardous material(s)

Examples of HHW:

• Oil Based Paints, Flammable Oils
  • Oil, Lead, Urethane, Chromium Based Paints, Shellac, Water or Driveway Sealer, Oil-Based Stain, Varnish
• Pesticides / Herbicides / Fertilizers
  • Poison, Lawn Chemicals, Weed Killer
• Aerosols
  • Spray-Paint, Hairspray, WD-40, Air Fresheners, Spray Adhesives, Oven Cleaner, Insecticide Bug Spray
• Automotive Chemicals / Fluids
  • Antifreeze, Brake or Transmission Fluid, Gasoline, Diesel, Motor Oil
• Houshold Cleaners (Acidic/Caustic)
  • Bleach, Ammonia, Muriatic Acids, Pool Cleaners, Drain Cleaners, Solvents, Paint Stripper or Thinner
• Bulbs / Batteries
  • Fluorescent bulbs, CFL, NiCad, Lithium, Lead Acid, – Automotive, Marine and Sump Pump Batteries

Some appliances require special handling as they may contain harmful chemicals, or they need to be recycled at a special location.

Examples of Appliances or White Goods:

Air Conditioner | Clothes Dryer | Cook Top and Cooking Plate | Cooker or Bakers Oven | Dishwasher | Drying Cabinet | Freezer | Kitchen Stove or Oven Range | Microwave Oven | Refrigerator or Refrigeration Equipment | Washing Machine | Water Heater

Scheduling Removal of Appliances & White Goods

All appliances/white goods must be prescheduled to LRS by calling customer service.

Contact LRS at 844.633.3577 or send an e-mail with a photo of the item(s) to Service@LRSrecycles.com for items you are unsure of. Items requiring additional labor and/or equipment to manage are considered a Special Refuse Collection. Examples of Special Refuse Collection items include a sleeper sofa, construction debris item(s), TV console and entertainment center. LRS will provide a cost estimate if we are able to provide the service. LRS does not guarantee collection of every item.

Residents are billed for refuse services through the Village. Please reach out to the Village at 847-573-1460 with any questions

Garage Door Service or Rear Yard Service

Rather than having to place your containers at the curb, residents can place their containers outside of their dwelling at another location point and our drivers will come up to this point and collect the trash and recycle. Please contact LRS if you wish to see if this service is available to you.

Additional Container

If a resident requires additional trash or recycling containers, they are available in both 65 and 95-gallon sizes upon request to customer service.

Yard Waste Service

• Subscription – Residents may elect to pay an annual fee for the collection of up to five approved containers weekly throughout the landscape waste season. The subscription fee must be paid in full upon sign up. LRS will provide one 95-gallon cart for use on this program.
• By-the-Bag – Residents may utilize an “on-call” service if you wish to only have yard waste collected occasionally, rather than all season. Charges are per bag or bundle. Please call our Customer Service Center to schedule a collection.

DIY Construction

Home remodeling waste includes, but is not limited to drywall, plywood, paneling, lumber, doors, windows, cabinets, porcelain fixtures, sod, fencing, concrete, or rocks will require special pickups. Residents will need to schedule service for these items and call to receive instructions on how to best prepare them for collection. Estimates will be provided, and items will be charged by the yard.

Dumpster Services 

LRS has expanded our temporary services division to create an easier customer experience. These temporary services include portable restroom rental and dumpster roll-offs of all sizes to contain your construction debris.

Contact us today to discover all the ways Lakeshore can make your waste removal even easier, no matter the project.

Please dial 844.633.3577 (ext 1) for more information.

Holiday service will be provided one day later than regular collection if the holiday falls Sunday through Friday. If the holiday falls on a Saturday, service will not be affected.

New Years Day                                                Independence Day                                         Christmas Day

Memorial Day                                                  Thanksgiving Day                                            Labor Day

For more information, questions and to arrange for services, please call LRS Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at 844.633.3577 or email Service@LRSrecycles.com.

Improperly prepared materials placed for collection will not be collected.

How do I clean my cart?

Fill the cart with hot water and a capful of vinegar or grease-cutting dish soap. Let it sit for about 10 minutes and rinse. Once the cart has been thoroughly rinsed, set the cart out with the lid open in the sun to dry.

What if I need my cart replaced?

Carts that are broken due to damage incurred during the collection are reported by the driver for replacement at no charge. Residents are encouraged to contact LRS if they notice damage to the cart during the collection process to request a replacement cart.

If damage occurs to the cart due to other reasons, please contact LRS to request a replacement cart.

Is this considered garbage?

Latex paint

Latex paint is considered regular garbage, but it must be completely dried, with the lid off so the driver is able to see inside the can. Dry latex paint by leaving lid off or open and/or mix kitty litter until the paint is completely absorbed. Do not place out for collection until the paint is completely dry.

Alkaline batteries

Alkaline batteries are considered regular garbage and should be thrown into the garbage. It is always recommended that tape be used on each end of the battery and placed into a plastic sandwich bag when disposing of them.

How do I report a missed pickup?

If your waste, recycling, or landscape waste is not collected on the service day by 6 pm, please contact LRS by calling 844.633.3577 or e-mailing service@lrsrecycles.com

Please include your address and what service was missed.

You can also reach out by submitting a support request  in the top right-hand section of this webpage.