Grid Garbage Collection

Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) finalized the implementation of efficient citywide Grid Garbage Collection System in 2013. DSS collects garbage from approximately 600,000 households in Chicago.  Pick-ups are weekly, Monday through Friday.  City crews service all single-family residences and apartment buildings of four units or less.  (others must arrange for private garbage collection). More than one million tons of garbage and recyclables are collected annually.

By moving to a grid garbage collection system, DSS reduces its average daily refuse collection truck deployment from nearly 360 trucks to less than 320 trucks each day, while using fewer crews and fuel.  As a result of the complete transition, the city is saving $18 million annually and is redirecting resources to support other service areas. 

The grid system widely used by municipalities and private refuse haulers, changes collection routes from non-linear ward geography to a system of routes bordered by main streets and natural boundaries.  The service model concentrates sanitation workers in targeted areas of the city each day and creates balanced service regions to improve daily collection performance. 

Residents who would like more information about the grid garbage collection system and related service changes are encouraged to visit the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation website at www.cityofchicago.org/dss, call 311 or contact their local district sanitation offices.

 

  • District 1/Ravenswood - Wards:  40, 46 47, 48, 49 and 50
  • District 2/Mayfair - Wards:  33, 38, 39, 41 and 45 
  • District 3/Northwest - Wards:  24, 27, 28, 29, 37
  • District 3A Homer and Kilpatrick - Wards 30, 31, 35, 36
  • District 4 - North Throop - Wards:  1, 2, 26, 32, 42, 43, 44
  • District 5 - Lawndale - Wards:  13, 14, 22, and 23
  • District 6 - 39th Street - Wards:  3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 20 and 25
  • District 7 - 52nd Street - Wards:  6, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21
  • District 8 - 103rd Street - Wards:  7, 8, 9, 10, 19 and 34
Grid Garbage Collection Map

Grid Garbage Collection Citywide Map

 Visit the pages below for more information

Services: 

Service Facts