Compost pickups will shift to an every-other-week schedule starting in December and continuing through March of 2026. The winter service schedule can be reviewed on the 2025-2026 LRS Compost Pickup Calendar. Weekly collection will resume Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Please note: the last weekly compost collection was on Wednesday, November 26, and there was no compost collection on Wednesday, December 3. 

Holiday Tree Disposal

Through the month of January, Village residents can recycle their organic holiday trees by placing them at the curb or at the end of the driveway for pick up on Wednesdays each week - at no charge! Please remove all lights, garland, and decorations. Trees must be visible, easily accessible, and loose (not in a bag or in a pile with other items). Note: Holiday trees can be placed out for collection each Wednesday. 

For all service related questions including details on collection days, billing, or acceptable materials visit the LRS website or contact LRS directly.

Missed Pickups 

Residents can report a missed pickup by contacting LRS customer service at 844.633.3577, via email at Service@LRSrecycles.com or on the LRS website.

Collection Information

Use the Know Your Neighborhood Tool to check your assigned collection day(s). Collection days are listed under "Local Services." Pick-ups take place between 6:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Containers must be out before 6:30 a.m. For backdoor service, make sure containers are outside and accessible (i.e. any gates are unlocked, etc.). Residents may place containers outside up to 12 hours before collection and must return containers to the rear or side of the home within 12 hours of pickup.

Hardship Program

Residents who are physically unable to bring containers to the curb and do not live with someone who can bring containers to the curb may apply for the hardship program. Hardship customers receive weekly backdoor service at the weekly curbside rate. The program applies to both refuse and recycling. To apply, residents can contact the Village Manager’s Office at 847-664-4010. The Village will review each request on a case-by-case basis.

Seniors Discount

LRS offers a 10% discount to customers over the age of 65. The senior citizen discount is available to qualifying customers who request the discount. Contact LRS customer service at 844.633.3577 or via email at Service@LRSrecycles.com. 

LRS Franchise Agreement Implementation

Starting September 1, 2024 Lakeshore Recycling Services (LRS) will begin servicing the Village as Northbrook's new refuse, recycling, and organics collection hauler.

The Village previously contracted with Waste Management (WM) to provide refuse, recycling, and compost (organics and/or landscape waste) collection for all single-family and some multifamily properties within the Village of Northbrook. The six year contract expired August 31, 2024. This contract was entered into between the Village and Advanced Disposal, who was subsequently purchased by Waste Management, and was amended and assigned to Waste Management by the Village Board on October 26, 2021. A Request for Proposals was issued on November 17, 2023 and closed on January 12, 2024. The Village received two qualified bids from Waste Management (WM) and Lakeshore Recycling Services (LRS).

Staff first presented to the Committee of the Whole of the Board of Trustees on September 26, 2023 regarding the next refuse & recycling franchise agreement. This meeting was largely for informational purposes and it was their consensus that the Community and Sustainability Committee of the Village Board be tasked with further review and discussion as the process continued. On January 23, 2024, the Community and Sustainability Committee held a discussion regarding the next refuse & recycling franchise agreement and provided policy direction to staff.  Following this meeting, staff developed and released a Request for Proposals (RFP) from November 17, 2023 through January 12, 2024.  The Village received two qualified bids from Waste Management and Lakeshore Recycling Services (LRS). Beginning in February, staff conducted vendor interviews with WM and LRS.

The Community & Sustainability Committee proceeded to hold meetings on May 1 and May 8, 2024 to provide further policy direction and recommend a preferred vendor. At their May 14, 2024 regular meeting, the Board of Trustees designated LRS as the Village's preferred vendor and staff proceeded to negotiate a franchise agreement, which was approved at the May 28, 2024 regular meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Public Meeting Agendas | LRS Brochure | LRS Contract | RFP | Qualified Bids| RFP Comparisons

In making this decision, the Village Board considered the the differences in proposed monthly rates, LRS' commitment to sustainability practices, and LRS' experience in implementing new contracts with several north shore communities. The Village’s current contract with LRS can be found here.

Curbside Recycling Program

Use the Know Your Neighborhood Tool to check your assigned collection day(s). Collection days are listed under "Local Services." Pick-ups take place between 6:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Containers must be out before 6:30 a.m. For backdoor service, make sure containers are outside and accessible (i.e. any gates are unlocked, etc.). Residents may place containers outside up to 12 hours before collection and must return containers to the rear or side of the home within 12 hours of pickup.

Lakeshore Recycling  provides helpful guides available online with their latest guidelines on recycling and keeping contaminates out of recycling. You can access these helpful resources here on LRS' website.

Holiday Tree Disposal

Through the month of January, Village residents can recycle their organic holiday trees by placing them at the curb or at the end of the driveway for pick up on Wednesdays each week - at no charge! Please remove all lights, garland, and decorations. Trees must be visible, easily accessible, and loose (not in a bag or in a pile with other items). Note: Holiday trees can be placed out for collection each Wednesday. 

Electronic Waste Collection

The following electronics are accepted at the Fleet Garage behind Village Hall (1227 Cedar Lane) on the first Tuesday and Saturday of each month. Tuesday hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to noon.

Accepted Electronics (Select Dates Only):

• Ink and toner cartridges
• Printers
• Printer accessories
• Lead acid batteries
• Fire extinguishers
• Thermometers
• Thermostats
• Computers (desktops, laptops, tablets OK)
• Computer accessories (mice, keyboards, speakers, HDMI cables, cords, chargers OK)
• Phones (mobile and landline phones OK)
• Televisions (LED, LCD, and older varieties OK)
  

Unacceptable Electronics:

• Refrigerators
• Air conditioners
• Humidifiers
• Microwaves

Battery and Bulb Disposal Program

The following batteries and bulbs are accepted at the Fleet Garage behind Village Hall (1227 Cedar Lane) M - F 7am - 3pm.

Accepted Items (Every Weekday):

• CFL / Incandescent lightbulbs
• LED / Fluorescent lightbulbs
• Household batteries (A, AA, AAA, D, etc.), including Lithium, NiCad and Lead Acid.

Village Hall Plastic Bag Recycling Drop-off Program

To recycle plastic bags, collection bins are located near Village Hall’s back entrance. A big thanks goes out to local Northbrook business, Aargus Plastics, Inc. for partnering with the Village for this new program. They will reuse our plastic collection to make 100% recycled plastic bags. 

Only clean and dry bags are accepted. Please remove all labels such as stickers and delivery labels.

Accepted Plastic Items:

• Grocery bags
• Ziploc bags

Unaccepted Plastic Items:

• Cereal bags
• Newspaper sleeves 
• Dry cleaning bags
• Bubble wrap
• Plastic film
• Plastic mailers, such as Amazon packaging
  

Excessive contamination from unacceptable items has occurred in this program and may result in discontinuation of the service if contamination does not reduce. If residents prefer not to sort acceptable items, all of the above listed plastic items can be recycled through the drop-off collection bins located at grocery storefronts such as Mariano's, Target, and Jewel.

Curbside Textile Recycling

The Village contracts with Simple Recycling to provide free year-round textile recycling to residents. Pickups are no longer determined by a resident's curbside recycling day, but instead must be scheduled in advance. Here are two options available for residents:

1. Go to Simple Recycling's website and enter your zip code. The system will then provide an option of available upcoming days to schedule a pickup. Once scheduled, you will receive a confirmation of the pickup and a reminder email the day prior.
2. You may call Simple Recycling Customer Service to schedule a pickup at 866-835-5068 EXT 4.

Accepted Materials through Simple Recycling:

• Textiles: clothing, bags, hats, toys, blankets, curtains, pillows in any condition
• Other: jewelry, shoes, tools, silverware, dishes, pots/pans in any condition

Northfield Township Road District Recycling Drop-off Program

The Northfield Township Road District offers additional recycling opportunities, paper shredding events, and a household hazardous waste program on a seasonal basis. The Township’s garage is located at 237 Melvin Drive. Learn more at the Northfield Township Road District’s website.

Accepted Household Items (Select Dates Only):

• Art supplies
• Batteries (all types)
• CDs and DVDs
• Clothing (usable condition)
• Hydraulic oil
• Metal
• Styrofoam blocks
• Tires
• Transmission fluid
• Flags
• Small electronics
• Therapeutic equipment (canes, crutches, standers, walkers, wheelchairs)
• Household paint (oil & latex, limited to 10 one gallon cans or 2 five gallon buckets)

Accepted Hazardous Waste Items (Select Dates Only):

• Antifreeze
• Cleaning products
• Charcoal lighter fluid
• Driveway sealant (limit 2 five gallon buckets)
• Paint thinner
• Gasoline in approved/original containers
• Pesticides

Recycling Directory By Item

Use our "How Do I Recycle This?" Guide to get the latest recycling and disposal information by item.

COMPOSTING: ALL-IN COMPOSTING & OTHER CURBSIDE PICKUP OPTIONS

Composting Collection 
Also referred to as "organics" collection, the LRS franchise agreement offers three different options residents can use for the collection of compostable materials (food scraps and yard waste). This organic material collected by LRS will be made into compost, a nutrient-rich soil amendment, and advance the goals in the Village of Northbrook's Climate Action Plan. All compostable material collection takes place on Wednesdays, regardless of your regular collection day. Curbside pick-up is each Wednesday April 1 thru November 30, then every other Wednesday from 1 December thru March 31.

1. All-In Composting Program

Beginning this May 2025, LRS will start All-In Composting in Northbrook. All households in the Northbrook corporate limits with LRS service will receive a 35-gallon LRS composting cart (with a yellow lid) for year-round disposal of yard waste and food scraps with no increase to your current bill. For more information on the All-In Composting Program, visit this link. 

With the All In Composting program, if you have more yard waste (no food scraps please) than your 35 gallon compost cart will hold, you can: 

• Place yard waste in approved paper bags along with a collection sticker purchased at authorized retailers or Village Hall, or 
• Place yard waste in a reusable personal can (metal or plastic not to exceed 32-gallons) marked with a YARD WASTE ONLY sticker (free at Village Hall) along with a collection sticker purchased at authorized retailers or Village Hall.
  
  

2. Enhanced (Subscription) Composting Program

Also referred to as Subscription Composting, this legacy program is an optional service for an additional flat rate paid annually and provides either a 65- or 96-gallon compost cart for yard waste and food scraps. With Enhanced Composting, additional yard waste bags do not require collection stickers. This is perfect for residents without a lawn service. If you are a current Enhanced (Subscription) Composting participant and would like to switch to the All In Composting, contact LRS by March 10th to have your large cart exchanged for a 35 gallon cart in April.

3. Sticker Program

If you “opt out” of All In Composting and do not participate in the Enhanced (Subscription) program, you can continue to dispose of yard waste (no food scraps please) through the Sticker Program by: 

• Placing yard waste in approved paper bags along with a collection sticker purchased at authorized retailers or Village Hall, or 
• Placing yard waste in a reusable personal can (metal or plastic not to exceed 32-gallons) marked with a YARD WASTE ONLY sticker (free at Village Hall) along with a collection sticker purchased at authorized retailers or Village Hall.

What Can Be Composted 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is composting?

After your food scraps and yard waste reach the Material Recovery Facility, they are composted through the natural process of recycling organic matter into a valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants. The resulting decomposed matter, which looks similar to fertile garden soil, is called compost and used for gardening, horticulture, and agriculture.

How can I fit composting into my routine? 

Making a plan and sticking to it is the best way to fit composting into your daily routine. For tips on how to do this, click on this Kitchen to Cart guide!

Why is the Village implementing All-In Composting?

The Village is implementing All-In Composting, through LRS, to advance the goals of the Northbrook Climate Action Plan by diverting waste that could go to the landfill to reduce greenhouse emissions.

Why is composting so important?

There are numerous reasons, but some of the most important:

1. Conserves vital landfill space so landfills won’t fill up as fast
2. Composting turns food scraps into a healthy soil amendment that can be used in many ways
3. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions (a potent greenhouse gas)

I did not opt-out of All-in Composting. How do I get the 35gal bin removed?

Residents must work directly with LRS for removal of the cart through any of the three methods

1. Online: www.LRSrecycles.com    
2. Email: Service@lrsrecycles.com
3. Phone: 844.633.3577

If I opt-out of All-In Composting, will my bill get reduced?

Similar to those residents who opt-out of recycling, there is no decrease in monthly billing for opting out of All-In Composting. 

Who is eligible for All-In Composting?

All households in incorporated Northbrook serviced by the LRS franchise agreement are eligible for the All In Composting program.

When can I start using my cart?

All-In Composting pick up begins May 7.

Do I need to be home for delivery?

No. The cart will be delivered curbside.

When will deliveries take place?

Deliveries will take place starting April 21 and will be completed by May 2.

I am out of town during delivery. What should I do?

If you are out of town during the delivery it is recommended that you ask a neighbor, friend, or family member to bring the cart up from the curb once delivered.

Do enhanced (subscription) compost customers need to take action?

Only if you would like to switch from the Enhanced (Subscription) service to the All-In program. All-In Composting provides household the collection or organic materials in one 35-gallon cart. An additional 35-gallon Composting cart will not be provided to current Enhanced / Subscription customers who currently pay an annual fee to enjoy unlimited service and a 64- or 96-gal compost cart. Current Enhanced / subscription customers who would like to continue to receive pickups of multiple bags, bundles, or personal carts without the need for stickers should remain subscribed to the program. However, if the resident can get by with a 35-gal cart year-round there may be cost savings on an individual basis.

Why should I separate food scraps for compost instead of mixing them with my other garbage or recycling? 

When you put your food waste into your regular garbage can, it gets taken to a landfill. Food is a significant component of landfills. 

Instead, you save those valuable materials from the landfill and give them a second life to support farmland when you compost. Compost reduces the need to use artificial, chemical-heavy fertilizers. Also, the economic benefits associated with compost for a farmer or home gardener include reducing the need for water, fertilizer, and pesticides.

What can I compost? What can I NOT compost?

Please refer to the LRS bill insert for compostable materials. You can find a copy of that insert here.

What if I don’t have food scraps to fill up an entire bin?

The bin doesn’t have to be packed to take it out to the curb. All-in community-wide composting will allow you to compost only as often as necessary. Yard waste like leaves, weeds, sticks and grass clippings can also be added to your new cart.

Home Hazardous Waste (HHW) Service

LRS collaborates with a trusted hazardous waste provider to collect hazardous materials directly from your home. LRS' partnership ensures that many of the materials collected are recycled, with proper disposal for any remaining materials. Visit the LRS website for a list of acceptable items.

How does HHW work exactly?

Beginning April 1, 2026, residents can submit an HHW pickup request using the HHW web portal. The online portal provides a list of eligible items to select from, with instructions and information regarding the collection. After your request is received and scheduled, a kit will be mailed containing clear, thick plastic bags with a reminder of accepted items and confirmation of your collection date. You will be contacted with 48 hours to confirm your pickup day.

How to submit a Request

Starting April 1, residents can submit requests using the LRS HHW web portal. After your request is received and scheduled, a kit will be mailed containing clear, thick plastic bags with a reminder of accepted items and confirmation of your collection date.   

What are the 2026 dates for HHW Service?

Through the franchise agreement, LRS will offer three collection opportunities in 2025 with the 2025 schedule as follows:

• Spring 2026
  • April sign-up (starting April 1)
  • May collection
• Summer 2026
  • July sign-up
  • August collection
• Fall 2026
  • October sign-up
  • November collection

How can I learn more about the HHW Service?

Questions related to the HHW service including scheduling, eligible items, and collection information should be directed to LRS Customer Service at 844.633.3577 or Service@LRSrecycles.com. 

New Rates Effective September 1, 2025

The new LRS rates effective September 1, 2025 are found here. Continue reading this article for more information on how CPI and the one-year Village subsidy affects rates.  

CPI Increase. The current Village Refuse Franchise Agreement for residential properties includes an annual rate review tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) with a rate increase of no more than 5% even if CPI is greater than 5%. On September 1 the base rate for refuse collection will increase by 3.7% based on the March 2025 CPI for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin Area.  

Village Subsidy. Residents should also note that the one-time Village subsidy for refuse collection ends in August 2025. As background, the Village allocated a total subsidy of up to $690,000 to reduce resident refuse collection user fees for the period of September 2024 through August 2025. Referred to as a rate smoothing mechanism, the subsidy was a one-time reduction to user fees paid by households for refuse, recycling, and composting. Historically, the Village has not used property or sales taxes to subsidize this private service. However, the Village was aware that the overall cost of refuse, recycling, and compost collection service would increase significantly in September of 2024 when the previous Franchise Agreement for services expired. Factors that influenced the increased cost of service include:   

• The prior Franchise Agreement for refuse, recycling, and compost (also referred to as yard waste) collection was held by Waste Management. That Agreement was awarded to Advanced Disposal in 2018 and assumed by Waste Management in 2021 when they purchased Advanced Disposal. That Agreement ended in August 2024 and did not adequately account for the true cost of the services provided.
  
  
• Increasing regional refuse collection rates have been driven by increasing costs for labor, fuel, and equipment - especially during and after the COVID pandemic. Neighboring communities who bid refuse services after 2018 experienced these increases.

In 2023, with the approaching end of the Waste Management agreement on August 31, 2024, the Village issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) and closely observed other community rates. RFP responses were received from both Waste Management and LRS. Both Waste Management and LRS bids for refuse and recycling services contained substantial increases in the rates over what was charged in 2023/2024. In the end, LRS was lower in pricing than Waste Management and deemed equal or better in service quality. Ultimately, LRS was selected as the lowest bidder for the service, despite the higher prices for services than the previous Franchise Agreement.

I addition to the known increase in residents’ costs of refuse collection, the Village Board was also aware that the Village had available surplus funds because of cost savings from other Village services in the prior fiscal year. The Board decided to return those tax dollars to residents via a subsidy on a portion of the actual cost of franchised refuse collection for the period of September 2024 through August 2025. The $690,000 allocated for the rate smoothing mechanism resulted in a reduction in user fees and saved households up to $60 for the first year of the Agreement depending on the collection service selected (i.e. bin size and number of weekly refuse collections).

New Rates. The September 1, 2025 rate increase reflects both the annual CPI increase and the end of the Village subsidy. Combined, rates range from $81 to $216 per quarter which is an increase of $16 to $27 per quarter (or $1.34 - $2.25 per week) depending on the service level selected.

History of the Village Refuse Franchise. On May 28, 2024, the Village awarded a Franchise Agreement to LRS beginning September 1, 2024 for refuse, recycling, and compost collection at residential property in the Village. This followed a competitive bidding process which reviewed both service and lowest cost proposals of all bidders. 

The prior Franchise Agreement for refuse, recycling, and compost (sometimes referred to as yard waste) collection was held by Waste Management. Waste Management assumed the Franchise Agreement awarded to Advanced Disposal in 2018 after they purchased Advanced Disposal and received Village approval and assignment of the Franchise Agreement on October 26, 2021. 

The 2018 Advanced Disposal Franchise Agreement was a renewal of a prior Agreement and included a 2% rate increase. Following Waste Management’s assumption of the Franchise Agreement in 2021, increasing costs of labor, fuel, and equipment - especially during COVID - impacted costs throughout the region. 

In 2023, with the approaching end of the Waste Management agreement on August 31, 2024, the Village issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) and closely observed other community rates. RFP responses were received from both Waste Management and LRS. The Village entered into negotiations, initially with both LRS and Waste Management, related to the bid proposals. Negotiations included discussion of service options that residents were accustomed to and pricing from each bidder for similar services and similar bin sizes in order to make a true cost comparison of the two proposals.

Both Waste Management and LRS bids for refuse and recycling services contained substantial increases in the rate over what was charged in 2023/2024. In the end, LRS was lower in pricing than Waste Management and deemed equal or better in service quality. Ultimately, LRS was selected as the lowest bidder for the service, despite the increase in costs.

RATES FAQ

Why did the Village change waste haulers?
Northbrook’s previous Franchise Agreement had a six-year term and was awarded in 2018 with an end date of August 31, 2024.   That Agreement was with Advanced Disposal who sold their company in 2021 to Waste Management.  The Village took competitive bids for services prior to the end of the Agreement and received two bids – one from LRS and one from Waste Management.   LRS submitted a bid with costs/rates lower than Waste Management – while both bids reflected substantial increases in the costs/rates over the 2018 Agreement.   Both bids reflected similar services, with LRS offering some improvements  – such as new carts.    In the end, LRS was awarded a five-year Agreement that started September 1, 2024 due to the lower costs than the other bid.  

Why will costs go up in September?
The five-year Agreement allows for a rate increase informed by CPI each September.  In 2025, this change reflects the annual Consumer Price (inflation) adjustment of 3.7% and the end of a temporary Village subsidy which the Village used over the first twelve months to smooth out the transition to a new Agreement by subsidizing a portion of the cost for the first year. This "rate smoothing" is now ending, so residents are seeing the full monthly rate on their bills starting this September. 

What is the CPI increase?
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment this year is 3.7%, based on the March CPI. This is a regular, contract-approved increase to keep up with inflation. Future increases in the rates for service will be within 3% - 5% based on the March CPI.

Where can I see more information on the new rates?
Updated rates can be found on the Northbrook specific LRS webpage under “Program Rates.”

How can I lower my bill?
To discuss the options, contact LRS Customer Service at 844.633.3577 or email Service@LRSrecycles.com.

• Right-size your service – Track how much trash, recycling, and compost you set out each week. If your trash bin is rarely full, consider downsizing to a 65-gallon or 35-gallon trash bin. 
• Recycle and compost more – Diverting materials from your trash bin can help reduce refuse needs, benefiting both the environment and your household costs.
• Consider pickup frequency – Households with twice-a-week refuse pickup may save by switching to once-a-week service.
  Senior discount available – Residents age 65 and older can sign up for a senior discount.