🏡 A Homeowner's Guide to Waste Disposal in Palatine and Cook County
Curbside rules · SWANCC drop‑off · bulky items · professional junk removal
Palatine homeowners have several options for managing household waste, from the village's curbside program to self‑hauling and professional services.
Knowing what each option offers helps you dispose of items responsibly, save time, and keep our community clean.
This guide breaks down the local landscape, with insights from trusted providers like 24-7 Junk Removal.
Curbside Pickup (Palatine)
Weekly collection for single‑family homes. Provided by Groot Industries.
- Accepts: household trash, recycling (paper, plastic, glass, metal)
- Bulky items: up to 4 per year by appointment (furniture, appliances)
- Not accepted: electronics, hazardous waste, construction debris
Weekly service
SWANCC Self‑Haul Sites
The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County operates drop‑off centers for residents.
- Accepts: electronics, appliances, scrap metal, yard waste, batteries
- Fees apply for some items (e.g., TVs, monitors)
- Proof of residency required
Hours vary by site
Professional Junk Removal
Full‑service hauling where a crew does all the lifting and loading. Ideal for bulky items, large cleanouts, or when you lack time or a truck.
- Same‑day/next‑day service (24/7 availability)
- Eco‑friendly sorting (recycling & donation)
- No heavy lifting for you
1–3 hour project
Palatine & Cook County Resources
- Curbside Bulky Item Pickup: Palatine residents can schedule up to 4 bulky item pickups per year. Call Groot at (847) 734‑7800. Items must be at the curb by 6am on collection day.
- SWANCC Drop‑Off Centers: Multiple locations including 1135 E. Oakton St, Des Plaines. Accept electronics, appliances, scrap metal, yard waste, and more. Fees apply for some items. Check swancc.org for hours.
- Household Hazardous Waste: Cook County hosts periodic HHW collection events. Paint, oil, batteries, and chemicals are NOT accepted curbside.
- Donation Centers: Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local churches accept usable furniture and goods.
- Professional Services: 24-7 Junk Removal (Schaumburg) serves Palatine and surrounding areas with eco‑friendly junk removal, demolition cleanup, and 24/7 availability.
When Professional Hauling Makes Sense
- Estate cleanouts / whole house: Mixed items—furniture, appliances, decades of accumulation. A crew can clear it in a day.
- Renovation debris: Drywall, lumber, tile—heavy and bulky. Professionals haul it directly, saving multiple trips.
- Heavy/bulky items: Hot tubs, sheds, large appliances—require special handling and equipment.
- No truck/no time: When you can't lift or don't have a way to haul.
- Eco‑conscious disposal: Companies like 24-7 Junk sort for recycling and donation, diverting over 65% from landfills.
4x bulky pickups/year
65%+ diversion with pros
Quick Decision Guide
- Daily trash/recycling: Curbside cart ✅
- Yard waste: Curbside (seasonal) or SWANCC ✅
- Single bulky item (couch, mattress): Curbside bulky pickup or professional ✅
- Estate cleanout / whole house: Professional hauling ✅
- Construction debris: Professional hauling or SWANCC (limited) ✅
- Electronics / appliances: SWANCC (fees) or professional ✅
- Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals): Cook County HHW events only