The City's contractor, Waste Management, Inc., collects and processes the recyclables. They also collect the yard waste and refuse. Galesburg residents may place their refuse, yard waste and recycling out at the curb on their refuse collection day.
Curbside Recycling
The City of Galesburg initiated a weekly curbside recycling program in November of 1996. Before that time, residents’ recycling options were to use a drop-off or pay for a subscription curbside recycling program. Galesburg residents pay for curbside recycling service through their quarterly refuse charge included on the residents’ water bills.
Beginning in 2013, every residence is provided with a
green and yellow roll out cart for the purpose of collecting recyclables bi-weekly. This cart is the property of Waste Management and should not be used for any other purpose. The cart should be left at the residence upon vacating the property. In the recycling cart residents can place specific containers, jars and cans. Lids should be removed and discarded and all containers, jars, and cans should be rinsed. Labels may be left on the containers.
The following may be placed in the recycling cart for bi-weekly pick up:
1. Glass Bottles and Jars
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Acceptable
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Unacceptable
- Drinking glasses
- Ceramics
- Window glass
- Pyrex
- Mirrors
- Crystal
- Any glass which has been broken
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2. Plastic Containers
Those coded with a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 on the bottom are accepted. Just rinse and recycle. Labels may be left on the container.
3. Aluminum/Steel/Bi Metal cans
All beverage and food cans are acceptable. Please completely remove on end of the can and discard. Beverage cans are the exception. Rinse food debris from the cans.
The following may be bagged and placed in the recycling cart for bi-weekly pick up:
- Newspapers and their inserts
- Magazines/catalogs
- Corrugated cardboard/paperboard
- Junk mail/computer paper
- Phone books (collected during January and February)
Examples of paperboard include cereal boxes and gift boxes. Remove plastic liners. Waxed surfaces, such as orange juice boxes, and gift wrap are not acceptable for recycling.
Electronics Recycling Drop-Off
The following items are prohibited for disposal in Illinois landfills and must be disposed of at an approved recycling center:
· Cable or satellite receiver
· Computer
· Computer monitor
· Electronic keyboard
· Electronic mouse
· Digital converter box
· DVD recorder or player
· Fax machine
· Portable digital music player
· Printer
· Scanner
· Small-scale server
· Television
· Video game console
· VCR recorder
Residential Self-Serve Drop Off
The electronics mentioned above plus small appliances (no air conditioner or large appliances) are accepted free of charge. This is a self-serve program meaning staff at the drop off facility cannot unload electronics. You can take items to Waste Management at 1360 S. Henderson Street, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Business Pick up
Schedule a pick up by calling the Tri-County Regional Collection facility at 309/331-4782. There is a fee for this service based on the weight of the electronics collected.
Recycle and Win Cash
The first full week of the month residents can win $25 cash for recycling. Every month, the Finance Department randomly selects addresses. If a recycling bin is out with recyclables at the address they could win $25 in cash.
Paint Recycling
From May through October, Galesburg’s Walmart will accept paint and varnishes for recycling on the third Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. If disposed of at curb, it must be solidified. Use kitty litter to absorb large quantities of paint or remove the lid and let dry or evaporate before setting at the curb next to trash for pick up.