Recycling for the City of Galesburg is contracted through Waste Management, Inc., who collects and processes the recyclables. Residents pay for this curbside recycling service through their quarterly refuse charge which is included on the residents’ water bills. Curbside recycling is picked up bi-weekly. Yearly, Waste Management provides a calendar to all residents that shows the dates for the every other week collection. Residents may also input their address on the City's Recycling Map to determine which route is theirs and to view the associated collection calendar. A map of the City's recycling schedule as well as each recycling route calendar are located in the Community Development Document Center under Garbage Services.

Every residence is provided with a green and yellow rollout cart for the bi-weekly recycling pick-up. 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. Check out the FAQ section below for detailed information on the carts.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Recycling Items

The following may be placed in the recycling cart for bi-weekly pick up:

1. Glass Bottles and Jars
  • Acceptable
    • Clear
    • Brown
    • Green Glass
  • Unacceptable
    • Drinking glasses
    • Ceramics
    • Window glass
    • Pyrex
    • Mirrors
    • Crystal
    • Any glass which has been broken
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. However, waxed surfaces, such as orange juice boxes are not acceptable for recycling.

3. Aluminum/Steel/Bi-Metal Cans
All beverage and food cans are acceptable. Please completely remove on the end of the can and discard it. Beverage cans are the exception. Rinse food debris from the cans.

4. Other
The following items are accepted may be placed in the recycling cart for bi-weekly pick up:

  • Newspapers and their inserts, Magazines/ Catalogs, Mail and computer paper.  
  • Corrugated cardboard/paperboard (Ex. cereal boxes. Please remove the plastic liner before recycling.)
  • Phone books

Note: Please do not bag ANY recyclables, they must be loose in the bin. Plastic bags are NOT recyclable and any bagged recyclables will not be accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Household generated recyclables, including newspapers and inserts, magazines, catalogs, junk mail and envelopes, copy/computer paper, phonebooks, paperback books, paperboard, shredded paper (in clear plastic bag), flattened corrugated cardboard, cans (steel, tin, bimetal and aluminum), glass bottles and jars (clear or colored), plastic containers grades #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, and #7, such as water and soda bottles.
You can place extra refuse in cans or containers next to your cart on your service day.
Waste Management owns and maintains the recycling and refuse carts.
  • Recycling carts are provided to each residence at no cost.
  • Residents have the option to rent a 96-gallon roll-out cart for refuse from Waste Management.

If you move, the cart should be left at the home for the next resident. If your cart breaks or becomes damaged through normal wear and tear, Waste Management will repair or replace the cart. If you move and do not have a Recycling cart at your new residence, contact Waste Management and they will have a new one delivered. Carts that are damaged by negligence or abuse will be replaced at the homeowner’s expense.

To set up a refuse cart rental or to request a replacement or repair, please contact Waste Management at 309/343-0256.