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Thanksgiving trash & recycling in Chicago, IL

Holiday pickup

Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26, 2026) is a Streets and Sanitation holiday: no garbage collection citywide and no Blue Cart recycling in any recycling service area. During holiday weeks keep your carts accessible all week, because the exact service day may vary. Recycle Coach service-day reminders will alert you to holiday changes.

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Pickup changes
Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26, 2026) is a Streets and Sanitation holiday: no garbage collection citywide and no Blue Cart recycling in any recycling service area. During holiday weeks keep your carts accessible all week, because the exact service day may vary. Recycle Coach service-day reminders will alert you to holiday changes.
Turkey fryer oil & grease
We couldn't find a City of Chicago page with household cooking-oil instructions. The City's Food Scrap Drop-Off sites don't accept liquids, so don't bring oil there. Call 311 to ask before you dispose of a large amount of turkey fryer oil, and never pour it down a sink or drain.
Extra trash
Keep lids tightly closed on your black garbage cart and never leave raw garbage outside it. For an extra load of trash, arrange a pickup with your Streets and Sanitation ward superintendent before you set it out. Missing or damaged carts are replaced free through 311.
Boxes & wrapping
Break down cardboard boxes before they go in your Blue Cart, and put recyclables in loose, not bagged. Plastic bags and other film or soft plastics never go in the Blue Cart or the City's recycling drop-off centers. Empty pizza boxes can be recycled; grease marks are okay.
Tip
Blue Cart trucks can arrive as early as 7 a.m., so set your cart out in the alley or at the curb the night before.

Official sources (checked 2026-11-01): www.chicago.gov · www.chicago.gov · www.chicago.gov · www.chicago.gov · www.chicago.gov

FAQ

Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in Chicago?

Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26, 2026) is a Streets and Sanitation holiday: no garbage collection citywide and no Blue Cart recycling in any recycling service area. During holiday weeks keep your carts accessible all week, because the exact service day may vary. Recycle Coach service-day reminders will alert you to holiday changes.

How do I get rid of turkey fryer oil in Chicago?

We couldn't find a City of Chicago page with household cooking-oil instructions. The City's Food Scrap Drop-Off sites don't accept liquids, so don't bring oil there. Call 311 to ask before you dispose of a large amount of turkey fryer oil, and never pour it down a sink or drain.

What do I do with extra trash after Thanksgiving in Chicago?

Keep lids tightly closed on your black garbage cart and never leave raw garbage outside it. For an extra load of trash, arrange a pickup with your Streets and Sanitation ward superintendent before you set it out. Missing or damaged carts are replaced free through 311.

Can I recycle boxes and wrapping paper in Chicago?

Break down cardboard boxes before they go in your Blue Cart, and put recyclables in loose, not bagged. Plastic bags and other film or soft plastics never go in the Blue Cart or the City's recycling drop-off centers. Empty pizza boxes can be recycled; grease marks are okay.

Other items in Chicago

Thanksgiving trash in other cities