Wheaton's curbside leaf collection runs on each household's regular garbage day through the week of Dec. 7, the final week of the 2026 yard waste and organics season.
Leaves are picked up alongside garbage and recycling, according to Shaw Local. The city collects yard waste, leaves, food scraps and organic materials from the first full week of April through the second full week of December, according to the city's yard waste page.
What goes to the curb
Each bag or container needs one LRS yard waste sticker attached. The current rate is $3.76 per sticker, according to the city's garbage and recycling page.
Residents can use biodegradable paper bags or containers. The city's yard waste page lists a maximum size of 35 gallons, though a sticker-requirements table on the garbage and recycling page lists 33 gallons. Each bag or container must weigh no more than 50 pounds.
Wheaton is divided into four pickup days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Residents should place bags or containers at the curb between 7 p.m. the night before collection and 6 a.m. the day of collection.
What not to do
Blowing or raking leaves into the street is illegal in Wheaton. Leaves can clog storm sewer catch basins, block drainage and contribute to flooding, according to the city's yard waste page. Residents with a catch basin nearby can help by sweeping leaves and debris away from the grate.
Burning leaves is also prohibited within city limits.
Mulching as an alternative
A lawnmower with a mulching feature can shred leaves into small pieces. Those pieces can stay on the lawn to break down or be spread in garden beds, according to the city's yard waste page.
Where to buy stickers
Stickers are sold at several locations, including City Hall at 303 W. Wesley St., Ace Hardware at 1705 Main St., Jewel at 2031 N. Main St., Mariano's at 625 Main St. and Pete's Fresh Market at 151 Rice Lake Square. A full list is on the city's garbage and recycling webpage.
After the yard waste season ends, residents can look ahead to free Christmas tree recycling. The city's hauler, LRS, will pick up live trees at no charge during the weeks of Dec. 28, 2026, and Jan. 4, 2027, on regular garbage days. Trees must be free of decorations and not in plastic bags.
