Refuse & Recycling
2026 Free Container Exchange Period (March 27–April 24)
The Village of Fox Lake will offer a free container exchange period from March 27 through April 24, 2026. During this time, residents may request a different size garbage or recycling container at no cost, with all exchanges completed throughout May on the residents' service day.
To submit a request, email refuse@foxlake.org and include:
Service address
Type of container (green‑top garbage or yellow‑top recycling)
Current container size
Requested container size
Important Notes:
The $50 exchange fee is waived during this period; however, service rates still apply based on the size of the garbage container selected.
Recycling containers:
Default size is 65‑gallon yellow‑top.
Residents may upgrade to 95‑gallon or downgrade from 95 to 65.
Recycling container size does not affect service rates, as recycling is included in the refuse package.
Garbage containers (green‑top) are available in 35, 65, and 95 gallons, and rates apply per the Village website.
Village staff will forward all approved requests to Waste Management.
Adjusted applicable rates will go into effect as of June 1.
If you do not receive your container by the end of May, please contact Waste Management directly at foxlake@wm.com.
Current service rates are available on this page.
Change in Service Day Update:
As of October 27, 2025
Fox Lake residents were sent letters from Waste Management (WM) about new garbage pickup days. The letter includes your new WM Customer ID and instructions to log into wm.com/mywm to check service day updates.
Need help? Call Village Hall at 847-587-2151 to confirm your WM Customer ID or email foxlake@wm.com.
Thank you for your cooperation as we work with WM to improve service in our community!
Fox Lake partners with Waste Management of Illinois, Inc. to provide reliable refuse, recycling, yard waste, and special collection services. This contract was awarded through a competitive selection process to ensure quality service and fair rates for our community. The 5-year contract was awarded in November 2024.
For service day information, visit www.wm.com/mywm and log in with your WM Customer ID.
Rates
| Refuse Service Description | Rates |
|---|---|
| 95-Gallon - Single Family Home | $27.76 Rate/Household/Month* |
| 65-Gallon - Single Family Home | $25.31 Rate/Household/Month |
| 35-Gallon - Single Family Home | $23.75 Rate/Household/Month |
| 65-Gallon - Multi-Family Home | $25.31 Rate/Household/Month* |
| 35-Gallon - Multi-Family Home | $23.75 Rate/Household/Month |
| 35-Gallon - Multi-Family Home - Leisure Village ONLY | $23.75 Rate/Household/Month* |
| Dumpster - Multi-Family Home | $27.24 Rate/Household/Month* |
*Default Rates
Dumpster - Multi-Family Homes include Vacation Village, Shorewood Manor, Woodhill Bay, Diamond Harbor, and Hidden Glen
Monthly service rates are based on container size and household type. An additional $0.62 per household is added to the base Waste Management rate to cover the Village’s administrative fee per the Village Ordinance. Per the contract, rates increase annually on November 1.
Other Available Services & Rates
| Service | Rate |
|---|---|
| Additional Toter Lease (any size) | $4.00 Rate/Toter |
| Excess Container Fee | $3.60 Rate/Sticker |
| White Good Collection | $50.00 Rate/Item |
| Landscape & Food Waste Subscription | $166.92 Rate/Year |
| Landscape & Food Waste Sticker | $3.43 Rate/Sticker |
| Toter Exchange Fee (outside of the free period*) | $50.00 Rate/Toter |
Yard Waste stickers are available for purchase at the Village Hall - Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Refuse & Recycling Toters
New to Fox Lake?
If you're a new resident, please call the Village of Fox Lake Utility Billing Department at (847) 587-3945 to confirm your toter size and ensure your billing is set up correctly.
Toter Exchange
Refuse Toter Exchange
Residents may exchange their refuse toter once per year during a 30-day free exchange period, announced annually by the Village of Fox Lake and Waste Management. Exchanges outside this window are available for a $50 fee.
Changing toter size may affect your monthly refuse rate. To request a different size or ask questions, contact the Village at refuse@foxlake.org or (847) 587-3942.
Recycling Toter Exchange
All households receive a 65-gallon recycling toter. Residents may upgrade to a 95-gallon toter during the annual 30-day free exchange period at no cost. Exchanges outside this window are available for a $50 fee.
To request a recycling toter change, contact refuse@foxlake.org or (847) 587-3942.
Recycling
Recycling service is included in your refuse rate, and each household receives a 65-gallon recycling toter with a yellow lid by default. Residents may upgrade to a 95-gallon toter during the annual free exchange period or pay a $50 fee for off-cycle changes.
To ensure effective recycling, all items must be clean, dry, loose (not bagged), and unshredded. Please refer to the chart below for a full list of accepted and non-accepted items.
As of 2025, paper and plastic cups are also accepted—plastic cups must be made of polypropylene (PP), and all cups must be empty with lids, straws, and stoppers removed.
WM encourages residents to follow three simple rules to improve recycling outcomes:
Recycle bottles, cans, paper, and cardboard
Keep food and liquid out of your recycling
No loose plastic bags or bagged recyclables
By recycling properly, you help give materials a second life and support growing domestic markets for reused materials. For tips, flyers, and sorting guides, visit www.wm.com/recycleright
Recyclables include but are not limited to the following:
| Aluminum Cans | Newspaper | PET bottles w/the symbol #1 - w/screw tops only |
| HDPE plastic bottles w/the symbol #2 (milk, H20 bottles, detergent & shampoo, etc.) | Uncoated paperboard (ex., cereal boxes, food & snack boxes) | |
| PP plastic bottles, cups & tubs w/symbol #5 - Empty, no lids or straws | Uncoated printing, writing & office paper | Steel & tin cans |
| Old corrugated containers/cardboard (uncoated) | Magazines, glossy inserts & pamphlets | Glass food & beverage containers - brown, clear or green |
Non-recyclables include but are not limited to the following:
| Plastic bags & bagged materials (even if containing a recyclable) | Microwavable trays | Porcelain & ceramics |
| Light bulbs | Soiled paper, including paper plates, cups & pizza boxes | Expanded polystyrene |
| Glass & metal cookware/bakeware | Hoses, cords & wires | Flexible plastic or film packaging & multi-laminated materials |
| Mirrors, windows, or auto glass | Coated cardboard | Plastics not listed above, including but not limited to those w/symbols #3, #4, #6, #7, unnumbered & utensils |
| Coat hangers | Household appliances & electronics | Yard waste, construction debris, and wood |
| Needles, syringes, IV bags (other medical supplies) | Textiles, cloth, or any fabric (bedding, pillows, sheets, etc.) | Napkins, paper towels, tissues, paper plates |
| Food waste & liquids, containers containing such items | Excluded Materials or containers which contained Excluded Materials | Propane tanks & Batteries |
| Any paper Recyclable materials or pieces of paper Recyclable less than 4" in size in any dimension | Cartons | Aseptic Containers |
Bulk Items
Residents may place one bulk item—such as a couch or small table—at the curb on their regular waste collection day at no additional charge, provided it weighs no more than 45 pounds and can be lifted by one person. Smaller bulk items may be placed inside a cart or container. Items like large landscape waste, electronics, white goods, and tires are not considered bulk and require a special pick-up scheduled in advance. Carpet and padding must be bundled and not exceed 4 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet. For health and safety, mattresses and box springs must be wrapped in plastic or placed in a sealed plastic bag. If you need immediate or oversized bulk item removal, contact Waste Management directly to schedule a special collection or order a dumpster. Full payment is required at the time of scheduling.
Unacceptable Items
| Air Conditioners | Dehumidifiers | Dyers | Freezers |
| Dishwashers | Freezers | Furnaces | Water Softeners |
| Refrigerators | Stoves | Washers | Hot Water Heaters |
Please contact Waste Management for White Good Disposal as they can be arranged to haul away some specified White Good items when scheduled and approved for a $50.00 fee per item. Please call Waste Management to plan for these items in advance. You can reach them at 1-800-796-9696 or log online at www.wm.com
Keep in mind when setting out approved White Good items for pick up items such as refrigerators, freezers and other similar items must have their doors removed to prevent entrapment and have the freon (CFC’s) removed prior to curbside disposal, and all water tanks must be drained.
Electronics
On January 1, 2012, Public Act 97-0287 was enacted, thereby prohibiting the disposal of electronic items in trash or recycling containers. This Act prohibits the following items from landfills (not limited to):
| Computer Mouse | Computers | DVD Players & Recorders | Fax Machines |
| Keyboards | Monitors | Portable Digital Music Players | Printers |
| Printers | Scanners | Small Servers | Televisions |
| VCRS | Video Game Systems |
Please contact SWALCO for your electronic recycling needs at (847) 377-4950.
- What day is my garbage/recycling picked up?
-
Service days changed for some Fox Lake residents as of October 27, 2025. Garbage and recycling services in Fox Lake are provided by Waste Management. Pickup days vary by address. Call 800-796-9696 or Email foxlake@wm.com. Log in at www.wm/mywm with your WM Customer ID to view your schedule.
- Will pickup be delayed due to holidays or weather?
-
Yes. Service is delayed by one day following these holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Weather-related delays will be shared via the Village alert system and social media.
- How do I report a missed pickup?
-
Contact WM at 800-796-9696 or foxlake@wm.com. You can also reach the Village refuse liaison at 847-587-3942 or refuse@foxlake.org.
- How do I dispose of a bulk item?
-
One bulk item is included with your regular service. Just place it at the curb with your garbage on your scheduled pickup day; no need to schedule in advance.
- What materials are accepted in curbside recycling?
-
Recyclables must be clean, dry, and loose (not bagged). Accepted items include:
Paper, newspaper, mail, magazines
Cardboard and uncoated paperboard (e.g., cereal boxes)
Aluminum, steel, and tin cans
Glass bottles and jars (brown, clear, green)
Plastic bottles and tubs labeled #1, #2, or #5 with screw tops
NEW: Paper and plastic cups (no lids, straws, or foam)
🚫 Not accepted: plastic bags, food-soiled items, Styrofoam™, coated cardboard, electronics, textiles, yard waste, and containers under 4".
- Can I recycle plastic bags, foam containers, or pizza boxes?
-
A: No. These items are not accepted in curbside recycling:
Plastic bags (even if containing recyclables)
Foam containers (Styrofoam™)
Pizza boxes (due to food residue)
- What items are prohibited in trash or recycling bins?
-
Electronics, hazardous materials, medical waste, and certain household items are strictly prohibited. These include TVs, computers, syringes, propane tanks, batteries, and appliances like refrigerators and air condition.
- Do I need to rinse containers before recycling?
-
Yes. Please empty all liquids and remove food residue before placing containers in your recycling bin. Clean, dry recyclables help prevent contamination and ensure proper sorting.
- How do I prepare yard waste or food scraps for pickup?
-
From April 1 to November 30, place yard waste and food scraps curbside by 6:00 a.m. on your service day. Use one of the following:
Biodegradable paper bags (max 32 gallons)
Metal or plastic cans (max 32 gallons)
Bundles tied with biodegradable string (max 4 ft long, 24 in diameter, 50 lbs)
Only approved containers with a WM sticker (or subscription service) will be collected.
- Can I request a different size toter?
-
Yes. Each April, residents have a 30-day free exchange request period. Approved requests are fulfilled in May. Outside this window, container exchanges are available for a $50 fee.
- How many toters am I allowed?
-
Each residence may have up to three containers total (any combination of garbage, recycling, or yard waste) as permitted by Village Code.
- How do I dispose of electronics, paint, or hazardous waste?
-
These items cannot go in trash or recycling bins.
Electronics: Contact SWALCO at 847-377-4950 for drop-off options.
Paint: Dry latex paint can go in the trash; oil-based paint must be taken to a hazardous waste site.
Hazardous waste: Use SWALCO’s Household Chemical Waste Program for safe disposal.
- What’s the process for white goods (appliances)?
-
One appliance (e.g., refrigerator, washer, air conditioner) may be placed curbside once per week with 48-hour advance notice and pre-payment. Schedule pickup by logging into your WM account at www.wm.com or calling 800-796-9696. Appliances must be drained and have doors or hazardous components removed.
- What are the monthly service rates?
-
Rates vary based on household size and container selection. All homes start with a standard toter, and residents may request a size change once annually in April (fulfilled in May). For current rates, please visit the Refuse & Recycling | Fox Lake, IL - Official Website or contact the Village directly.
- Who do I contact for billing questions?
-
For billing questions related to refuse and recycling services, please contact the Village of Fox Lake Utility Billing Department at 847-587-3945.
- Is there an app or online portal to manage my service?
-
Yes. Residents can visit www.wm/mywm.com to view service details using their WM Customer ID. Billing is managed by the Village and included in your bi-monthly water/sewer bill. You can view and pay bills via PSN, though it is not a Village-managed portal.
- Where can I find recycling guides or flyers?
-
Visit www.wm.com/recycleright for downloadable recycling guides, flyers, and sorting tips. You can also check the Village of Fox Lake Refuse & Recycling page for updates and local service detail
- How do I use the “What Goes Where” search tool?
-
Visit www.wm.com/recycleright and enter an item name to see if it belongs in recycling, trash, or requires special disposal. The tool provides clear, local guidance to help you sort correctly.
- What should I know about refuse and recycling rates?
-
Monthly service rates are based on container size and household type. An additional $0.62 per household is added to the base Waste Management rate to cover the Village’s administrative fee. Per the contract, rates increase annually on November 1.