We switched to Illini Recycling after months of missed pickups from GFL. Illini dropped off new bins right away and have been faithfully picking up on time since. We're thrilled to have reliable garbage hauler! read more

We've had Illini's service for several years and have had no issues with service or general communication by email regarding holiday schedules. However, if you have an issue and you call, beware. The supervisor I was connected with repeatedly cut me off, repeating her well-rehearsed responses, including "That didn't happen" and continued to talk over me when I tried to further explain. After seeing numerous other reviews on multiple other websites describing the same issue of extraordinarily rude communication, I understand this was not an isolated incident just with us, but is what you can expect if you call with an issue. read more

Don't call in with any questions because the ladies who answer the phones are rude. If there was a better option I get different garbage service. read more

Good prices. Very reliable. We recently started using them again, after we switched to another waste hauler because we liked Fridays for our pickup day. The other hauler has increased prices multiple times and Illini is not $10 per month lower, are more reliable and the pickup day change is no longer significant factor. Very happy with Illini recycling! Highly recommended read more

I was talking to a friend in another state about his horrible trash hauler. I realized I am pretty happy with Illini. They have missed a pickup a time or 2. I call when truck is in area. They send the truck back by. They don't always pickup the things I want to throw out. Turns out mattresses and wood from kitchen renovations are not normal trash and cost extra. There is another trash hauler in area that dumps their trash in a landfill that sits over a local aquifer. I am not much of a 'green' person. Even dogs know not to poop in their beds though. They charge bimonthly. So 54$ every other month. Other company started low, then slowly increased price. While accepting new customers at lower price. read more

The customer service team is friendly and helpful! They do a great job of communicating with customers which is a step up from other companies I've worked with. Their pick up crew is kind and always respectful. Great company to work with. read more

We've been using Illini Recycling for a few months now and we have zero complaints. They arrive early in the morning on pick-up day and they actually take their time putting the trash into the compactor. The drivers also don't throw your garbage/recycling cans just anywhere. They nicely place them right where you left them for pick-up. Awesome. While on my morning walks I've seen them out and about collecting. They don't rush what they're doing, rather they take their time. I appreciate that. Also, they're great about picking up yard waste. You need to call them the Wednesday before by 4pm to put your address on their pick-up list. You must have a, Illini Recycling sticker on your bag ($3) and they'll gladly collect your yard materials. Great services and the monthly fee is very reasonable. Illini also provides the nice 96 gal. toter when you sign up for their services at no extra charge. There's no cost to deliver the toters, either. Note: if you also want a recycling toter (at no charge) you must specifically request this. They don't automatically offer to give you one. I'm sure our cans were used prior to us receiving them, but you'd never know it. They looked brand new. They did an excellent job of cleaning them up for us, their next clients (not that it matter because you're just dumping trash in them, but it shows they care about their assets). Thanks, Illini Recycling. read more

It started out great, but then I got to see what the people were talking about. The short version is that the people who run this company are poor communicators and their emotional intelligence is significantly lagging. This seems to be a common theme for many people who have issues with them. "The issue isn't the issue, the way you handle the issue is what becomes the issue." The way they handled a recent issue with me was unprofessional and nearly degrading. I think that in business the business owner has a duty to be open to and incorporate feedback. I had an interaction with Reese, a couple of weeks ago about yard waste. I took responsibility for my part, apologized, and explained my lack of knowledge surrounding the issue. I attempted to work with her on getting some insight from them what they expect from me as a customer because their website does not mention anything about the law that she is referencing, and it was not even mentioned in their FAQs. Unfortunately, I had to prompt her at least 3 times about her tone and the way she communicated with me which caused a great deal of frustration for me. To her credit, she attempted to correct herself, but the more we talked the more she became unprofessional, this lagging emotional intelligence. Ultimately, I reported them to the Better Business Bureau in an attempt to get them to change their website to inform customers that yard waste cannot be intermixed with trash, and cite the law surrounding it. This change will help them in the long run because with their poor customer service at least they can say they informed people. Their response to the BBB is that it is unreasonable for them make such a change, and that it's the customer's responsibility to figure out the laws because "ignorance of the law is no excuse." Well you know who does mention on their website that you can't intermingle trash and yard wast, ABC Sanitary. People should give them a try. PS. During the initial phone call with Reese, I agreed to be charged for a supplementary pickup for $10. I went out pretty early around 6am to remove the yard waste because they usually pick up my trash at about 12pm. Well, per their response to the BBB, they came at 3:57am. Had Reese communicated that they will likely come early in the morning since it's outside of their normal route it would have avoided a subsequent call and more confusion. Had she even communicated this at the subsequent call when I told her I went out at 6am to remove the yard waste it would have diffused the situation much quicker, This is why I say they are poor communicators. In regard to the $10 fee, to their credit, I was not charged for the subsequent pick up, but I imagine that it was as a result of me reporting them to the BBB because I was initially told by Reese that they would be charging me regardless because they had to come out. read more

These guys are the best. Awesome customer service, and always reliable!

If you want a subpar service with loads and loads of gas-lighting customer service, this is the place for you! But if you're a greater-than with an inkling of intelligence, I would not do business here. read more

I have had Illini recycling for over 8 months. I haven't had a problem. Trash gets picked up every week. A payment was missed (their end) I called about the 3 dollar charge and it was taken care of right away. I am satisfied. read more

There has been a large truck in reverse and beeping since 640 am, blocking our whole residential street. The beeping has been going on for well over 20 minutes - all before 7 am on a business day. I would call to ask if they could have waited until after 7 am, but their office hours are 9 am-4 pm. Unacceptable. read more

If I could give 0 stars I would of. The front office staff is argumentative, they do not show up on regularly scheduled routes, they will not have extra trash pickups in the same week, even if you schedule said extra pickup, these people do not care about your issues and do not value your business. DO NOT USE!!! read more

The customer service is so unfriendly I am surprised they are still in business. You think it would be simple, pay money and they pick up your trash. No. But great if you want garbage sitting in front of your house for weeks! read more

Very disappointed in Illini Recyling. I've had several problems with their front desk not providing the right or timely information and calling me back. I've had trash services that were missed and I was recently charged for a service that was never rendered after several attempts to work with them on a pickup. Would not recommend. read more

I've tried two other companies and have now been with Illini Recycling for three years. They are responsive and I can honestly say they are very reliable. I call if I have questions and feel that I've been assisted promptly. The other two companies won't be getting a good review from me. read more

Do not use these people. They are some of the most stubborn, impolite people I've come across, especially for a private business trying to make money. Spend a little more and get actual good service. read more

We have had Illini Recycling for the past two years and absolutely love them. They are incredibly reliable & have quickly fixed any minor issues we've had (forgot to give us a recycling bin when we first signed up). The rates are low and competitive & have stayed the same the entire time we've had their service. Also, the drivers are very friendly & always wave. read more

Never have I ever dealt with such rude customer service. I believe it was Cindi whom I spoke with. Long story short, my husband and I were moving out of our home in Champaign and had a larger than usual trash pickup. We had previously paid extra for Illini to dispose of an old sofa of ours, so I called to see if this would be possible for the extra waste we had for our final pickup. Cindi was rude, condescending, and acted as though I was asking for something outrageous. I called several days before trash day in order to give plenty of notice, and was aggressively grilled about the specific details of our load and told that what I was asking was "impossible," yet in the end she acquiesced. Honestly there are so many choices in CU, don't waste your time with Illini Recycling. read more

I don't have the honor of Recycling in my little Village I love in supposedly because according to my landlord claims that even though the recycling is included in the fee (according to the Village of Thomasboro secretary; Dian) he pays for trash. Said landlord whom I have great admiration for, says his trash fees will increase if we 2 neighbors are interested in and do recycle and go to Illini Recycling and other places to RECYCLE! Such a pain for me now since I don't have a vehicle!!!!!! read more

Terrible Service. A complete disappointment. My family and I just recently moved to an area serviced by Illini Recycling. After 2 weeks of not receiving our trash container and calling multiple times inquiring about it, we finally received it, however, we received it damaged. The lid of the container is broken from one end to the other, this allows water, snow and other precipitation to enter the container. We called several times to have have the lid replaced, again with no success. After calling yet again, we explained to them that we would be canceling our service at the end of our paid term. We were met with the statement, "well you do know we're the only people that service that area". I was astonished that a local family owned business would respond so rudely. They have reacted in a manner that is in complete contradiction to the mission statement they present on their website. Illini Recycling have been nothing but rude and less than accommodating. This company doesn't deserve our hard earned money. If you don't have to use them, we wouldn't recommend it. read more

This is absolutely the worst waste disposal company I have ever had to deal with. In only two months they have missed every other pick up day and then they leave half of the trash on my property, when they do come. When you call their offices, the lady in the office is unapologetically rude and threatened to charge me if they have to make a return to pick up my trash. I have washed my hands with them, and when I called to cancel service, they still weren't professional or remorseful. Do yourself a favor, if you are looking for recycling or trash disposal services, DO NOT HIRE THIS COMPANY! read more

I am so disappointed I chose to use this service because it was locally owned and operated! I have just moved and certainly explained to the person on the phone that there would be extra trash! Soooo, today was my first and I might add my last pick up with Illini Recycling. I put out what is to me trash but only half of what I had put out was picked up. So, I called there office saying wait I had told you I was moving in from out of town and would you believe......she actually wanted to call me a liar! Now come on that is something I never ever do! Proceeded to tell me that I never told her that there would be extra trash......seriously! Granted I haven't moved for a very long time so I guess they consider you shouldn't have extra trash oh, and I should have called to schedule an extra pick up for the excess trash. Again, seriously! So my one and only pickup with this company is now at an end. Would I recommend someone who wants to call me a liar........wants to argue with me telling me I never told her this......so, my recommendations for this company is an ABSOLUTELY NO, do not do business with them unless you record your conversation! read more

For me, Illini Recycling is a simple, straight forward, family owned refuse hauling business. They pick up my trash and recycling once a week. They can rent a porta-potty to me or drop a dumpster if I need one. I have had no issues with them for years now. read more

I had to move out of town for a medical issue. My son was staying at our house. When I got home to move he told me they hadn't taken the recycle been at all so he stopped putting it out. I called to find out why it hasn't been taken and she said the notes said the contents weren't recyclable. She asked what I had in it and laughed at me saying (while laughing) those items aren't recyclable. More or less - wow you're stupid for not knowing what's recyclable. While I should have looked into it more - she didn't need to act like I was an idiot for not knowing. Plus I had three medium sized boxes on the side of the garbage and the driver left them because I was supposed to call two days ahead of time to let them know there was extra garbage. I did call the day before at 4:30 but they were closed. I asked for them to pick up the containers at the next garbage pick up. She said I would have to pay for August since the next pick up was August 1st. Seriously?!!!! As we all know moving is stressful anyway. I don't need a service oriented company giving me hassle. There are plenty of other companies out there. I would look into one of them instead read more

They have a real problem picking up our waste on their scheduled pick up. If they pick up at all that week. When you call they offer nothing but lip service, and treat you as if they are not responsible for the lack of service which they charge you for, but do not provide. read more

I was really frustrated with service problems with my old company and decided to try Illini Recycling because they were local and family owned. They delivered my can the next day after I called and the pick up guys are so reliable I could set my clock by them! I did get missed one day that they were running ahead of schedule but I called them and they came back and got it another day. I couldn't be happier with my choice! read more

I have been using Illini Recycling for four years and the service has been great. They show up at the same time each week, the price is right, if I call with questions they are always able to answer them, and the free recycling drop off is very useful. read more

So here is the deal, I was getting great service till the driver lied to the office. I put my cans out the night before because they pickup early in the morning. That night the wind was bad so after picking up the trash i decided in respect for the workers to put my cans against my truck which was parked on the street. Now this is where the anger come into play... they missed the cans, which was not what chaps my A**. When I called to see if they had been by the driver lied and said the cans were not out, now if the driver said "I must have missed them against the truck" I would have been OK, however the driver told the office that he was positive they were on the side of the house, which i find insulting as he basically called me a lair. Just own up to your mistake, and what adds to the anger is the office person was like OK what ever. I will be changing companies after the advanced months I paid for is up, just on principle. Other than lying drivers this is a good company. Remember companies just because they are your employee does not mean they don't lie. read more