Pickup region
The west suburbs
The west suburbs run from Cicero and Berwyn at the city line, past the rail yards and plants of Bedford Park, out along I-88 to Naperville and Aurora. Close in, it's alleys and small lots; further out, business parks and big docks.
Places on this run
- Berwyn
Wooden spool pickup and sales in Berwyn along Roosevelt, Cermak and Ogden: contractor reels, small sellers and single-spool buyers.
10 miles west of the Loop - Cicero
Empty reel pickup in Cicero: plants, warehouses and contractors along the rail lines and Cicero Avenue, on the west suburbs day.
7 miles west of the Loop - Bedford Park
Cable reel pickup in Bedford Park: rail yards, plants and distribution buildings by Midway and the Stevenson, on the southwest run.
12 miles southwest of the Loop - Naperville
Wooden spool pickup and sales in Naperville on the I-88 corridor: business-park, utility and contractor reels, plus spools for buyers.
28 miles west-southwest of the Loop - Aurora
Empty reel pickup in Aurora, Illinois' second-largest city: I-88 business parks, Fox River plants and contractor yards, on the far-west day.
38 miles west of the Loop
Close in and far out
Close to the city, Cicero and Berwyn are dense: bungalows, two-flats, storefront corridors on Roosevelt Road, Cermak Road and Ogden Avenue, and the rail-served industrial blocks of Cicero. Bedford Park, by Midway, is almost all industry: big plants, a rail classification yard and distribution buildings that share the old Clearing district with the city.
Far out, on the I-88 corridor, Naperville and Aurora have business parks, distribution buildings, research and office campuses, and growing neighbourhoods. Naperville runs its own city electric utility, which makes it one of the few places in the region where line work isn't done for ComEd.
Two days, not one
Because the distances are long, the west suburbs are usually two runs. The near-west day pairs Cicero, Berwyn and Bedford Park with Clearing and Garfield Ridge across the city line. The far-west day goes out I-88 to Naperville and Aurora and fills in along the way.
If you are somewhere in between, say Oak Park or Downers Grove, send the request anyway. It goes on whichever run passes closest.
Who empties reels in the west suburbs
| Source | Usual sizes | Usual route |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford Park plants and rail work | 48 to 84 in | Buyback; steel and tagged reels to owners |
| Cicero warehouses | 30 to 60 in | Buyback |
| Berwyn and Cicero contractors | 24 to 36 in | Buyback from the alley |
| I-88 business parks | 24 to 48 in, nailed and plywood | Buyback |
| Naperville utility work | Large, often steel | Listed for the owner |
Plant shutdowns in Bedford Park and summer school projects in Naperville bring the busiest weeks. Telling us dates in advance gets a truck booked for the week after.
Spool buyers are spread across the region, from Berwyn gardens to Aurora acreage, and their deliveries ride whichever run passes closest.
Cicero and Berwyn alleys suit a straight truck, while Bedford Park docks and I-88 truck courts take a full trailer. Mention overhead wires, gates or narrow turns and we match the vehicle to the street.
Winter is quieter on the far-west run, so it is a good time to clear a yard before spring building starts.
Oak Park, La Grange and Downers Grove fall between these towns, and their reels join the nearest stop.
Industries on the West suburbs run
- Transit and rail constructionSignal and yard work around Bedford Park's classification yard and the BNSF line.
- Utility and grid workNaperville's municipal electric crews and ComEd contractors elsewhere along I-88.
- Manufacturers and plantsCorn processing, food and packaging plants running continuous shifts.
- Solar and battery storageCommunity solar and battery projects on open land toward the edge of the metro.
Questions about the West suburbs run
Which day covers Berwyn and Cicero?
The near-west day, often paired with Clearing and Garfield Ridge across the city line.
Do you come out to Naperville and Aurora?
Yes, on the far-west day along I-88.
I am between two listed towns. Can you still come?
Yes. Send the address; it goes on the run that passes closest.
Is Oak Park or Downers Grove covered?
Send the address. Towns between Berwyn and Naperville fall on one of the two west runs, whichever passes nearest that week.
Can Naperville's city electric department use your program?
Its reels that belong to cable makers go back to those makers. Any one-way wooden reels from municipal or contractor work can be collected like any other yard's.
Request a pickup or quote
Work order received
- Reference
- Request
Next we read what you sent, sort the reels by tag and condition, and come back with what we buy, where returnables go, and a pickup day for your corridor. If it helps, reply with a photo of the stack and the reel tags.