Trash, recycling and large-item pickup in Madison

Find your collection day

Trash goes in the tan cart and is collected every week. Recycling goes in the green cart and is collected every other week. Type your house number and street into the city's Look up your Collection Schedule tool to see your next two pickup dates and a printable calendar for the year.

When a holiday falls on your collection day, pickup moves to the next work day. Around double holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's), a pickup that falls on the first holiday moves a day earlier instead.

Setting out your carts

• Put carts out by 6:30 a.m. on collection day.
• Set them at the end of your driveway, on the terrace, or at the edge of the road on top of the curb. Never in the street.
• Leave space around each cart: the city asks for about 4 to 5 feet from other carts, cars, trees and fire hydrants.
• In winter, don't put carts on or behind a snowbank.

What goes in recycling

Only the right paper, plastic containers, metal and glass go in the green cart, and they should be clean, empty and dry. Don't bag your recycling; the one exception is shredded paper, which goes in a clear bag.

These don't belong in the cart: plastic bags and film, batteries, electronics, cords and wires, clothing and textiles, wood, Styrofoam and other foams, light bulbs, yard waste and anything hazardous. For anything you're unsure about, search the city's Recyclopedia.

Furniture, appliances and other large items

Large items are picked up by appointment. Fill out the city's large item work order online first and choose a set-out Sunday. Don't put items out early: set them out on that Sunday, and they'll be collected during the following work week.

Items must be under 8 feet long and kept about 4 feet from trees, cars, poles, mailboxes and hydrants. Keep metal items and appliances separate from everything else, and take the doors off refrigerators and freezers. Buildings with more than eight units aren't eligible for large item pickup.

Fees for appliances and other special items are covered for households whose recycling the city collects, through a charge on the water bill. Other residents pay per item; check the city's fee list.

Electronics aren't collected at the curb. Take them to a city drop-off site or a private recycler; a TV or computer left at the curb can bring a $30 fee.

Leaves and brush

The city guarantees three fall leaf pickups, scheduled by neighborhood. In 2026 they run until the week after Thanksgiving in some areas. Pile leaves on the terrace or on the grass at the edge of the street, never in the street, and keep piles about 5 feet from obstructions. Piles that mix leaves and brush aren't collected.

Brush pickup runs from spring through early fall, with five set-out chances per home. Branches must be between 18 inches and 8 feet long and under 8 inches across. For big jobs or tree removal, a tree service or lawn care company can haul it away.

City drop-off sites

Madison residents can bring yard waste, recyclables and other items to three drop-off sites. Bring proof that you live or pay taxes in the city.

• East: 4602 Sycamore Ave
• West: 402 South Point Rd
• Central: 1504 Quann-Olin Parkway

From December 4, 2026 through spring, the sites are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and closed Wednesday and weekends. They're also closed on city holidays.

For household hazardous waste such as paint, chemicals and pesticides, Dane County runs Clean Sweep at the county landfill on Maahic Way. Call ahead to check what they accept and current fees.