Trash & Recycling in Madison, WI (2026)
8 verified trash & recycling rules for Madison, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Madison residents may not set trash or recycling at the curb more than 12 hours before their designated collection day under MGO § 10.18(3)(c), and carts must come off the terrace within 24 hours after pickup, or within 12 hours if a private hauler collects more than weekly. Violations carry a rising forfeiture starting at $50.
Madison Curbside Trash Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 10.18(3)(c)-(d)
(c)Curbside Placement. Except when authorized by the Streets Division Manager or other City policy, trash and recycling shall not be deposited upon the terrace of any street more than twelve (12) hours before either the date designated by the Streets Division Manager for trash and recycling collection in the district in which said premises are located for City collections or the date designated...
Bin Placement Rules
MGO § 27.05(2)(cc) requires trash and recycling carts to be stored in the garage or adjacent to and behind the building's front wall when not out for collection; § 10.18 limits curbside placement to 12 hours before and 24 hours after pickup.
Madison Trash & Recycling Cart Storage Rules
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 27.05(2)(cc)
(cc)Storage of Trash and Recycling Carts. When not out for collection, trash and recycling carts shall be stored in accordance with one of the following criteria:1.If the property has a driveway that leads to the rear of the property, the carts must be stored in the garage or adjacent to the building behind the front wall and corner lot street side wall of the house or garage.2.If the driveway ...
Bulk Item Disposal
The Streets Division runs curbside large-item pickup under a published Large Item Collection Policy, and property owners may not set furniture, mattresses, appliances or similar bulky items at the curb or on the terrace outside that policy's terms.
Madison Large Item Curbside Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 10.18(5)(f)
(f)Large Items.1.The Streets Division offers curbside large item collection pursuant to the City's Large Item Collection Policy.2.No large item shall be placed on any terrace or curbside for collection contrary to the City's Large Item Collection Policy. Every property owner shall be responsible for maintaining all of their property, along with the terrace area adjacent thereto, in accordance w...
Recycling Requirements
Madison's Streets Division runs curbside trash and recycling collection under MGO § 10.18(3) for eligible small residential and some small commercial properties; everyone else must hire a private hauler. Carts may go out no more than 12 hours before the scheduled pickup day and must come off the terrace within 24 hours after collection, or 12 hours if a private hauler collects more than weekly.
Madison Curbside Recycling Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 10.18(3)
(3)Trash and Recycling Collection.(a)Collections.1.The Streets Division provides curbside trash and recycling collection services for certain City properties pursuant to adopted City policies, primarily serving small residential properties as well as some small commercial properties.2.Properties not served by the City must arrange for trash and recycling collections with private waste haulers.(...
Illegal Dumping
Madison General Ordinances § 10.19 makes it unlawful to dump rubbish or refuse in any street, alley or public place, and bars dumping brush, yard waste or other refuse on private lawns, terraces or dumpsters without the owner's permission. Public-property dumping draws forfeitures up to $2,000.
Madison Bans Dumping Rubbish or Refuse
Significant RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 10.19(1),(3),(4)
(1)Dumping on Public Property. It shall be unlawful to dump rubbish or refuse in any street, alley or public place within the City of Madison. ... (3)Dumping on Private Property. No person shall deposit any brush, newsprint, yard waste, solid waste or other refuse or rubbish of any kind whatsoever on a lawn or a terrace or in a dumpster or other refuse container located in or upon commercial or...
Yard Waste Collection
Madison bans mixing yard waste or brush into your trash cart or hauling it to a landfill, but you can compost it, drop it at an authorized site, or set grass clippings, leaves and garden debris at the curb on the Streets Division's yard-waste schedule. Brush gets its own curbside and drop-off schedule.
Madison Yard Waste & Brush Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 10.18(5)(e)
(e)Yard Waste.1.Prohibited Yard Waste and Brush Disposal. No person shall do the following, or direct another to do the following:a.Mix or permit the mixing of yard waste or brush with solid waste designated for landfill disposal at any solid waste facility located in the City or place or permit the placing of yard waste or brush out for City curbside garbage collection. ... 2.Permitted Yard Wa...
Collection Schedule
Madison's Streets Division runs curbside trash and recycling collection only for certain smaller residential and commercial properties, with the Streets Division Manager setting each district's collection day under MGO § 10.18(3)(b). Properties not on City service, including most larger multi-family and commercial buildings, must contract their own private hauler on that hauler's own schedule.
Madison Trash & Recycling Collection Service
Light RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 10.18(1),(3)(a)-(b)
The collection, disposal and recycling of solid waste in the City shall be in accordance with rules, procedures, and schedules as specified by the Streets Division Manager and as directed by State law... The Streets Division provides curbside trash and recycling collection services for certain City properties pursuant to adopted City policies, primarily serving small residential properties as w...
Recycling Rules
Madison General Ordinances § 10.18(5) requires everyone who disposes of recyclable materials in the city, single-family owners, multi-family landlords, and commercial, retail, governmental and industrial operators alike, to separate items like aluminum and steel containers, glass, corrugated cardboard, newspaper, office paper and plastic containers from trash before they hit the curb or a drop-off site.
Madison Recyclables Separation Mandate
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 10.18(5)
(c)Recyclable Materials. Every person disposing of recyclable materials in the City shall separate such items from all other solid waste materials, shall recycle such separated items as provided in this Subsection and pursuant to State law, and shall not place such separated items in containers for disposal with trash.1.City Customers. For persons served by regular City solid waste collection, ...
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