Milwaukee, WI Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- Free limit
- up to 1 cubic yard
- 1-4 cubic yards
- $90 charge
- 4-6 cubic yards
- $250 charge
- Over 6 cubic yards
- not collected
- Tag notice period
- 3 days to remove
Summary
Milwaukee's DPW hauls bulky waste under one cubic yard for free, charges $90 to $250 for loads up to six cubic yards, and refuses anything larger outright.
3. DOMESTIC TREE AND BULKY WASTE. a. Domestic tree waste, limited to quantity and origin as specified in this chapter and the rules of the commissioner, shall be collected without charge. b-1. Bulky waste, not exceeding one cubic yard and origin as specified in this chapter and the rules of the commissioner, shall be collected without charge. b-2. Bulky waste, exceeding 6 cubic yards, limited to quantity or origin, as specified in this chapter and the rules of the commissioner, shall not be removed by the department. c-1. The commissioner may have bulky waste exceeding one cubic yard but not exceeding 6 cubic yards removed. The costs of this action shall be collected from the owner of the property at which the bulky waste is deposited, subject to the bulky collection charge established under s. 81-15.5. Bulky waste exceeding one cubic yard shall be tagged by the commissioner with a notice to the property owner to remove the waste within 3 days or be subject to the charge.
Full Breakdown
The Department of Public Works collects domestic tree and bulky waste under Code § 79-6.5-3. A load up to one cubic yard goes out free with regular service. Anything over one cubic yard but no more than 4 cubic yards costs $90, and 4 to 6 cubic yards costs $250, per the bulky waste collection charge set in § 81-15.5. The commissioner tags oversized bulky waste with a notice giving the property owner 3 days to remove it before the charge applies. Waste exceeding 6 cubic yards is not removed by the department at all: residents must arrange private hauling.
Violations & Fines
An unpaid bulky waste collection charge is billed to the property owner and, if not paid within 30 days, becomes a lien on the property added to the delinquent tax roll under Wis. Stat. § 66.0627.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Milwaukee pick up bulky items for free?
What if I don't pay the bulky waste charge?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee
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Bulk Item Disposal in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Milwaukee County handle bulk item disposal.