Waukesha, WI Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- Bulky Item threshold
- Over 50 lbs or won't fit in Cart
- Pickup type
- Separate special collection, by arrangement
- Set-out window
- Noon day before to 6 a.m. collection day
- Curb time limit
- 24 hours maximum
- Missed pickup
- Must remove until rescheduled
Summary
Large items don't go in the regular Cart in Waukesha. Municipal Code Section 13.055(4)(c) routes anything too big to fit in a Cart, or weighing over 50 pounds, through a separate special collection with its own set-out window and a hard 24-hour curb limit.
(c) Bulky Item Collection. Bulky Items shall be picked up only by special collection, separately from regular Solid Waste. Arrangements for pick-up of such items shall be made according to instructions found in the Residential Solid Waste and Recycling Regulations. Such items shall be placed in the area between the sidewalk and curb in front of the Eligible Property premises, or as directed by the collection contractor, and separated from the Solid Waste and Recyclables Carts, no earlier than the noon the day before scheduled collection, and no later than 6:00 a.m. the day of scheduled collection. The items may not remain at the collection location for more than 24 hours, and if collection is missed, the items must be removed until collection is rescheduled.
Full Breakdown
Section 13.055(1)(a) defines a Bulky Item as a Solid Waste item either too large to fit entirely within an empty Cart, or any single item weighing more than 50 pounds, with the full list of qualifying items published in the Residential Solid Waste and Recycling Regulations. Subsection (4)(c) requires residents to arrange pickup separately from regular Solid Waste collection, following the instructions in those Regulations, rather than simply setting bulky items at the curb on a normal collection day.
Once scheduled, Bulky Items must be placed in the area between the sidewalk and curb, or wherever the collection contractor directs, kept separated from the Solid Waste and Recyclables Carts, no earlier than noon the day before the scheduled special collection and no later than 6:00 a.m. the day of collection, the same set-out window used for regular Carts. Unlike regular Carts, though, Bulky Items may not sit at the curb for more than 24 hours; if the crew misses the pickup, the resident must remove the items until a new collection date is arranged. Additional Bulky Item handling rules, including any fees, are set out in the Residential Solid Waste and Recycling Regulations that the Board of Public Works publishes under subsection (9).
Violations & Fines
Leaving Bulky Items at the curb past the 24-hour limit, or setting them out without first arranging the special collection, is a violation of Section 13.055(4)(c) subject to the general forfeiture of up to $50 per violation under subsection (8), and repeated noncompliance can also lead to suspension of the property's collection service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of a couch or old furniture in Waukesha?
How long can bulky items sit at the curb in Waukesha?
What size item counts as a Bulky Item under Waukesha's code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukesha
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