Burlington, WI Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)

Under Burlington City Code § 265-3A, all residences in an area served by City or City-approved contractors must carry enough container capacity for their normal volume of waste between pickups, and refuse must be collected from every residential dwelling of four units or fewer at least once per week. Residential units built within a commercial development are treated as commercial for this purpose, not residential. Refuse and recycling go out at the street curb, or behind the residence where a City alley exists. Only plastic bags and standard garbage cans up to 30 gallons are allowed for refuse, and a full container cannot weigh more than 60 pounds; anything requiring recycling separation under Article III goes into the bins the City or the property owner supplies.

Containers must sit in an easily accessible spot with a path kept clear of snow, cars and other obstacles, and any refuse or recycling scattered by wind, animals or vandals is the resident's responsibility to clean up. Collection dates are assigned to each residence or set by the Common Council on a regular schedule, except in weeks with one of six observed holidays (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day); when a holiday falls on the normal collection day, pickup shifts to the next regular collection day.

Containers cannot be placed at curbside, or at the alley's edge where alley pickup applies, more than 12 hours before collection day, and must be pulled back within 12 hours after collection. to guarantee pickup that day. Special items such as major appliances and tires follow separate arrangements under § 265-3A(4) rather than the standard weekly schedule.