Fall Leaves and Yard Waste Collection Begins Week of October 8, 2023

posted October 2, 2023 – 1:50pm

The Streets Division’s fall yard waste and leaves collection begins the week of October 8, 2023.

All residents will receive three collection opportunities this fall, weather permitting.

The exact dates when you should set you should set out leaves and yard waste for pickup can be found on the Streets Division website, www.cityofmadison.com/yardwaste.

The set out dates can also be found on the new map lookup tool.

What will yard waste collect crews collect?
They will be collecting the leaves, weeds, and other plant debris you have raked or pulled from your lawn or garden.

Yard waste is not the same as brush. Piles of brush and yard waste mixed together will not be picked up by the yard waste collection crews.

Why are all the dates on the website Sundays?
The date given on the website is the day when you should set out yard waste for pickup.

This is not the date when your yard waste will be picked up.

Crews will be collecting yard waste from your neighborhood sometime during the normal work week following the set-out dates you see on the site.

By placing the yard waste out on the date given on the website, your material will be out on time and will only sit on the terrace for one week at most.

If you choose to place material out after your set-out date, you may miss your collection opportunity.

How do you set out yard waste for collection?
Place the leaves and yard waste at the street edge or on the terrace. Do not place yard waste into the street.

Keep the material at least four feet from obstructions where possible. Obstructions like street signs, utility poles, mailboxes, trees, and parked cars hinder collection.

If you bag your leaves and yard waste, please use compostable paper leaf and lawn bags and keep them open so crews can see what is inside. Other bags are acceptable if they are kept open as well, but keep in mind that crews may need to rip or slice open plastic bags to get the yard waste out, and they will need to leave the split bags behind at the curb.

What are other options besides curbside pickup?
You can compost your yard waste to make an excellent soil amendment to help your lawns and gardens next year. Free guides on how to compost are available at City of Madison libraries and additional composting resources can be found on the Streets Division’s website.

You can also mulch your leaves in place with your lawnmower. It’s an easy way to help manage your leaves, help the lakes, and improve your lawns.

Drop-off Sites
The Streets Division drop-off sites will also accept yard waste.

Verify the location and the hours for the site you want to use before loading your vehicle at www.cityofmadison.com/DropOffSites.

More Information
Additional information about yard waste collection can be found at www.cityofmadison.com/yardwaste.

You can view our short how-to video about yard waste collection on the City of Madison YouTube page.

And more information about all Streets Division services can be found at www.cityofmadison.com/streets.