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 BUILDING MATERIAL:

Before you start a home remodeling project, you should think about how you are going to dispose of the construction debris you will generate. The Street Division's collection of this material is very limited and you may need to contact a private hauler or take the material to the landfill yourself.

Collection of building material is limited to debris from minor home improvement projects done by the resident. Debris from major remodeling or construction projects and work done by contractors will NOT be collected.

There is a limit of 6 bags and/or containers or their equivalent, of building material per week. This weekly limit includes boards or lumber placed for Large Item collection.

These regulations also apply to the Street Division's drop off sites at 1501 W. Badger Rd. and 4602 Sycamore Ave.

What is Building Material?
Building material includes:

  • Dry Wall
  • Plywood
  • Insulation
  • Shingles
  • Lumber
  • Siding
  • Plaster
  • Wood Paneling

Bricks, concrete and concrete blocks will not be collected regardless of volume.

Cabinets, doors, windows, plumbing fixtures (sinks, toilets, etc.), and furnaces are considered large items see. Please go to Large Item Collection to learn more about the rules and regulations of large item collection.

Collection Guidelines:
Building material must be put in bags or returnable containers for collection:
Do not put material in cardboard boxes. Bags and containers must weigh less than 40 pounds.

  • Scrap lumber: see Large Item.
  • Boards must be less than 8 feet in length.
  • Remove nails or bend so they do not protrude.
  • Place boards at the curb separate from your regular refuse.
  • Rain gutters and pipes are collected for recycling by Large Item metal crews:
    Place these items separately at the curb.
  • Items over 8 feet in length must be bent over or cut down for collection.

To Donate Your Unneeded or Used Building Material:

Habitat for Humanity

Unneeded or used building materials can find a new home through two reuse facilities in Madison. If you have material that might be useful you can donate it to Habitat for Humanity.

Please check with Habitat for Humanity prior to making a donation.

This is also an excellent place to find bargain materials for your home improvement projects.

Madison Stuff Exchange

You can sell of give away unneeded or used building material on the Madison Stuff Exchange, a free web site available to anyone who lives or works in Dane County. Please visit Madison Stuff Exchange for more information.

Disposal Alternatives:

Landfills

Material can be hauled directly either to the Dane County Landfill (838-9555)
or the Mad-Prairie Landfill (837-9031). Please call for information and fees.

Recycling

Concrete can be recycled by Wingra Stone (271-5555) or Northwestern Stone (836-1701).  Northwestern Stone will also take bricks.

Asphalt can be recycled by Payne and Dolan 845-8900

Asphalt Shingles can be taken to the Bruce Company for recycling. Please call Jim Altwies at 358-3036 for information.

Drywall can be recycled by the Drywall Scrap Company (206-6549) or the Bruce Company (836-7041)

Most private refuse haulers offer collection service for building material.
Please check the Yellow Pages for phone numbers.