Common Council

Flood-related trash collection

Flood-related Refuse and Large Item Collection

Residents in flood-impacted areas throughout Madison are encouraged to notify the Streets Division when water damaged items have been placed to the curb for collection. 

Residents should also follow collection guidelines for large items and the collection carts outlined below to make pickup efficient and safe.

Streets Division crews will begin flood-related collection of large items and other refuse on Friday, August 24. 

Crews will return to the flood damaged areas on Monday, August 27 to continue collecting water damaged material.  Streets Division staff will monitor the volume of material set to the curb in these areas, and collection crews will remain in flooded areas after August 27 if the need remains.

When residents have removed items such as carpet or furniture from areas impacted by the flood, they should contact the Streets Division office that services their home.

Reports of flood-damaged items should be made online.

Go to www.cityofmadison.com/reportaproblem and choose the Refuse Collection option.  Please choose "Request for Information" or "Missed Pickup" in the Request Type field of the contact form.

Residents without internet access can call the Street Division offices. Residents east of South Park Street, which includes the isthmus, should call 608-246-4532. Residents west of South Park Street should call 608-266-4681. If you call the offices after normal business hours, please leave a message on these lines with the location of the flood-damaged items so crews can be dispatched later.

Collection Guidelines

The Streets Division collects material placed on the terrace or road edge of the public street.  The Streets Division cannot collect items from private roads or carriage lanes.

Refuse Collection Carts

Use your refuse collection cart for items that can fit inside of it. 

If your collection cart is full, place extra refuse items into garbage bags.  Bags of excess garbage should not weigh more than 40 pounds apiece. Do not pile small loose material on the curb. Do not place excess garbage into cardboard boxes.

Beginning on Friday, August 24, refuse collection carts in the flood impacted areas will be emptied. Crews will return on Monday, August 27 to empty the refuse carts again.  Crews will continue to empty collection carts each workday while flood cleanup is ongoing.

Please note that paper saturated with water should go into the refuse cart or garbage bags. Do not place wet paper into the recycling carts.

Large Items (Carpet, Furniture, Etc.)

Place large items at the curb away from obstructions, such a low wires, trees, and street signs when possible. 

Carpeting should be rolled up and less than 8 feet long.  Carpet rolls larger than 8 feet will not fit into the collection vehicles.

Recycling fees are still required for any damaged appliances or electronic items that may require one.  More information about recycling fees can be found on the appliance collection website.

Drop-off Sites

Residents with flood-damaged material can also use the drop-off sites. Those with material related to the flooding are not restricted to one trip a day during the cleanup process.

All other drop-off site restrictions apply, including that loads must be restricted to what would fit into the back of a standard pickup or small trailer and drop-off sites are only for City of Madison residents.

The drop-off sites are located at 1501 W. Badger Rd and 4602 Sycamore Ave.

More information about drop-off site hours and restrictions can be found on the Streets Division website.

Additional Information

General information regarding Streets Division collections can be found on the Streets Division website, www.cityofmadison.com/streets, or by consulting the Recyclopedia, or by contacting the Streets Division offices.