Starting December 27, 2023: Large Item Fees Waived for Resource Recovery Charge Ratepayers

Starting on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 and continuing through all of 2024, Madison residents who pay the Resource Recovery Special Charge will not be charged for items that require a fee when they make their required large item work orders. 

Large item work orders are required to arrange curbside collection of these items. Households that pay the Resource Recovery Special Charge will not be charged a recycling fee when they complete their work orders for the select items that have a fee.  

The drop-off sites will also accept items from Resource Recovery Special Charge ratepayers at no cost. Since the drop-off sites are closed on Wednesdays, the sites will begin accepting items at no cost from RRSC ratepayers at no cost beginning on Thursday, December 28 when the drop-off sites are open.

Who Pays the Resource Recovery Special Charge

Madison residents who receive recycling collection from the City of Madison Streets Division pay the Resource Recovery Special Charge.

If you are unsure who collects your recycling, check the cart at your home.  If your recycling cart is green with the City of Madison logo on it, then your home is serviced by the Streets Division. 

If your home has metal dumpsters, you do not receive City collection. The Streets Division does not provide dumpster services.  If your home is serviced by via a private drive or carriage lane, it is unlikely you are serviced by the Streets Division. 

The monthly charge appears on the Municipal Services bill alongside charges for your water usage and other services. 

The monthly charge for the Resource Recovery Special Charge in 2024 will be $3.95. 

Residents Who Do Not Pay the Resource Recovery Special Charge

If you do not pay the Resource Recovery Special Charge, you will still be charged fees for certain items when scheduling curbside collection through the work order system. 

You will also be required to pay any necessary fees before taking the items that require an extra fee to a Streets Division drop-off site.

Items Requiring an Additional Charge

Common items requiring a fee include dehumidifiers, microwaves, lawnmowers, fluorescent light fixtures, air conditioners, refrigerators, and tires.

The complete list of items requiring a fee can be found on the Streets Division’s website.

What Made this Change Possible

Within the 2024 Operating Budget was funding provided by the Resource Recovery Special Charge to cover costs for handling and recycling the items that have a fee.  

This is why Madison residents who do not pay the Resource Recovery Special Charge are still required to pay the fees for these certain large items they have.  Since they are not contributing to the funding to cover the costs via the special charge, they must continue paying the necessary fees for these certain items. 

Additional Details

More details about large item collection can be found at www.cityofmadison.com/largeitem.

More details about the Resource Recovery Special Charge can be found on the Resource Recovery Special Charge page at www.cityofmadison.com/Recycling.

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