August Moving Days: How to Set Out Appliances, Furniture, & Bags That Won't Fit in the Cart

The student move out collections run from August 3, 2026, until August 21, 2026, within the downtown student move out area. 

For the collection process in the in the move out area to be fast and safe for everyone, follow these guidelines for large items and bags of extra material that can't fit into the carts.

Rules for Setting Out Furniture, Appliances, and Other Large Items 

• If your situation requires it, make sure you have a large item work order and the item is out on the date you picked
• Keep items 5 feet away from fire hydrants, utility poles, street signs and other obstructions.
• Do not place items under low-hanging wires and low tree limbs, or other overhead obstructions
• Keep your large item piles tidy. 
  • For example, if you have taken apart a desk, stack the pieces neatly. 
• Keep metal items and appliances separate from wood items and furniture. 
  • This helps us collect the metals and appliances for recycling.

Extra Bags of Trash & Recyclables Outside the Cart

• Use bags for small things that can't fit in the carts. 
• No loose heaps of trash, clothes, recyclables or other scattered debris on the ground.
• Overflow recyclables must be in clear bags so crews can see what is inside of them, and stack the extra bags of recyclables near recycling carts. 
  • Follow the recycling rules for what belongs in the recycling cart (and bags).
    • And follow the guidelines for extra cardboard that can't fit into the recycling cart. Do not stuff small boxes into one large cardboard box. 
• Do not pile bagged trash or bagged recyclables on top of large items or appliances.

Don't live in the moving days area, but still have extra bags of trash & recycling? 

We have a household cleanup webpage that explains just what you should do.

Make Collections Faster and Safer for Everyone

When you set the items out within these guidelines, you create a safe environment for our staff. And you help everyone in the student moving area by allowing us an opportunity to work quickly.

Some items are collected by a truck-mounted crane. This is why you should never place items under low-hanging wires and branches.  You help keep our operators safe, and you help save us time so we do not have to drag items away from overhead obstructions before we can safely use the crane.

We also use two-person crews to lift things from the curb by hand.  And this is why you should keep your large item piles tidy and organized. The less time our crews have to spend gathering scattered items, the faster we can work.

Use the Drop-off Sites

All Madison residents can bring large items to Streets Division drop-off sites.

Excess trash and recycling can also be taken to the drop-off site, along with many other items.

Be sure you know the hours, locations, and restrictions of the sites before loading your vehicle. 

 Check the Streets Division's drop-off site page for more information.

Additional Information

If there are questions, all residents are encouraged to contact the Streets Division. 

Additional information can also be found on the Streets Division's Moving Days website, the Streets Division's electronics recycling website, and the Recyclopedia.