Brand New Yard Waste Collection Schedule, Final Round of Brush Collection and Election Updates

Some news from the Streets Division:

The new yard waste schedule begins October 11, 2020

The Streets Division will be using a brand new leaf collection schedule for the fall of 2020.

Madison residents will have assigned days when you should set leaves to the curb for collection.

The new system will begin the week of October 11, 2020.

The yard waste collection schedule to learn when to set out your leaves will be available by October 1, 2020 on the Streets Division’s website.

All Collection Rules Remain the Same
Do not place yard waste into the street.

Placing yard waste into the street creates a nutrient-rich runoff that goes into the storm drains that lead to our lakes, causing algae blooms other problems. Protect our lakes, and keep our streets leaf-free.

When the collection season is underway, you can pile leaves and yard waste loose on the terrace, or place the material into bags.

If bagging yard waste, compostable paper leaf bags are preferred. All bags should be kept open at the top so crews can identify what is inside.

More information about how to set leaves out for pickup can be found on the Streets Division’s website.

Drop-off Sites Hours Remain Limited – Expect Lines for Entry
The drop-off sites at 1501 W. Badger Rd, 4602 Sycamore Ave, and 402 South Point Rd are open to accept yard waste. The sites are open 7:30am to 2:50pm Monday to Friday, and 9:00am to 4:00pm on Saturdays.

The number of vehicles allowed into the unloading area at the sites is limited to help social distancing and the overall safety of the facilities.

Due to the limited hours and restrictions on the number of people unloading at a single time, you are likely to encounter a long line when trying to unload material at the drop-off sites – so please remember to pack your patience along with the materials you need to recycle or dispose.

Visit the Streets Division’s website for more information about the drop-off sites.

Why was the leaf collection system changed?
Due to the budget hole caused by the pandemic, the Streets Division was unable to hire the usual number of seasonal employees. This is also why the drop-off site hours have been reduced this year.

Fewer employees will mean crews collecting leaves will be smaller. Smaller crews means collection speed will be slower. And slower collection means fewer opportunities to have leaves picked up at the curb. Crews will also need to be sure to practice social distancing while pulling leaves from the terraces, which is also likely to slow crews down.

The new schedule is an effort to deploy personnel strategically and provide residents with the exact date when to set their leaves out for pickup so no one misses their curbside collection opportunities.

The Streets Division will begin the final guaranteed round of brush collection of the year on Monday, September 21, 2020.

All residents who need curbside brush collection service this year should have their brush to the curb prior to September 21.

If you place brush out for collection after September 21, it may not be picked up until regular brush collection operations begin again in the spring of next year.

When the final brush collection round ends, the collection personnel will be assigned to leaf/yard waste collection and other duties.

Brush Collection Guidelines
When you place brush out for collection, be sure to have the cut ends all facing the same direction.

Brush piles should be four feet away from obstructions, like fire hydrants, mailboxes, and street signs.

Keep your brush piles separate from yard waste piles. Brush collection and yard waste collection are different operations. Piles of brush and yard waste mixed together will not be picked up.

Worried About the Grass Under the Brush? Use the Pickup Schedule Map
The Pickup Schedule map will show you when to set brush to the curb so it does not sit on the terrace in front of your home for very long. The map cannot tell you when collection will occur, but will tell you when to set out brush so you do not miss your last collection chance for 2020.

The Pickup Schedule map is on the Streets Division’s brush website, www.cityofmadison.com/brushcollection.

How to Use the Pickup Schedule Map
Once on the Pickup Schedule map page, you can enter your address in the upper left corner. This will zoom the map into your immediate neighborhood.

Neighborhoods shaded green for Pickup Pending should place their brush out for pickup because collection crews will be through very soon.

The map is updated at the end of each workday. Residents using the map should check it regularly.

Drop-off Sites
Madison residents and taxpayers can also bring one load of a brush a day to either Streets Division drop-off site.

Brush loads brought to the sties must not be bigger than 5’ x 8’, which means the load would fit into the bed of a standard pick-up truck or small trailer. Loads that are too large will be denied use of the drop-off site and directed to use the brush processing center.

The sites are located at 1501 W. Badger Rd. on the southwest side and 4602 Sycamore Ave on the east side. Contractors may not use these drop-off sites.

The Sycamore and Badger sites are open 7:30am to 2:50pm Monday to Friday. The sites are also open Sunday 9:00am to 4:00pm.

You should be prepared to wait in a line when you come to the drop-off sites. The number of vehicles that can unload at a single time has been reduced to help with social distancing and the overall safety of the sites.

Check the drop-off sites website for more information.

Brush Processing Center
Contractors, as well as residents, can bring brush they have cut to the brush processing center at 121 E. Olin Ave to be chipped for a per-ton fee.

Mulch is also available from the brush processing center.

Additional information, including hours of operation and fees, can be found on the Streets Division website, or by contacting the center at 608-266-4911.

Additional Information
Additional information about brush collection can be found on the Streets Division’s brush website, www.cityofmadison.com/brushcollection.

You can also call the brush collection hotline at 608-267-2088 for curbside collection time estimates. This recording is updated weekly.

You can also call the Streets Division office: West side Streets Division at 608-266-4681.

The Clerk's Office is hard at work mailing absentee ballots to everyone who requested them. If you signed up, you should see them in your mailbox soon. Here's some recent news releases from the Clerk's Office:

• Voter Registration Questions Answered (9/15/2020)
• Common Election Misconceptions (9/8/2020)
• Requesting an Absentee Ballot for the Presidential Election (9/1/2020)
• Democracy in the Park Event Planned for September 26 & October 3 (reminder!)

As always, if there is anything I can do to help, feel free to reach out: district19@cityofmadison.com

-Keith F