Streets & Urban Forestry

Closed New Year's Eve & New Year's Day
Check your collection schedule to learn when you should put out the trash & recycling carts on these two holidays.
Drop-off sites & offices also closed on 12/31/25 & 1/1/26
Holiday Tree Collection Schedule
See the dates when you can put your tree out for pickup on the winter website.
Trees can also be taken to a drop-off site.

Food Scraps

Image credit: Two Lips Creative
Compost Food Scraps
- Farmers' market drop-offs for 2025 have ended. Use a Dane County Scrap Stop for your winter food scraps drop-off needs.
  - Our 2025 goal for food scraps drop off this year was 40,000 pounds - which is the weight of a small herd of bison!
- Check with your local community garden to see if a community compost option is available.
- Remember, you can compost your food scraps in your own backyard, too.
- Dane County Scrap Stops
  - Three locations in Madison and other locations elsewhere in Dane County.
  - More details about registering to use the County sites: check out their website.
Image credit: Two Lips Creative

Meal Planning

Meal planning will save you money and save natural resources - the ultimate win-win. Meal planning tips can be found on this page.
Image credit: Two Lips Creative

Use & Storage

Proper food storage techniques and using what you buy will mean you will not waste the food you purchase (or grow).
Image credit: Two Lips Creative
Create & Donate

Create new food opportunities:
- Donate what's possible to area pantries
- And create new dishes with imperfect foods, transform your leftovers, and cook "end-to-stem"