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What are large items?

Large items are items that are too large to fit in your refuse cart.

This includes furniture, appliances, mattresses, carpets, bicycles, swing sets, etc.

This also includes items that have special recycling fees.

 

how do I get my large items picked up from the curb?

Step One:

Click on the blue "Large Item Work Order" button below. 

Large Item Work Order

 

(Had trouble entering your address into that online form before? Try reading this one-page guide. It is also linked to within the work order form)

Step Two:

Use the curbside collection guidelines and put your items in your work out for pickup on the set-out date you selected.

 

Step Three:

Wait for collection. Collection crews will be by your home to pick up the items you said would be out for collection during the work week following the set out Sunday in your work order.

no collection for properties over 8 units starting in 2025

Per the policy passed by the Common Council on 7/16/24, large item collection will stop being available for multi-family buildings over 8 units and certain commercial properties starting on January 1, 2025. 

This will include condominiums, apartment complexes, and all properties over 8 units

Instead, these properties must use private collection services for pickup, or they can self-haul the material to a drop-off site.

If during the 2025 Operating Budget process additional funds are provided , this service may continue for these property types. However, there are severe citywide budget challenges. Adding more funding to hire new staff to help with large item pickup is unlikely.

 

Why was this change made?

Due to the budget environment we face, the Streets Division has been unable to grow staff and equipment in order to keep up with the pace of the growth of the city.

From 2019 to 2023, there have been approximately 10,000 additional dwelling units built in Madison in complexes that are 9 units and above.  And a about 2,000 more dwelling units in fewer than 8 unit buildings, and that's not counting additions related to the attachment from the Town of Madison, and smaller similar additions.

This is roughly 12,000 additional homes eligible for large item collection within the last 5 years and there is continuing transformative growth in our city. 

And no budget ability to add staff or equipment to continue providing service at the level and frequency residents expect.

By removing the over 8 unit buildings from the large item service, that will open up more large item collection opportunities for residents serviced by the Streets Division. It should create shorter wait times for work order slots, and more frequent pickup opportunities.

Why is the restriction set at properties over 8 units?

Streets Division trash and recycling collection is currently restricted to properties of fewer than 8 units by a 2010 resolution.

This means most properties over 8 units already have a relationship with private trash and recycling collection companies.

These properties all have the capacity to provide large item collection to their customers through a variety of means.

If by some circumstance the property is over 8 units and managed to retain City collections of trash and recycling, large item service is not guaranteed to continue in 2025.

What about the downtown student move out and this change?

Nothing about the Streets Division's moving days operation will change with this policy update. 

The August move out is a special operation that is huge in scope that requires an extraordinary response. Well over 30,000 Madisonians move out on roughly the same day, and all of it happening in the neighborhoods clustered near the University of Wisconsin campus. Continuing this operation as we have always done is necessary to keep the city clean and functioning during this challenging time.

 

Curbside Collection

Put your large items on the curb on your set-out date.

You will choose this date when you fill out the work order. Our crews will collect your item in the following week.

Truck mounted crane carefully lifting two mattresses that were a little too close to the terrace tree.

Guidelines

  • Keep your large items separate from your carts and other refuse.
  • Keep your large items away from trees, utility poles and wires, mailboxes, fire hydrants, and other obstructions.
  • Items that are out late or are not accessible will not be collected.
  • You do not need a recycling fee sticker for any items you are setting on the curb.

Delays

Large item collection may be delayed due to holiday weeks, fall leaf collection, winter snow plowing, severe weather clean-up, or other notable events. We will come to your neighborhood as soon as we can.

Who Pays the Fees

Resource Recovery Special Charge - All Items Are Free Starting in 2024

Starting on December 27, 2023, if you pay the Resource Recovery Special Charge (RRSC) on your Municipal Services Bill, then you will not need to pay an additional fee for any of the items listed below when you schedule a large item work order.

The Municipal Services Bill is most commonly referred to by residents as your water bill, but it pays for many other services than just the water your household consumes.) 

The RRSC is paid by homes that receive recycling collection by the City of Madison Streets Division.

Starting on December 28, 2023, all items are accepted at no cost from people who pay the RRSC at both at the drop-off site, too.

 

People Who Do Not Pay the RRSC

If your home is not not part of the RRSC, then you will need to pay the necessary fee for the select items outlined below.

If your home does not receive recycling collection from the City of Madison, you do not pay the RRSC.

If you do not know who collects your recycling, go check. 

If your home has large metal dumpsters, then you are serviced by a private company and you will will need to pay the fees below for these certain items.

If your home has plastic collection carts, but they do not say "City of Madison" on them, then you do not pay the RRSC and then you will need to

Drop-Off Sites

If you do not pay the Resource Recovery Special Charge, you should also use the work order form to pay fees for items that you are taking to the drop-off site.

For any items you are bringing to a drop-off site, we will mail you a recycling fee sticker after you fill out the work order.

If you are required to pay for a recycling fee sticker, then you must purchase the fee sticker in advance of coming to the drop-off site of the item.  Stickers are not available for purchase from the staff in the sites.

Some items, including televisions, computers, and other electronics, are banned from the landfill. You must take these items to a drop-off site. Do not place these items on the curb for pickup.

 

Items with Fees & Special Instructions

The below list shows items that require a fee.

Starting on December 27, 2023 people who pay the Resource Recovery Special Charge will not be billed fees when they make their large item work orders. And starting on Thursday, December 28, 2023, people who pay the Resource Recovery Special Charge can take these items to the drop-off site at no cost as well.

If you do not pay the Resource Recovery Special Charge, you will still need to pay the fees shown below.

Items that are shaded gray must be taken to a drop-off site.

If your item is not listed below, it does not require a fee. 

View the Recyclopedia for more information about how to dispose of specific items.

 

Items with Fees and Special Instructions
Item Fee Special Instructions
Air compressors $35
Air conditioners $35
Boats $35
Boat motors $15
Building materials / construction debris None No contractor work. This is for small homeowner projects only. Follow guidelines outlined here for material and weight limits. Shingles, bricks, concrete, and many other items will not be collected.
Carpet and carpet padding None Roll up and bind the rolls with rope or duct tape. If the rolls are over 8 feet long, cut them down or fold them over and secure with rope or duct tape. Carpet and padding may be rolled together.
Computers and computer towers $0 Drop-off only. This fee stopped on February 20, 2023. These will be accepted at no charge through the end of 2024.
Copy machines, office sized $35
Dehumidifiers $35
Dishwashers $35  
Doors with glass windows None Tape glass to prevent it from breaking
Dryers $35
Exercise equipment None
Fluorescent light fixtures $15 Remove bulbs
Freezers $35 Remove doors
Furnaces $35
Furniture None Do excess bags on top of furniture.  Keep
Garbage disposals None These are likely too heavy for your recycling cart. Bring to drop-off site and place into metal recycling container.
Garden tillers $15
Gas grills $15
Gasoline and fuel oil tanks None Empty and drain tanks
Glass table top None Tape glass to prevent it from breaking
Hot tubs $35
Humidifiers None
Ice machines $35
Laptops $0 Drop-off only. This fee stopped on February 20, 2023. These will be accepted at no charge through the end of 2024.
Large commercial appliances $35
Large medical devices $35
Lawn mowers $15
Leaf shredders $15
Lumber None Must stack items neatly. Remove nails or at least flatten them for worker safety. Must abide by building material limitations. 
Mattresses and box springs None Put on the curb separate from your carts. Do not pile trash on matresses.
Microwave ovens $15
Monitors $0 Drop-off only. This fee stopped on February 20, 2023. These will be accepted at no charge through the end of 2024.
Ovens $35
Pianos None
Printers None Drop-off only.
Radios None Put in your refuse cart, or take to a drop-off site for recycling.
Ranges $35
Refrigerators, full size $35 Remove doors
Refrigerators, mini or dorm $15
Snow throwers $15
Sofa sleepers None Separate the metal bed frame from the rest of the sofa
Space heaters None
Stereo equipment None Put in your refuse cart, or take to a drop-off site for recycling
Stoves $35
Tanning beds $35 Remove bulbs. Take fluorescent bulbs to locations that offer bulb recycling like hardware stores or lighting speciality stores.
Televisions, all sizes $0 Drop-off only. This fee stopped on February 20, 2023. These will be accepted at no charge through the end of 2024.
Tires, large truck $10
Tires, on the rim $10
Tires, small vehicle, off the rim $5
Toasters and toaster ovens None
Trash compactors $35
VCRs None Drop-off only.
Washers $35
Water coolers $35
Water heaters $35
Water softeners $35
Weed whackers /string trimmers None
Windows None Tape glass to prevent it from breaking
Wood stoves $35

how to pay the large item fees

If you do not pay the RRSC, and you must purchase the necessary recycling fee, you have the below purchase options:

  • Use the work order form.
    • For items coming to the drop-off site, you will be mailed a fee sticker.  You must wait until you receive the fee sticker before the item will be accepted.
     
  • Call the Streets Division offices to make the payment over the phone.  Staff will be able to help set up work orders for curbside pickup, too.
    • For items coming to the drop-off site, you will be mailed a fee sticker.  You must wait until you receive the fee sticker before the item will be accepted.
    •  
  • Visit one of the Streets Division offices to pay the fee in person. Staff will be able to help set up work orders for curbside pickup, too.
  • Mail a check to the Streets Division and enclose a note explaining the purchase. Make the check payable to City Treasurer.  A fee sticker will be mailed back to you.  If you need curbside pickup and wish to mail a check, please include your phone number on the note so we can contact you about the request.
    • Mail the check and letter to:

      • City of Madison Streets Division

      1501 W Badger Rd

      Madison, WI  53713

 

No Collection Available

The following items cannot be collected or taken to a drop-off site. Try the Dane County Recycling & Disposal Directory for options with these items.

  • Concrete
  • Concrete blocks
  • Bricks
  • Rocks, etc.
  • Shingles
  • Chemical containers or drums.
  • Pressurized gas containers.
  • 55 and 30 gallon barrels or drums.
  • Items longer than 8 feet.

 

other situations

Cardboard is not a large item. Follow the rules on the cardboard page to have your excess cardboard picked with your recycling, or take it to a drop-off site.

 

If you have more bags of trash than can fit into your full cart, that is not a large item collection.

Check our refuse collection rules so you know what to do when you have more bags of trash than your cart can hold.

You can also take excess trash to a drop-off site.

 

  • "Bagsters" from WM (formerly Waste Management)

When you purchase a "Bagster" from WM at your local hardware store, you must also pay to arrange collection from WM to remove that container. 

The City of Madison does not provide collection for these containers. 

The removal of these specialized containers is a private service offered by WM.  Essentially, a "Bagster" is very similar to any other dumpster service provided by private trash & recycling haulers in the area offer even though the container looks different.

Alternatives

Donate

There are many thrift store opportunities available locally and regionally.

You can find a list of secondhand stores on the Streets Division's Reuse It! webpage. You can also contact one of the many thrift stores in the area about the item you wish to give away. Many of them offer home pickup, too.

You can also give or sell items in online person-to-person exchanges. There are many online options, including popular neighborhood social media websites.

If you have a usable item you would like to give away, don't set it at the curb with a "free" sign. Rain, snow, passersby, and dogs can make items that were once usable no longer usable.  

 

Retailers & Dealers

Many area appliance dealers will haul away old appliances from customers. Several will haul them for a fee. When purchasing a new appliance, ask the retailer about their policy on removing old appliances.

There are also several scrap dealers in town who will accept most old appliances, some charge a fee. Call dealers first for prices and conditions of disposal.

Dealers that accept appliances include:

  • All Metal Recycling: 1802 S. Park St. (608) 255-0960
  • Kruser Recycling : 6421 Edna Taylor Parkway (608) 223-9220
  • Resource Solutions: 5493 Express Cir. (608) 244-5451
  • Alter Recycling: 4400 Sycamore Ave. (608) 241-1571