Refuse and recycling carts at the curb
Streets & Urban Forestry

Cart Rules and Costs

On this page you will find:

Exchanges

Residents can exchange a cart for a larger size at no cost by using the report-a-problem system or by contacting the Streets Division office that services their home.

Carts will need to be emptied for the exchange to occur and staff will follow up with you on additional steps.

You will need to know the serial number of the cart(s) you use now prior making an exchange.

Damaged and missing carts

Missing and damaged carts can also be replaced or repaired.

Use the report-a-problem form or contact the Streets Division to set up the replacement or repair.

You will need to know the serial number of the cart(s) the damaged cart if it is available.  Missing carts can be reported without that serial number.

Depending on the situation, residents may need to purchase their replacement cart if the cart is severely damaged or has gone missing.  This is a case-by-case situation, so contact the Streets Division to discuss the options.

What do you do with the carts when you move?

Do not take the carts with you.  

If you are moving to a new home in Madison, there should be new carts waiting for you there.

The carts stay with the home so whoever the residents are that live in that building can use them to have their trash and recycling picked up by the City of Madison.

Cart purchase prices and fees

If a resident needs an additional cart (or carts) to appropriately contain the waste they generate, additional carts can be purchased.

Here are the prices:

  • 65 gallon carts - $60
  • 95 gallon carts - $75

Resource Recovery Special Charge

If you are purchasing an extra recycling cart for your business, you are subject to an increase in your monthly Resource Recovery Special Charge.

Excess trash carts monthly fee

If you have more than 4 refuse carts per unit an additional yearly fee is required.

For the fifth refuse cart, and each subsequent cart, there is an $80 yearly fee.

(For example, if you have seven refuse carts at your home, you will have a $240 yearly fee - that's 4 refuse carts at no additional fee, and then an $80 yearly fee for each of the fifth, sixth, and seventh carts)

What can you put into the carts?

Use the online Recyclopedia to look up what you have.

Online Recyclopedia

You can find specific rules to the trash cart on the Trash Guidelines page. 

You an find specific rules about the recycling cart on the Recycling Guidelines page.

 

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Trash & Recycling