Madison, WI trash pickup schedule
Madison trash and recycling: who collects, how often, how to find your pickup day, and what changes on holidays in 2026.
Population 286,233 (Census 2025 estimate)Last checked Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.
Contents10 sections
Quick answer
| Who collects | The city collects City of Madison Streets Division collects trash (weekly, paid by property taxes) and recycling (paid by the Resource Recovery Special Charge on the water bill). Not every property gets city service: homes on private roads, parking lots or carriage lanes, and properties using dumpsters or carts without the City logo, use private haulers. Large item pickup ended for properties with more than 8 units on 2025-01-01.13 |
|---|---|
| How often | Trash weekly, recycling every other week, yard waste set-out dates by address; collection during the work week after the set-out Sunday110 |
| Set out | by 6:30 a.m. on collection day; at the end of the driveway or on the terrace, not in the street; 5 ft from obstructions, serial numbers facing the road9 |
| Your pickup day | Address lookup: cityofmadison.com1 · Look up your day here |
| Holiday | Thanksgiving Day, Thu, Nov 26, 2026: Changes; see details. Thursday pickup moves a day earlier to Wednesday 2026-11-25 (first of a double holiday).2 |
Bulk items: Scheduled pickup: request it ahead (details). Drop-off sites: 2 listed (hours and fees).
Madison holiday trash schedule 2026
| City’s rule | No collection on City holidays. If a single holiday falls on your collection day, pickup is the next work day (only that day's route is delayed). Double holidays (Thanksgiving + Friday after, Christmas Eve + Christmas, New Year's Eve + New Year's Day): pickup on the first holiday moves a day earlier; pickup on the second holiday moves to the next work day after the break. Drop-off sites and offices are closed on City holidays. City holidays: New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Ho-Chunk Day (Friday after Thanksgiving), Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve.2 |
|---|---|
| Official notice | cityofmadison.com2 |
| Calendars 2027 | The per-zone PDF calendars already include a 2027 page (same holiday rules)17 |
| Holiday | Date | Pickup | What the city says |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1, 2026 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Mon, Jan 19, 2026 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Presidents' Day | Mon, Feb 16, 2026 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25, 2026 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Juneteenth | Fri, Jun 19, 2026 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Independence Day (Fourth of July) | Fri, Jul 3, 2026 (observed) | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7, 2026 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day | Mon, Oct 12, 2026 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Veterans Day | Wed, Nov 11, 2026 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26, 2026 | Changes; see details | Thursday pickup moves a day earlier to Wednesday 2026-11-25 (first of a double holiday).2 |
| Day after Thanksgiving | Fri, Nov 27, 2026 | Changes; see details | Ho-Chunk Day. Friday pickup moves to the next work day, Monday 2026-11-30.2 |
| Christmas Eve | Thu, Dec 24, 2026 | Changes; see details | Thursday pickup moves a day earlier to Wednesday 2026-12-23 (first of a double holiday).2 |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25, 2026 | Changes; see details | Friday pickup moves to the next work day after the break, Monday 2026-12-28.2 |
| New Year's Eve | Thu, Dec 31, 2026 | Changes; see details | Thursday pickup moves a day earlier to Wednesday 2026-12-30.2 |
| Holiday | Date | Pickup | What the city says |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | Changes; see details | Friday pickup moves to the next work day, Monday 2027-01-04.2 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Mon, Jan 18, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Presidents' Day | Mon, Feb 15, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 31, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Juneteenth | Fri, Jun 18, 2027 (observed) | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Independence Day (Fourth of July) | Mon, Jul 5, 2027 (observed) | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 6, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day | Mon, Oct 11, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Veterans Day | Thu, Nov 11, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 25, 2027 | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 24, 2027 (observed) | No dated list; see the city’s rule | See the city’s rule above |
Check your own day for the next three holidays with the holiday delay checker, or download a pickup calendar.
Bulk trash pickup in Madison
| How it works | Scheduled pickup: request it ahead1 |
|---|---|
| How to request | Complete the online Large Item Work Order (cityofmadison.com) before setting out; pick a set-out Sunday; crews collect during the following work week5 |
| Limits | Items under 8 ft long; separate metal/appliances from other items; keep 4 ft from obstructions; no large item collection for properties with more than 8 units5 |
| Fees | Free for households with City recycling service (covered by the Resource Recovery Special Charge). Others pay per item: $35 (major appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, AC, water heaters), $15 (microwaves, lawn mowers, grills, small fridges), $10 (truck/on-rim tires), $5 (car tires off rim)6 |
| Not accepted |
|
Recycling in Madison
| Pickup | every other week1 |
|---|---|
| Type | single-stream4 |
| Glass | accepted in cart (bottles and jars only)4 |
| Plastics | Plastic bottles, jugs, dairy tubs and similar containers only (no resin-number list; other plastics not accepted)4 |
Accepted
- Plastic bottles, jugs, dairy tubs and similar plastic containers4
- Flattened cardboard boxes, including pizza boxes4
- Junk mail, newspaper, office paper, packing paper, magazines4
- Cartons (milk, juice, broth) and paper cups4
- Glass bottles and jars4
- Aluminum, steel and tin cans4
- Shredded paper in a clear bag4
Not accepted
- Batteries, electronics, cords and wires, loose plastic bags and film, black/gray/white bags4
- Ropes, hoses, Christmas lights and other tangly items; textiles; wood and lumber; large metal items4
- Light bulbs, Styrofoam and other foams, sharps, trash, yard waste and brush, propane tanks and hazardous waste4
- Items smaller than 3 inches4
Programs
Yard waste, food scraps and seasonal pickups
| Yard waste pickup | yes, curbside piles on scheduled set-out Sundays (no cart)11 |
|---|---|
| Season | Spring (usually April and May) and fall (usually starting in October, three guaranteed pickups); no summer or winter collection11 |
| How often | set-out dates by address; collection during the work week after the set-out Sunday10 |
| Rules | Pile on the terrace or grass at the street edge, not in the street; bags optional (compostable paper preferred, left open); keep separate from brush; 5 ft from obstructions. Brush: 18 in-8 ft long, under 8 in diameter11 |
| Food scraps | No curbside food scraps. Drop-off at four farmers' markets in 2026 (season ends vary: Westside Community Market Saturdays to Nov 7; the others ended Oct 14-27) and at all three Streets drop-off sites (from June 1, 2026)14 |
| Christmas trees | 2025-26 season (latest published): curbside in two rounds; round 1 started Mon Jan 5, 2026 (collected by about Jan 16), round 2 started Tue Jan 20, 2026 (by about Jan 30); remove bags, stands, lights; wreaths and boughs go in trash; or take to a drop-off site. 2026-27 dates not yet published.12 |
| Leaf collection | Fall leaf collection: three guaranteed pickups starting usually in October, by address set-out dates (brush pickup pauses in fall); fall 2026 set-out Sundays are published per address (lookup / zone layer; e.g. one zone: Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 8, 2026)1115 |
Drop-off sites: landfill, recycling and hazardous waste
Streets Division drop-off sites (East, West, Central)
| Type | Recycling center |
|---|---|
| Run by | The city |
| Address | East: 4602 Sycamore Ave; West: 402 South Point Rd; Central: 1504 Quann-Olin Parkway · Map7 |
| Hours | Apr 11-Dec 3, 2026: Mon 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Tue 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Wed closed, Thu 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun closed. Dec 4, 2026 to spring 2027: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Wed, Sat, Sun closed. Closed on City holidays.7 |
| Fees | Free except listed appliance/tire fees for households without City recycling service (prepaid sticker)7 |
| Who can use it | Madison residents and taxpayers; proof required7 |
Dane County Clean Sweep (paint, chemicals, hazardous waste)
| Type | Household hazardous waste |
|---|---|
| Run by | The county |
| Address | Not published by the city (official page) |
| Hours | year-round (details on the county site)13 |
| Fees | Not published by the city (official page) |
Item guides: Mattress · Couch and furniture · Appliances · Paint · Batteries · Electronics · Tires · Motor oil · Christmas tree.
Missed pickup and contacts
| Missed pickup form | elam.cityofmadison.com1 |
|---|---|
| Phone | Streets East 608-246-4532, Streets West 608-266-4681 (Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.); [email protected]1 |
| 311 | Not published by the city (official page) |
| Official website | cityofmadison.com |
Nearby cities
- Rockford, IL60 miles · A private hauler under city contract
- Milwaukee, WI74 miles · The city collects
- Elgin, IL92 miles · A private hauler under city contract
- Aurora, IL108 miles · A private hauler under city contract
- Naperville, IL113 miles · A private hauler under city contract
- Davenport, IA122 miles · The city collects
All Wisconsin cities: Wisconsin trash pickup schedules.
Madison trash pickup FAQ
What day is trash picked up in Madison?
Trash is collected weekly. Madison does not use one citywide day: your day depends on your address. Look it up with the city’s address lookup (cityofmadison.com).
Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving Day 2026 in Madison?
Thanksgiving Day falls on Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Changes; see details: Thursday pickup moves a day earlier to Wednesday 2026-11-25 (first of a double holiday).
Is trash picked up on Christmas Day 2026 in Madison?
Christmas Day falls on Fri, Dec 25, 2026. Changes; see details: Friday pickup moves to the next work day after the break, Monday 2026-12-28.
Is trash picked up on New Year's Day 2027 in Madison?
New Year's Day falls on Fri, Jan 1, 2027. Changes; see details: Friday pickup moves to the next work day, Monday 2027-01-04.
How do I get rid of bulky items in Madison?
Scheduled pickup: request it ahead. Complete the online Large Item Work Order (https://www.cityofmadison.com/LargeItemWorkOrder) before setting out; pick a set-out Sunday; crews collect during the following work week Fees: Free for households with City recycling service (covered by the Resource Recovery Special Charge). Others pay per item: $35 (major appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, AC, water heaters), $15 (microwaves, lawn mowers, grills, small fridges), $10 (truck/on-rim tires), $5 (car tires off rim).
Does Madison recycle glass?
Glass: accepted in cart (bottles and jars only).
How do I report a missed trash pickup in Madison?
Use the city’s online form (elam.cityofmadison.com) or call Streets East 608-246-4532, Streets West 608-266-4681 (Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.); [email protected].
Sources
- 1 Trash & Recycling (collection schedule lookup)City · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 2 Holiday SchedulesCity · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 3 Trash GuidelinesCity · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 4 Recycling GuidelinesCity · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 5 Large items and appliancesCity · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 6 Items with FeesCity · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 7 Drop-off sitesCity · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 8 Collection Cart SizesCity · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 9 Cart PlacementCity · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 10 Brush & Yard WasteCity · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 11 Yard Waste & LeavesCity · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 12 Holiday Tree CollectionCity · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 13 For New Residents (new homeowners)City · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 14 Food ScrapsCity · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 15 Refuse Collection District (ArcGIS layer)City · maps.cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 16 2026/2027 Trash and Recycling Schedule PDF (thuA)City · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 17 2026/2027 Trash and Recycling Schedule PDF (thuB)City · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 18 2026/2027 Trash and Recycling Schedule PDF (friA)City · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 19 2026/2027 Trash and Recycling Schedule PDF (friB)City · cityofmadison.com · checked October 30, 2026
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Second-pass verification against every source: October 30, 2026. Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.