Curb Side Yard Waste and Brush Collection Begins April 3, 2017
 
Finally, Madison, the weather and the calendar both show that it’s spring.  And it’s time to get outside and reclaim our yards from winter.  Starting on Monday, April 3, the Streets Division will begin our curbside brush and spring yard waste collection services. 
 
Please note that as in years past there are only two guaranteed collection opportunities for curbside yard waste collection in the spring.  Upon completion of the second collection round, curbside yard waste services cease until the start of the fall leaf collection season.  Curbside brush collection will continue through the spring and summer before ending later in the fall.
 
As in years past, crews will not follow a set schedule for these collections.  On April 3, brush and spring yard waste crews will begin collecting in the areas of the city that has a Monday refuse collection day.  Once crews have finished collecting from each street in that area, they will move into the area of the city that has a Tuesday refuse collection day.  Upon the completion of the Tuesday district, crews move into the Wednesday district. Crews will continue to rotate through the city in this manner for the duration of the collection seasons.
 
What Is Yard Waste?
Yard waste is considered leafy plant material.  Examples include pulled weeds, fallen leaves, and garden debris.  It also includes pumpkins, crabapples, black walnuts, pine cones, and even twigs that are less than 18 inches long.  For a full list of restrictions, visit the Leaf and Yard Waste section of the Streets Division website (www.cityofmadison.com/yardwaste).
 
Yard Waste Collection
Crews will complete two official rounds of curbside collection of yard waste before ending for the season.  Material set out after the second round of collection will not be collected until the start of the fall leaf collection in late September.  
 
Residents wishing to utilize this service are encouraged to set material out prior to crews arriving into their refuse collection area.  For daily updates on where the crews are collecting, residents should visit the Leaf and Yard Waste section of the Streets Division website and use the Collection District Maps.  Directions on how to use the maps are found on the website.  Residents can also call the leaf and yard waste hotline at 608-267-2088 for weekly updates and estimates on collection times.
 
How Should People Pile Yard Waste for Collection?
When setting out yard waste, residents can pile the material loose on the terrace or curbside.  Do not place it in the street directly.
 
Residents can also place yard waste into open compostable paper bags, or in open plastic bags.  If bags are used, they must remain open at the top.  Do not cinch, tie, or otherwise close the yard waste bags. 
 
Also, do not mix yard waste and brush together into a single pile.  Brush and yard waste are processed differently, and are collected by different crews, so they must be kept separate.  Piles that have yard waste and brush mixed together will not be collected.
 
What is Brush?
Brush is woody material likely trimmed from trees or bushes that is longer than 18 inches, but shorter than 8 feet long. 
 
Brush Collection
Crews will pick brush continuously throughout the spring, summer, and early fall.  Brush collection will end in late September when the personnel is needed for the fall leaf collection.  The actual end of brush collection and the start of fall leaf collection is weather dependent.  Future updates will be provided to announce the end of brush collection later this year.
 
Residents wishing to utilize this service are encouraged to set material out prior to crews arriving into their collection area.  For daily updates on where the crews are working, residents should visit the Leaf and Yard Waste section of the Streets Division website to utilize the Collection District Maps.  Directions on how to use the maps are found on the website.  Residents can also call the brush hotline at 267-2088 for weekly updates and estimates on collection times.
 
How Should People Set Brush to the Curb for Collection?
Brush should be set out with the cut ends facing the same direction.  And please take care to pile the brush neatly so workers can collect the material quickly without risk of cutting their hands or arms. 
 
Do not place brush into containers or bags.   Please do not tie brush together wires, or mix other material with it, such are rocks or metal.  For other restrictions, please visit the Brush section of the Streets Division website (www.cityofmadison.com/brushcollection).
 
Residents are again reminded not to comingle brush and yard waste.  Piles of mixed brush and yard waste will not be collected.
 
Special Note About Contractors
Brush will be collected if it is cut and set out by homeowners or residents only.  Brush created by contractors need to be disposed of by the contractor.  Contractors are also barred from using the resident & taxpayer only drop off facilities to dispose of the brush.  Contractors can use the brush processing facility at 121 E. Olin Ave. to dispose of the brush they create.  The website for the processing site is www.cityofmadison.com/streets/yardWaste/brushprocessing.cfm.
 
Drop-Off Sites
Residents and taxpayers can also use the city of Madison drop off facilities.  Brush and yard waste can be brought to 1501 W. Badger Rd. or 4602 Sycamore Ave.  The drop-off site at 402 South Point Rd. can only accept yard waste.
 
All three drop off sites are currently open seven days a week.  On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays the sites are open 8:30am to 4:30pm.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the sites are open 8:30am to 8:00pm.  These hours will remain in place until December 3, 2017.
 
Residents and taxpayers are restricted to one load a day.  The load should be the equivalent of one pickup truck full, or an 8 foot by 4 foot trailer.   Residents and taxpayers attempting to bring in more than this during one trip will be denied access and directed to the brush processing facility at 121 E. Olin Ave.
 
All users of the drop off site are expected to show proof of residency or taxpayer status to use the site.
 
Again, contractors are barred from using the drop off sites to dispose of material.
 
For more information regarding the drop off facilities, please visit the Drop-Off Site section of the Streets Division website (www.cityofmadison.com/streets/yardWaste/dropoffsites.cfm)
 
For more information for all Streets Division services, visit www.cityofmadison.com/streets.