The annual August moving days ritual in downtown Madison will begin soon. On top of packing, hauling, and saying goodbyes, movers need to decide just what to do with all their unwanted stuff.

Over the next few days, the Streets Division will be sending out multiple reminders so folks will know how to manage all these items and materials and get them handled safely and recycled appropriately.

Why Following the Refuse and Recycling Guidelines is Important
August moving days generates over one million pounds of garbage to send to the landfill. And Streets Division workers have pick up all of those one million plus pounds of stuff in the coming days. Following the rules will help make the move out safe and efficient for everyone.

Streets Division Operations during Moving Days
Starting on August 1, residents in the downtown moving days area can begin placing full collection carts and other items at the curb. The Streets Division will be monitoring the volume of material set to the curb for pickup and will assign crews as needed for collection services.

From August 6 until August 15, daily collection of the carts will occur. Residents should fill and re-fill these collection carts again and again during the daily collection window.

Using carts makes the move out faster and safer for everyone. Plus, using the carts appropriately keeps the city looking cleaner without bags of trash cluttering the terraces.

Guidelines for Trash

• Put all refuse at the curb in your tan refuse cart or trash bags. Do not pile your trash loose at the curb.
• Do not put trash in cardboard boxes. Boxes are recyclable. Stuffing them with trash means they get sent to the landfill.
• Please keep your refuse and recycling separated from each other.

Guidelines for Recycling

• Place only appropriate recyclables into the green cart. Consult the Recyclopedia to learn what can go into it.
• Excess recyclables that cannot fit into the cart should be in a clear or white bag and not scattered loose at the curb.
• Flatten and bundle cardboard boxes for recycling.
• Please keep your refuse and recycling separated from each other.

Guidelines for Using the Carts

• Make sure your carts remain accessible for our trucks and do not pile bagged trash, bagged recyclables, or large items around them.
• Leave the collection carts at the apartment. Do not take them. The carts belong to the City and must remain for the new tenants. There will be carts at your new apartment if that building uses City refuse and recycling services.
• Keep the recycling lid closed when out for collection. Rainwater can damage the paper inside.

Drop-off Sites
The Streets Division offers drop-off site services for all residents of the City of Madison.

If you have more recycling or refuse than can fit into the carts, and you cannot wait until your cart has been emptied for you to refill it, you can bring the excess to a drop-off site.

Residents can bring one load a day of refuse, recycling, or large items to either the 1501 W. Badger Rd. or the 4602 Sycamore drop-off site.

The single load cannot be larger than what would fit into a standard pick-up truck bed or small single-axle trailer. Loads larger than those guidelines will be denied access to the site.

The drop-off sites are open 8:30am to 4:30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and 8:30am to 8:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Individuals wanting to use the drop-off site will need to provide proof of their City of Madison residency.

Additional Information
If there are questions, all residents are encouraged to contact the Streets Division.

Residents who live east of S. Park Street, and that includes the isthmus, should call 608-246-4532.

Residents west of S. Park Street, and that includes the neighborhoods around Camp Randall, should call 608-266-4681.

Additional information can also be found on the Streets Division’s Moving Days website, the Streets Division’s electronics recycling website, and the Recyclopedia.

Don’t forget to watch and share the Streets Division’s YouTube video on how to have a fast and safe move out.