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 4, the Streets Division will begin our curbside brush and spring yard waste collection services. 
 
As in years past, crews will not follow a set schedule for these collections.  On April 4, 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.  Crews will continue to rotate through the city in this manner for the duration of the collection season.
 
Yard Waste Collection
Crews will complete two official rounds of curbside collection 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 to utilize 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 267-2088 for weekly updates and estimates on collection times.
 
When setting out yard waste, residents can pile the material loose on the terrace or curbside.  Residents can also place yard waste into open compostable paper bags, or in open plastic bags.  If bags are used, they should not be tied closed. 
 
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.

Yard waste should not be mixed with brush.  Brush and yard waste are processed differently, so they should not be commingled.  Piles of commingled yard waste and brush will not be collected.
 
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 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 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.
 
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.
 
Brush is woody material that is longer than 18 inches, but shorter than 8 feet long.  Brush should be set out with the cut ends facing the same direction.  Do not place brush into containers or bags.   Please do not tie brush together, or mix other material with it.  For other restrictions, please visit the Brush section of the Streets Division website.
 
Residents are again reminded not to commingle brush and yard waste.  Piles of mixed brush and yard waste will not be collected.
 
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.  Only yard waste can be brought to 402 South Point Rd.
 
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 4, 2016.
 
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.
 
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.

For more information for all Streets Division services, visit www.cityofmadison.com/streets.