August Moving Days

On August 14th and 15th leases for most downtown area apartments end. That means thousands of residents will be moving all at the same time.

Every year, the August move out generates over 1 million pounds of material into the landfill.

Follow the rules and regulations below so Streets Division crews can collect all that waste material as quickly and safely as possible.

Also, 1 million pounds into the landfill !?! We can do better. Before you landfill it, donate it, or sell it online, or best yet, move it with you.

Donate & ReSell Your Usable Goods

After you have gathered all you you need for your new apartment, let's find a home for the stuff you don't need instead of adding it to the landfill.

Check out our "Reuse It!" website for a list of just some of the many, many options available locally that acceptable usable items.

There are many online person-to-person exchanges as well, including the various social media networks that connect residents to their neighborhoods.

Apartment Building Sites

In the past, Goodwill donation stations have been in select large apartment towers during move out times. For dates and other information about the donation stations, residents or large apartment buildings should check with their property manager. If you are unsure if your building will be doing this, or would like your building to participate, contact your property manager or landlord to see if Goodwill or another resale organization could set up a donation station for residents.

Fill 'Em Up & Roll 'Em Out - DAILY COLLECTION

For 2020, the Streets Division will empty refuse and recycling carts in the downtown moving area every day between August 3 through August 14.

During this window, fill up your carts with the appropriate material according to the guidelines below and roll them to the curb by 6:30 a.m.



We will empty your carts so you can fill them up again. And we'll empty them again the next day.

Use the carts as much as possible.

Plus, it keeps your neighborhood clean, and makes our collection much faster so we can stay out of your way while you move.

The moving areas will be monitored daily starting the last week of July. Crews collecting large items and emptying carts will be assigned to the student move areas as needed.

the rules & guidelines

The Basics

Use the right cart for the right material

Please keep your refuse and recycling carts separated from each other.

Make sure your carts remain accessible for our trucks and do not pile bagged trash, bagged recyclables, or large items around them.

Do not take the collection carts with you. Appropriate carts or dumpsters will be at your next apartment.

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 recycling in your tan refuse cart - all material in the tan cart goes to the landfill

Do NOT put trash in cardboard boxes. Boxes are recyclable. Stuffing them with trash means they get sent to the landfill

Place trash that will not fit into the cart in bags.

Guidelines for Green Recycling Carts

Only put recyclables in your green recycling cart.

If the recyclables are in the cart they should be loose. Do not bag them.

Have too much cardboard? Here are your options.

Use clear plastic bags for recycling that does not fit into the cart. Do not pile it loose at the curb or stuffed into another container

Do not stuff extra recycling into a cardboard box, either.

Guidelines for Furniture, Appliances, and Other Large Items

Do not pile bagged trash or recyclables on top of large items furniture or appliances set out for collection

Keep larger metal items separate from other material so that it can be recycled.

Most appliances, including microwaves, require a fee for collection. You will need to purchase a fee sticker prior to placing that item out for collection.

Guidelines for Televisions, Computers, Laptops, and Other Electronics

a bad example - do not do this

Follow the rules and make a plan to avoid messy piles like below.

See the non-recyclable garbage has been stuffed into the recycling carts?

See the garbage has been stuffed into cardboard boxes? That means the whole box goes into the trash.

See the other small trash scattered around, and the other items piled right under a tree?

We can be better.

Questions?

Check the Recyclopedia.

Or call:

(608)246-4532 if you live east of S. Park Street (and that includes the isthmus) or

(608)266-4681 if you live west of S. Park (and that includes the area around Camp Randall).

And you can email us.

A note for landlords

In 2020, individuals that own non-owner occupied property in the student move area will have received a copy of this letter providing notification about how the Streets Division will handle certain items set to the curb that should not be.

Be sure your tenants know their responsibilities on how to safely handle these items. Provide them with the Recyclopedia. You can also elect share with them the fact sheets we have for recycling, refuse, large item collection, and cart use.

Also, if items are dumped illegally on your property, it is a crime and should be reported to the Madison Police Department. After obtaining the case number from MPD, contact the Streets Division to learn the next steps.