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Garbage, Recycling, and Cart Care Tips

Download our brochure about garbage and recycling services (English) / (Spanish)

All garbage must be in bags. Do not place loose garbage in the cart.

  • Why? This helps prevent litter, helps to not attract wildlife, and helps keep our neighborhoods clean.
  • Bulky items that do not fit in the garbage cart and construction and demolition waste have separate guidelines.

 

Items Banned From Landfill

Wisconsin's Waste Reduction and Recycling Law bans certain items from landfills.

Do NOT place these items in your garbage cart for collection. Click for resources on how to properly dispose:

Curbside Recyclables

Leaves

Grass

Branches and Brush

Appliances

Electronics

Hazardous Waste

Automotive items, such as tires

Recycling Tips

Recycling is required by State law and City ordinance. Learn more about Milwaukee's recycling program. Recyclables should be loose in the cart; don't bag them, please!

Unacceptable Items

Image of Contaminant Guidelines in Spanish

 

 

Accepted Items

Accepted items include aluminum and steel cans, food and beverage cartons, glass bottle and jars, cereal boxes, newspaper, magazines and mail, flattened cardboard, and paper tubes, and plastic kitchen, laundry, and bath bottles and containers. 

Know Before You Throw and When in Doubt, Throw it Out.

Here are a few items that are NOT accepted in your curbside recycling cart:

Plastic Bags and Wraps

Food and Yardwaste

Styrofoam and Plastics #3, #4, #6, #7

Fire Hazards (i.e., Batteries or Propane Tanks)

Tanglers (i.e., Hoses, Wire, Cords)

Needles and Sharps

Scrap Metal (Including Car Rotors)

Window Glass, Mirrors, and Bulbs

Wood Including Furniture

Hazardous Chemicals

Ceramics, Including Dishware and Drinking Glasses

Diapers

Cart Care and Replacement Policies

Carts are City of Milwaukee property. The following suggestions will help the cart have a long service life:

Preparing the Cart

  1. Write the address on the cart to help keep track of it, especially in tight alleys.
  2. Bag garbage before placing in the garbage cart. This helps deter wildlife and prevents litter in the neighborhood.
  3. Recyclables must not be bagged. Deter wildlife by rinsing food and beverage debris from recyclables.
  4. Do not overload the cart. Carts over 200 pounds will not be collected.

Cleaning the Cart

  1. To clean the cart, pour dish soap in the bottom and fill with several gallons of water. Swish around the water to remove the majority of debris. Dry in the sun.
  2. To deodorize a cart after cleaning, use a mild bleach-water solution in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the inside of the cart and let it air dry.

Treating a Damaged Cart

  1. If wildlife puts a small hole in the cart, fill a sock with moth balls, tie it to the cart's handle, and feed it into the cart to deter animals from coming back.
  2. If a cart repair or replacement is needed, City crews will leave a tag on your cart with instructions on how to request this service. To limit the public investment in new cart inventory, a cart that is still serviceable will not be replaced. Rodent hole damage does not qualify for replacement. If you were instructed to request a new cart, call 414 286-CITY or use the online service request form.

Collection Schedules

Online Service Request

or call 414-286-CITY (2489)

Drop Off Center

Information

Recycling Information

 

Sanitation 

Violations

Bulky Item Collection

Elderly and

Disabled Assistance

Yard Waste and

Composting

 

Hazardous Waste

Disposal

Garbage and Recycling

Cart Guidelines