Collections Information

Household garbage

• Garbage from single family and 2-4 family homes is picked up weekly at the curb or alley year round, except holidays.  
• Place the green wheeled cart provided by the City at the curb or alley by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day. 
• Up to 5 extra bags, boxes, or bundles of materials will be picked up with your regular collection
•  Call 414-471-8422 for collection of larger amounts subject to special collection fees (see below) and for information other options such as paid backyard pickup.  

Complete information is available on these and the following items by clicking HERE for the 2009 Guide for Recycling, Yard Materials, & Garbage.  The Guide is a large file and may take a short time to transfer to it, but it is also available in printed form at the Library, City Hall, and the Public Works office.

Recycling in CARTS replaced Blue Bag recycling

• By Wisconsin law, recycling is mandatory for everyone in the state, including Wauwatosa. 
• Since December 2007, recyclables are picked up from the black cart with the yellow lid EVERY-OTHER-WEEK by a fully-automated truck with a robotic arm to lift and dump the contents into the truck. 
• All recyclables need to be inside the cart.  See much more information on this CART program by clicking HERE .
  

Yard Materials

• Yard materials are not "waste" because they are recycled. 
• Brush, branches and small amounts of containerized leaf/plant materials (up to 5 containers or bundles) are collected every other week, mid-April through mid-October.  
• Place yard materials in reusable containers marked "Yard Materials" (or "Yard Waste") in letters 2 inches or bigger.  Have it out at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day. 
• NO GRASS CLIPPINGS, fruits, vegetables are collected. 
•  Brush/branches are collected and should be bundled with twine (not wire) in bundles less than 4 feet long and under 50 pounds.  
• DO NOT USE PLASTIC BAGS OR CARDBOARD BOXES as containers.
• Click HERE for more "SMART" information on how to handle yard materials.

Fall leaf collection

• Seasonal leaves are picked up from the curb from mid-October through mid-November. 
• Rake them loose into the curb ONLY at that time, and do not block sewer catch basins. 
• Or better yet, mow your leaves in place to mulch them into your lawn for a soil conditioner; and click HERE for how best to do so. 
• Click HERE for more information from the Guide on leaf collections and yard materials.

Garbage cart repairs

• Call 414-471-8422 for repair of broken carts. 
• Normal maintenance of the cart, such as periodic rinsing and cleaning, is the homeowner's responsibility.

Litter containers

• City trash receptacles placed throughout the City are routinely collected by City crews. 

Animal carcass pickup

• Call 414-471-8422 for pickup of dead animals.

Special collections

The City offers several types of Special Collections of large items and/or waste materials for a fee, and include the following items.

• Large piles of unbundled branches and/or brush.
• Major household appliances.
• Large bulky items, such as discarded furniture, household equipment, excessive clean-outs, etc., which exceed size and weight limitations.

A cost estimate and specific details regarding each type of special collection can be obtained by calling the Public Works office at 414-471-8422.  

To avoid or lessen these charges you are encouraged to dispose of the above items at the Drop-off Center at 11100 W. Walnut, any Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  For example, appliance recovery fees are only $20.00 each at the Drop-off, yet $40.00 if picked up at the curb.  Click HERE for more details on Special Collections.

Items never picked up at the curb or alley

• Certain other items are never picked up at the curb, either as special or regular collections: tires, used motor oil, vehicle batteries, paint and household hazardous wastes.
• Tires can be taken to the Drop-off Center for $3.00 each, and used motor oil can be dropped off there free.
• Car/truck batteries should be taken back to retailers or to private scrap dealers.
• Latex paint must be completely used up or dried out; then the empty/dry paint cans may be collected with regular garbage. Latex and oil/lead paints and other Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW) can be taken to the free disposal facilityor mobile HHW collection sites.  Click HERE for more information on HHW. 
• Medical waste such as syringes and sharps are not collected at the curb/alley or Drop-Off Center either.  Click HERE for information on proper disposal of such medical items.