Madison Reporter

The 2025 spring yard waste collection period has concluded, with the final curbside set-out dates now past for all neighborhoods. Streets Division crews are currently completing collections in areas with a Sunday, May 11 set-out date. Once these last pickups are finished, the spring collection season will officially end as crews transition to other tasks.

Residents are advised not to place yard waste at the curb for collection now that the set-out dates have passed. Instead, they should take their yard waste to designated Streets Division drop-off sites. Home composting or mulching grass clippings into lawns is also recommended as an alternative.

It is important to avoid placing yard waste in trash or recycling carts. "Yard waste, like grass clippings, leaves, and similar plant debris, have been banned from Wisconsin landfills for over 30 years," and trash carts containing such materials will not be emptied. Similarly, "yard waste mixed with recyclables will damage sorting equipment," and recycling carts with yard waste will not be collected.

Drop-off site hours and locations vary seasonally; residents should check the drop-off site webpage before loading their vehicles to ensure they visit open sites.

Curbside yard waste collection will resume in the fall. The specific dates for fall curbside set-outs will be announced on the yard waste website later this year.

Yard waste includes weeds, leaves, grass clippings, and other plant debris collected from lawns or gardens. This material is transported to a processor for composting. It is distinct from brush—woody limbs and branches cut from trees and shrubs—which continues to be collected throughout the summer months. More information about brush collection can be found on the city's website.

For further details on yard waste collection and differentiation between yard waste and brush, residents can visit the Streets Division’s website.