A public resource guide
Every legitimate way to get rid of furniture, appliances, mattresses, and bulk waste in Milwaukee, including FREE 1-cubic-yard weekly bulk pickup, the Project Clean & Green annual spring program (up to 6 cu yd), the prepaid sticker requirement for mattresses/appliances/electronics, seasonal Drop-Off Centers (April-November), and what to do when paid hauling isn't an option.
Last updated: May 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
Milwaukee runs an unusually accessible weekly bulk system for the Midwest: 1 cubic yard of bulky items (about the size of a recliner or two garbage carts) can be put at your regular collection point for pickup on your regular collection day, no online request, no City call needed. Plus, Project Clean & Green is the City's annual spring bulk program: from approximately April 20-June 1, each zone gets one designated week when residents can place up to 6 cubic yards per property, including unwanted furniture, mattresses, household items, and yard waste in BROWN paper bags. Critical caveat: mattresses, large appliances (washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators, AC units), and electronics (TVs, computers, monitors) require PREPAID DISPOSAL STICKERS before placement, placing without a sticker may result in code enforcement notice or fine. Drop-Off Centers operate seasonally (Tuesday-Sunday 7 AM-3 PM, approximately April-November). Service is for 1-4 unit dwellings only, apartment buildings (5+ units) and businesses must use private haulers. This page walks through every legitimate option in order from free to paid.
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Milwaukee residents in 1-4 unit dwellings have free 1-cubic-yard weekly bulk pickup (no scheduling needed), free annual Project Clean & Green collection in spring (up to 6 cubic yards including yard waste in brown paper bags), free weekly trash, free biweekly recycling (April-November, suspended in winter for snow operations), seasonal free Drop-Off Centers (approximately April-November, Tuesday-Sunday 7 AM-3 PM), free MMSD Home Hazmat Collection events, and donation pickup programs. The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW) Sanitation Services provides residential service to approximately 190,000 households, only single-family homes and 1-4 unit buildings within city limits.
Free 1-Cubic-Yard Weekly Bulk Pickup (no scheduling)
Free, weeklyEvery week, Milwaukee residents in 1-4 unit dwellings can put 1 cubic yard of bulky items (about the size of a recliner or two garbage carts) at their regular collection point for pickup on their regular collection day. No online request, no City phone call, just place it out and the regular collection truck handles it.
Eligibility: 1-4 unit dwellings serviced by City of Milwaukee Sanitation Services. Apartment buildings (5+ units) and businesses must use private haulers.
Frequency: WEEKLY, on your regular collection day. No appointment needed.
Volume: 1 cubic yard (about a recliner or two garbage carts). For more than 1 cubic yard, use Special Pickup (fee-based).
Cost: Free for items not requiring a prepaid sticker.
Set-out time: By 7 AM at the alley line or curb line on your designated pickup date.
Storage rule: Carts and bins must be returned to the storage area by 10 PM (Sec. 79-5.5 and/or 79-32). Failure to return may result in violation and fine.
CRITICAL: Prepaid stickers required: Mattresses, large appliances (washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators, AC units), and electronics (TVs, computers, monitors) require PREPAID disposal stickers before placement. Refrigerators and freezers must have doors removed or secured open.
Sticker purchase: Call 414-286-CITY (2489) for sticker purchase locations and current prices. Place sticker on item before placing at curb.
Project Clean & Green (annual spring program, up to 6 cu yd)
Free, 1x per yearMilwaukee's Project Clean & Green is a City-wide program designed to foster neighborhood pride and ownership through coordinated cleanup. Collection crews target one zone each week from approximately April 20-June 1, collecting up to 6 cubic yards per property of unwanted furniture, mattresses, household items, and garden/yard debris in brown paper bags.
Frequency: 1 designated week per zone per year. April 20-June 1 (approximate annual window).
Volume: Up to 6 cubic yards per property, significantly more than weekly bulk.
Set-out time: By 7 AM of your assigned Project Clean & Green day. Place at regular garbage collection point (curb or alley line).
Yard waste: ONLY collection of the year for yard waste bags. Use BROWN paper yard waste bags from area stores. NO plastic bags, even biodegradable ones.
Cost: Free for 1-4 unit residences.
Eligibility: 1-4 unit dwellings only. NOT for apartment complexes (5+ units) or businesses.
NOT accepted: Appliances, tires, TVs, electronics, construction debris, paint and paint thinner, motor oil, hazardous waste. Use Drop-Off Centers or MMSD for these.
Find your zone date: Look up at city.milwaukee.gov/sanitation/Clean-Communities/ProjectCleanAndGreen.
Drop-Off Centers (Apr-Nov, Tue-Sun 7 AM-3 PM)
Free for residentsThe City of Milwaukee operates Drop-Off Centers where residents and property owners can self-haul a wide variety of waste materials. Centers are open Tuesday through Sunday, 7 AM to 3 PM during the seasonal operating period (approximately April through November; closed December through March).
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 7 AM to 3 PM. Closed Mondays.
Season: Approximately April through November. Closed December through March.
What's accepted: Bulk items, yard waste, electronics (TVs require fee), appliances, recyclables, and many other materials.
Cost: Most items free. Fees apply for TVs and Construction & Demolition Waste.
When this matters: Useful for items beyond the weekly 1-cubic-yard limit, items the curb won't accept, or off-cycle disposal between Project Clean & Green seasons.
MMSD Home Hazmat Collection (free events)
Free for residentsHousehold hazardous waste in Milwaukee is managed by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) through its Home Hazmat Collection program. MMSD operates three permanent collection sites and hosts 1-day drop-off events throughout the Milwaukee County area. All available to Milwaukee County residents.
Frequency: 3 permanent collection sites + 1-day drop-off events throughout the year.
Confirmed 2026 event: MLK Jr. School, April 18, 2026.
What's accepted: Paint, motor oil, pesticides, household cleaners, batteries (large quantities), fluorescent bulbs, propane tanks.
Eligibility: Milwaukee County residents.
Cost: Free.
Latex paint: Let dry completely (add kitty litter to speed drying), then place in regular garbage.
Single-use alkaline batteries: Can go in regular garbage per Wisconsin DNR.
Freemoval (partner-community pickups)
FreeFreemoval is a social impact program that subsidizes free junk removal pickups in partner communities, typically affordable housing properties and select municipal partnerships. Milwaukee partner expansion is in progress for 2026.
Eligibility: Households in active partner communities. Ask your property manager whether your building participates.
Status in Milwaukee: Onboarding partner properties throughout 2026.
Donation-pickup programs
FreeMilwaukee-area nonprofits offer free pickup for items in usable condition.
The Salvation Army Milwaukee: Free pickup of clothing, furniture, household items. Schedule at satruck.org or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK.
Habitat for Humanity Milwaukee ReStore: Multiple locations. Free pickup for furniture, appliances, building materials.
Goodwill Southeastern Wisconsin: Donation pickup for larger items in the Milwaukee metro area.
St. Vincent de Paul Milwaukee: Free pickup of furniture, clothing, household items for families in need.
DPW Sanitation Services service area. The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW) provides garbage and recycling collection for single-family homes and buildings with 1-4 units within city limits. Milwaukee serves approximately 190,000 households. Apartment buildings with 5+ units and businesses must use private haulers. Surrounding cities (Wauwatosa, West Allis, Greenfield, Brookfield, Mequon, Glendale, South Milwaukee) have their own waste contracts.
Three carts, weekly garbage, biweekly recycling. Garbage is collected weekly. Recycling is collected every other week (biweekly) on the same day as garbage. Recycling collection runs roughly April through November, collection frequency may adjust or be temporarily suspended during snow emergencies in December-March. Always place recycling carts out on your scheduled week; crews will collect materials as soon as possible after winter weather clears.
Set-out rules. Carts and bins must be at the collection point (alley line or curb line) by 7 AM on designated pickup dates. Carts must have a clear path to them and must be free from ice and snow accumulation. Carts and bins must be returned to the storage area by 10 PM per Sec. 79-5.5 and/or 79-32 of city code. Failure to return carts may result in a violation and fine.
Bagged-trash and loose-recycling rules. Garbage MUST be bagged. Recyclables MUST be loose, do NOT bag them. ASL (Automated Side Loader) trucks require carts to have lid opening to street/alley and handle closest to the house.
Recycling rules. Acceptable items: clean paper, cardboard (broken down), aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and jars, food and beverage cartons, and #1, #2, and #5 plastic containers. Items must be clean and placed loose in your blue cart. NOT accepted: plastic bags, Styrofoam, food-soiled containers, yard waste, electronics, batteries.
Wisconsin Waste Reduction and Recycling Law. Wisconsin's state law bans certain items from landfill. Do NOT place these items in your garbage cart. Recycling is required by State law and City ordinance. The City's "When in Doubt, Throw it Out" guidance applies to recycling cart contamination.
Bulky Item Pickup. Regular Pickup: 1 cubic yard at your regular collection point for pickup on your regular day, no online request or City call. Special Pickup: there is a fee for collecting more than 1 cubic yard. Place items at the collection point and request Special Pickup online or call 414-286-CITY (2489). For more than 6 cubic yards, loose material, or mixed materials (construction waste, recyclables, tires, brush/yard waste), pre-paid Special Pickup is required.
Carpet rule. Small amounts of carpet (the size of an area rug) can be picked up curbside and are NOT considered Construction and Demolition Waste.
Construction and Demolition Waste. C&D Waste is collected differently than bulky items. Take to a Drop-Off Center for a limited fee, or schedule a pre-paid Special Pickup request. Call 414-286-CITY for additional information and fees.
Holiday delays. Garbage and recycling pickups are delayed by one day for the remainder of the week when major holidays fall on your collection day: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
Cart issues. Carts are City of Milwaukee property. Suggestions for long cart life: write the address on the cart to help keep track of it, especially in tight alleys. Damaged or missing carts: contact DPW.
Find your collection day. Use the official address lookup at city.milwaukee.gov/sanitation/schedules, enter your address to see upcoming collection dates and sign up for email/text reminders.
Customer service. Sanitation Services: 414-286-CITY (414-286-2489). City of Milwaukee Sanitation Department: city.milwaukee.gov/sanitation.
Milwaukee's donation programs accept items in good usable condition: clean upholstered furniture without significant tears or stains, working appliances less than 10 years old, mattresses in good condition (subject to program-specific rules), kitchenware, lamps, and most household goods.
Items typically not accepted: damaged or stained furniture, mattresses with bedbug history or significant wear, appliances that don't work, particle-board furniture in poor condition, cribs (federal safety regulations have changed), and exercise equipment that requires reassembly. Always call before scheduling if you're unsure, pickups that find unacceptable items will leave them behind.
For households who exceed the weekly 1-cubic-yard limit and need pickup before next Project Clean & Green season, live in apartment buildings (5+ units) without DPW service, have construction debris that exceeds Drop-Off Center capacity, can't wait for the seasonal Drop-Off Centers (closed December-March), or need same-day or in-home pickup, paid options are available. Note: Milwaukee's combination of free weekly 1-cubic-yard bulk + Project Clean & Green (6 cu yd annual) + seasonal Drop-Off Centers handles most cleanouts free with planning.
LoadUp paid pickup
$80+For households who need same-day or in-home pickup, exceed the weekly 1-cubic-yard limit, can't wait for Project Clean & Green or Drop-Off Centers, live in apartment buildings without DPW service, have items the City won't accept, or want full-service hauling without managing prepaid stickers, LoadUp offers professional removal in Milwaukee with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal.
What's included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal. No prep needed beyond pointing out what goes, crew handles in-home pickup. We handle prepaid sticker logistics for you.
Pricing: Starts around $80 for a single item; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $600 depending on volume.
When this beats waiting: Move-outs, real estate timelines, multi-load cleanouts, items the City won't accept (large electronics, construction debris), winter cleanouts when Drop-Off Centers are closed.
Other paid services in Milwaukee: 1-800-Got-Junk Milwaukee, College Hunks Hauling Junk, Junk King, comparison-shop for larger jobs.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. Every paid LoadUp customer can opt in to round up at checkout, and 100% of round-ups go directly to Freemoval’s subsidized jobs.
Book a Milwaukee pickup with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Special Pickup ($pay per cubic yard)
Variable feeFor amounts beyond 1 cubic yard, the City offers Special Pickup for a fee. Place items at the collection point and request online or call 414-286-CITY (2489). Loose material, mixed materials, or piles over 6 cubic yards require pre-paid Special Pickup with City coordination.
How to schedule: Request online at city.milwaukee.gov/sanitation OR call 414-286-CITY (414-286-2489).
Cost: Variable based on volume and material type. Call for current rates.
When required: More than 1 cubic yard, more than 6 cubic yards (pre-paid required), loose material, mixed materials, construction waste, tires, brush/yard waste mixed with other items.
Different items have different rules in Milwaukee. Here's a quick reference for the most common things people need to dispose of.
Milwaukee residents have free hazardous waste disposal through the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Home Hazmat Collection program. MMSD operates 3 permanent collection sites plus 1-day drop-off events throughout Milwaukee County. All available to Milwaukee County residents free of charge. Confirmed 2026 event: MLK Jr. School, April 18, 2026. Visit mmsd.com/home-hazmat-collection for current sites and event schedule. Wisconsin-specific notes: Latex paint can be dried completely (add kitty litter to speed drying) and placed in regular garbage. Single-use alkaline batteries CAN go in regular garbage per Wisconsin DNR. Several retailers also offer ongoing free recycling: Home Depot for batteries and CFL bulbs, AutoZone for motor oil and car batteries, Best Buy for electronics, most pharmacies for unused medications.
To report illegal dumping in Milwaukee, call 414-286-CITY (414-286-2489) or use the City's reporting tools at city.milwaukee.gov. Reports can also be filed online. Include the location, description of dumped material, and a photo if possible. Milwaukee actively investigates dumping reports through DPW Sanitation Services and Code Enforcement, placing mattresses, appliances, or electronics at the curb without prepaid stickers can result in code enforcement notice or fine. If you're considering dumping because of cleanout volume, please use the FREE 1-cubic-yard weekly bulk pickup or the seasonal Drop-Off Centers, with 52 weeks of free disposal opportunities plus annual Project Clean & Green (6 cu yd), most cleanouts can be handled completely free with planning. For urgent timelines, paid haulers like LoadUp at $80+ are dramatically cheaper than illegal dumping fines under Wisconsin law.
Is there really free junk removal in Milwaukee?
Yes, if you live in a 1-4 unit dwelling within Milwaukee city limits, you get free 1-cubic-yard weekly bulk pickup with NO scheduling needed (just place at your regular collection point on your regular day). PLUS once a year (approximately April 20-June 1), Project Clean & Green collects up to 6 cubic yards per property including yard waste in brown paper bags. PLUS seasonal Drop-Off Centers (Tuesday-Sunday 7 AM-3 PM, April-November) for self-haul. PLUS MMSD Home Hazmat Collection events for hazardous waste. PLUS donation pickup through Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, Goodwill, and St. Vincent de Paul. Critical caveat: mattresses, large appliances, and electronics REQUIRE prepaid disposal stickers before placement, call 414-286-CITY for sticker locations and prices. Apartment buildings (5+ units) and businesses are NOT eligible for City service and must use private haulers.
Why do mattresses, appliances, and electronics need prepaid stickers?
These three categories cost the City dramatically more to dispose of than ordinary household waste: mattresses require deconstruction and material recovery (springs, foam, fabric all separately processed), large appliances require refrigerant recovery (federal EPA requirement) and metal recycling, and electronics require certified e-waste recycling under Wisconsin's Electronic Recycling Law. The prepaid sticker covers the disposal cost, ensuring the City's general bulk pickup budget isn't consumed by these high-cost items. The sticker amount typically runs $10-$25 depending on item type, significantly less than what private haulers charge ($80+ at LoadUp), but it's a real cost that needs to be paid up front. Place sticker on item before placing at curb. Without sticker: code enforcement notice and possible fine. Call 414-286-CITY for sticker purchase locations and current prices.
When is my Project Clean & Green week?
Project Clean & Green runs approximately April 20 through June 1 each year, with each zone targeted for one specific week. Your zone's designated week is determined by where you live and is announced before the season. To find your specific week: look up your address at city.milwaukee.gov/sanitation/Clean-Communities/ProjectCleanAndGreen. On your assigned day, place items at your regular garbage collection point (curb or alley line) by 7 AM. In most cases, everything is picked up on garbage collection day, but allow through the following business day for all items to be collected. Use BROWN PAPER yard waste bags from area stores, this is the only collection of the year for yard waste bags. Don't use plastic bags, even biodegradable ones. The 6-cubic-yard limit is per property, so combine items into a single pile rather than scattering them.
How do I qualify for Freemoval in Milwaukee?
Freemoval works through partner communities, typically affordable housing operators, public housing authorities, and select municipal partnerships. We’re actively expanding partnerships in Milwaukee through 2026. If your property is part of the program, your property manager will provide a booking code. If you operate housing or work in a city department in Milwaukee, contact us to discuss adding your community.
Why are Drop-Off Centers closed in winter?
Milwaukee's Drop-Off Centers operate seasonally (approximately April through November) because Wisconsin winters create operational challenges that close most non-essential outdoor City services from December through March: snow and ice removal in DPW vehicle yards takes priority over drop-off operations, materials brought to centers freeze and become difficult to process, and visitor traffic plummets to volumes that don't justify staffing. The seasonal closure is similar to many Northern cities (Buffalo, Rochester, Minneapolis follow similar patterns). Plan accordingly: if you have items to dispose of, the November closing date is your last chance until April. Off-season alternatives during winter: weekly 1-cubic-yard bulk pickup continues, MMSD Home Hazmat Collection events still occur (check schedule), and donation programs (Salvation Army, Habitat) accept items year-round.
Can I really put alkaline batteries in regular trash?
Yes, this is a Wisconsin-specific rule that surprises many residents who moved from other states. Per the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), single-use alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt) CAN be disposed of in regular household garbage. The reasoning: modern alkaline batteries no longer contain mercury (a 1996 federal law removed mercury from consumer batteries) and the remaining materials don't pose enough environmental risk to justify the costs of dedicated battery disposal infrastructure. HOWEVER: rechargeable batteries (lithium-ion, NiCd, NiMH) and large batteries (car batteries, motorcycle batteries) STILL must go to MMSD Home Hazmat Collection or retailer drop-off. Lithium batteries especially, they're a fire hazard in trash trucks and waste-to-energy facilities. When in doubt, take batteries to a retailer drop-off (Home Depot, Best Buy, etc.) or MMSD.
How do I report illegal dumping in Milwaukee?
Call 414-286-CITY (414-286-2489) or report online at city.milwaukee.gov. Include location, description of dumped material, and a photo if possible.
Is this page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated May 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.
Freemoval is actively onboarding Milwaukee partner properties through 2026. Reach out to prioritize your community.
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