Work order
required before any large item goes out; furniture is free
Fee items
refrigerant appliances, motor appliances, microwaves, and tires carry a recycling fee
3
Streets Division drop-off sites; electronics are free there in 2026 with proof of residency
Every route for carpet and rugs in Madison, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Madison guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Madison, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Madison large item collection by work order: carpet and rugs
FreeCarpeting is a named large item, free by work order; roll and tie it.
Who qualifies: Homes with Streets Division collection (properties of 8 units or fewer). Since January 2025, larger properties have no curbside large item service and use their private hauler, though all residents can use the drop-off sites.
How to schedule: Complete a large item work order at cityofmadison.com/LargeItemWorkOrder before setting anything out, choosing a set-out date. Furniture and most bulky items are free; refrigerant appliances, motor appliances, and a short list of special items carry a recycling fee paid when you schedule. Collection happens during the work week after your set-out date.
Limits: Only items listed on the work order are collected. Fee items are a defined short list; everything else is free.
Set-out: On the terrace or road edge along the public street on the date you picked, not early, not on carriage lanes or private drives. Collection follows sometime that week.
Freemoval (free pickups through partner organizations)
FreeFreemoval funds free junk removal and cleanouts for households referred by trusted partner organizations, such as nonprofits, housing programs, and senior services. Families don’t apply directly. A partner submits the request and vouches for the need.
Status in Madison: Not yet available. Freemoval currently serves metro Atlanta and plans to expand nationwide.
How it works where it operates: One free pickup per household, covering carpet and rugs, furniture, appliances, and bulk household items within standard LoadUp marketplace service. Funded by LoadUp customer round-ups and direct contributions, spent at standard LoadUp rates.
If you run a nonprofit or housing program in Madison: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Madison, Wisconsin runs a carefully structured large item pickup system: you choose a Sunday set-out date via an online work order, and city crews collect the items during the following work week. Metal items (appliances) and non-metal items (furniture) are collected by separate crews, keep them separated. Fees apply for appliances with refrigerants ($35) or motors ($15). Madison also has three drop-off sites open April through December for residents who prefer to self-haul. This guide covers every option for City of Madison residents (properties with 9+ units use private dumpster service, not city collection).
The Madison rule for carpet and rugs: Carpeting is a named large item, free by work order; roll and tie it.
Program basics: Only items listed on the work order are collected. Fee items are a defined short list; everything else is free. On the terrace or road edge along the public street on the date you picked, not early, not on carriage lanes or private drives. Collection follows sometime that week.
What the city will not take: Electronics (TVs, computers, printers) are never collected curbside under Wisconsin law; they are free at the drop-off sites in 2026. Construction debris and hazardous waste are not large items.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Madison Streets Division: Large items and appliances, City of Madison Streets Division: Large Item Collection guidelines flyer, City of Madison Streets Division: 2026 drop-off site hours and locations. Programs change; confirm fees and limits before you go.
Why carpet and rugs are different from ordinary bulk. The volume is the first surprise. Carpet rolls do not compress, and a whole house of carpet can be 500 to 1,000 pounds spread over 15 to 25 rolls. Bulk programs set item limits that a whole-house removal exceeds, so staged pickups or a hauler are often needed.
Three mistakes that get carpet and rugs left at the curb:
Paid options are for whole-house tear-outs that exceed bulk limits and for contractor-generated carpet, which residential bulk programs exclude.
Self-haul to a transfer station or recycler
$20 to $80Rolled carpet loads easily into a pickup or trailer. Transfer stations charge by weight; carpet recyclers charge a small per-pound fee or accept free where stewardship programs exist.
Weigh it in your head: about 0.5 pounds per square foot for carpet, 0.25 for padding.
LoadUp paid carpet pickup
$80+For Madison households who need same-day or in-home pickup, crew labor, or faster service than city programs allow, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Madison area.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal of your carpet. No prep needed beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $80 for a single item; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $600 depending on volume.
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 carpet pickup in Madison with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Madison proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Madison junk removal guide (every item type, city services, hazardous waste, and how to report dumping) and the national carpet and rugs disposal guide with rules for all 117 cities we cover.
Other free removal guides for Madison: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Madison pick up carpet and rugs for free?
Yes, free, rolled, with a work order.
How much does paid carpet and rugs removal cost in Madison?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single carpet pickup in Madison starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For Madison households who need same-day or in-home pickup, crew labor, or faster service than city programs allow, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Madison area.
Can I put old carpet out with bulk trash?
Yes in most cities, if it is cut into rolls under the program’s length limit (usually 4 to 6 feet), rolled tightly, and tied. Padding should be rolled separately. Contractor-generated carpet is usually excluded. Check your city’s rule below.
How do I cut and roll carpet for pickup?
Flip a section face down and cut strips 3 to 4 feet wide from the back with a utility knife and a straight edge. Roll each strip tightly and tie it in two places with twine or wrap it with tape. Keep rolls under about 50 pounds.
Is carpet recyclable?
Yes, though access varies. Nylon carpet is the most recyclable, and padding is widely recycled into new padding. California’s CARE program provides free drop-off statewide; elsewhere, carpet reclamation facilities and some flooring retailers accept it, sometimes for a small fee.
What do I do with the tack strips?
Pry them up with a flat bar, stack them nail side in, wrap tightly in cardboard, and tape. Put the bundle in the trash cart or with bulk, clearly wrapped so no one gets stuck.
Is this Madison page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Madison guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.
