Milwaukee, Wisconsin resident guide
Milwaukee trash, recycling, bulk pickup & fall leaf collection
Find the Milwaukee address schedule, compare the free bulk allowance with paid pickups, and use the new 2026 paper bag option for fall leaves.
Official source links checked on August 31, 2026.
Regular household service
Trash and recycling service
Start here for the recurring household collections residents use most often.
Milwaukee garbage is collected on the address schedule. Collection timing can change by season, holiday, or winter access, so the official lookup is more reliable than a fixed weekday list.
Milwaukee recycling follows the address schedule rather than one citywide weekday. The official lookup provides the next garbage and recycling dates and offers reminder notifications.
Need it gone before the city service?
Get a LoadUp quote when the local date is too far away or an item is excluded.
Start here
How Milwaukee service works
A pile measuring one cubic yard or less can follow the normal collection. For a larger pile, submit the official special pickup request or call 414-286-CITY before setout. Use the address schedule to confirm the collection date and location.
Milwaukee 2026 resident collection guide
Milwaukee uses pile volume for bulk and two leaf setout options
A small eligible bulk pile can follow regular service, while a larger pile needs a paid request. During the 2026 fall window, residents can choose loose curb lane leaves or request collection of paper bags.
A larger pile needs the paid special pickup service.
The charge depends on whether the pile is up to four or six cubic yards.
Use the official lookup because seasonal and holiday timing can change.
Keep a one foot drainage gap between the pile and curb.
Call 414-286-CITY for bagged leaf collection and never use plastic bags.
Fall leaf and yard waste pickupMilwaukee added a paper bag leaf option for fall 2026Exact 2026 rake out window confirmed
Residents may rake loose leaves into the curb lane from October 1 through November 15. New for 2026, residents may instead use biodegradable paper bags and request collection through 414-286-CITY.
Crews begin cycling through the City in mid October and make a final sweep.
The gap protects drainage and helps collection equipment reach the pile.
Call 414-286-CITY and never use plastic bags for leaf collection.
Published fall 2026 collection windows
- October 1 through November 15, 2026
What residents should do
- Choose loose curb lane placement or biodegradable paper bags during the fall window.
- For loose leaves, keep a one foot gap from the curb and keep storm drains clear.
- For paper bags, call 414-286-CITY to submit the new Leaf Pick Up request.
- Keep brush, grass, pumpkins, plastic bags, and litter out of the leaf material.
City rules at a glance
Local limits before placement
One cubic yard is included with regular service. Milwaukee currently lists a $75 charge for more than one and up to four cubic yards, and $225 for more than four and up to six cubic yards.
Use the regular collection point and keep carts, sidewalks, alleys, and traffic lanes clear. Schedule a larger pile before placing it outside. Winter snow operations can change the accessible collection point.
Local detail that matters
What makes Milwaukee service different
Milwaukee measures bulky material by pile volume, not by item count. Fall leaves use a different program: loose curb lane piles need no request during the rake out window, while the new paper bag option requires a service request.
Item guidance
What may go in the bulk item pile
Accepted examples
Eligible household furniture, mattresses, large toys, and other nonhazardous bulky household material within the published volume limit.
Not accepted
Televisions, electronics, appliances, tires, yard waste, construction debris, and hazardous material do not belong in ordinary bulky collection. Use the City's drop off or special disposal program for those items.
Holiday collectionMilwaukee publishes no collection city holidaysPublished 2026 dates confirmed
Milwaukee does not collect garbage or recycling on the listed city holidays. The address schedule shows the adjusted date after each closure, and winter operations can cause additional delays.
No city collection
The address specific schedule provides the adjusted collection date.
- New Year’s Day. Thursday, January 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Monday, January 19
- Good Friday. Friday, April 3
- Memorial Day. Monday, May 25
- Juneteenth. Friday, June 19
- Independence Day observed. Friday, July 3
- Labor Day. Monday, September 7
- Thanksgiving. Thursday and Friday, November 26 to 27
- Christmas. Thursday and Friday, December 24 to 25
Common questions
Milwaukee collection FAQ
Do I need to schedule one small Milwaukee bulky item?
Not when the total eligible pile is one cubic yard or less. Place it at the normal collection point for the regular service and stay within the published rules.
How much does a larger Milwaukee bulk pickup cost?
The City currently lists $75 for more than one and up to four cubic yards, and $225 for more than four and up to six cubic yards. Schedule the pickup before setout.
Will Milwaukee collect a television or appliance as ordinary bulk?
No. Televisions, electronics, and appliances use a City drop off or another published disposal program rather than ordinary bulky collection.
When can Milwaukee residents rake loose leaves to the curb?
The 2026 rake out window runs October 1 through November 15. Leave a one foot gap between the loose leaf pile and the curb, and keep brush, grass, pumpkins, and litter out.
What is Milwaukee's new paper bag leaf option?
Beginning in fall 2026, residents may place leaves in biodegradable paper bags at the curb and request pickup by calling 414-286-CITY. Plastic bags are prohibited.
How do I find a Milwaukee garbage or recycling date?
Enter the service address in the official garbage and recycling schedule. It shows the next dates and is the best source after a holiday or winter service change.
Sources used for this guide
Official supporting information
TrashDayFinder used these public sources to prepare the resident guidance above. They were checked on August 31, 2026 and are provided here as evidence.
More Wisconsin guides