Three Madison Drop-Off Sites, One Set of Rules to Check Before You Go
Madison does not operate one single all-purpose recycling center. City residents and property taxpayers can use three Streets Division drop-off sites for extra recycling, electronics, yard waste, brush, large items, Styrofoam, cooking oil and other accepted materials.
Hazardous household chemicals follow a different route through Dane County Clean Sweep, so identifying your item before loading the vehicle can prevent a rejected trip.
Quick answer for Madison residents
Use the East, West or Central Streets Division drop-off site for eligible resident materials such as excess recyclables, cardboard, electronics, batteries, molded Styrofoam, cooking oil, yard waste, brush, appliances, large items and excess trash.
Use Dane County Clean Sweep at 7020 Maahic Way for paints, fuels, solvents, pesticides, household chemicals and other hazardous waste. For ordinary weekly recycling, you usually need your green recycling cart rather than a trip to a drop-off site.
Choose the right Madison recycling or disposal route
The phrase “Madison recycling center” can point to several different services. The City’s Streets Division drop-off sites, curbside recycling, Dane County Clean Sweep and private recycling businesses do not accept the same materials.
Extra household recycling
Use one of Madison’s three resident drop-off sites for accepted overflow recycling and other listed resident materials.
Normal weekly recycling
Use the City’s address-based collection schedule and your green recycling cart for ordinary curbside service.
Hazardous chemicals
Paints, solvents, fuels, pesticides and many household chemicals belong at Dane County Clean Sweep rather than a Streets drop-off site.
Electronics
City of Madison residents can bring accepted electronics to Streets drop-off sites. Business electronics are not accepted through the resident program.
Large items and appliances
Couches, mattresses, appliances and similar items can use Madison’s large-item system, but some residents may need a recycling-fee sticker first.
Contractor or oversized loads
Contractors cannot use the resident sites for their projects, and oversized resident loads can also be turned away.
Madison drop-off locations: East, West and Central
The City currently operates three resident-facing drop-off sites. All three use the same published operating schedule, but each address serves a different part of Madison more conveniently.
| Site | Address | Useful local detail |
|---|---|---|
| East Drop-Off Site | 4602 Sycamore Ave., Madison, WI | The East Streets office is also located here. Fee stickers can be purchased at the office during customer-service hours. |
| West Drop-Off Site | 402 South Point Rd., Madison, WI | This is the west-side drop-off site. The separate West Streets office is at 1501 W. Badger Rd. |
| Central Drop-Off Site | 1504 Quann-Olin Parkway, Madison, WI | Opened April 11, 2026. Free wood mulch is available only at this location. |
Madison recycling drop-off hours for 2026
| Day | April 11–December 3, 2026 | December 4, 2026–Spring 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 7:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. | 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday | Closed | Closed |
| Thursday | 7:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. | 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. |
| Friday | 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. |
| Saturday | 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed |
Residency, ID, unloading and load limits
Madison’s drop-off sites are not unrestricted public dumps. They are intended for City of Madison residents and property taxpayers, and the City enforces both access and load-size rules.
Proof of eligibility
Bring proof connecting you to a City of Madison property. A driver’s license is common, but the City also lists documents such as a utility bill, tax receipt or vehicle registration.
Self-service unloading
You must unload your own materials. Site attendants cannot lift or remove items from your vehicle for you.
One trip per day
The City limits each eligible user to one drop-off-site trip per day.
Maximum load size
Your single load cannot exceed what fits in a standard pickup bed or approximately a 5 × 8-foot single-axle trailer.
What Madison’s Streets drop-off sites accept
The City’s published list covers a broad range of residential materials. Exact rules can vary by item, so the Madison Recyclopedia remains the best official item-by-item check when something is unusual.
| Material | City drop-off route? | Preparation or limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Extra cardboard | Yes | Empty and flatten boxes. Separate packing material such as molded Styrofoam. |
| Excess recyclables | Yes | Use normal Madison recycling preparation rules. |
| Electronics | Yes, resident service | Businesses and non-City residents need another electronics route. |
| Batteries | Yes | Check the Recyclopedia for the specific battery chemistry and damaged-battery instructions. |
| Molded Styrofoam | Yes | Keep it separate from cardboard and other recycling. |
| Cooking oil | Yes | Transport it in a secure closed container. |
| Yard waste | Yes | Follow seasonal yard-waste rules and site directions. |
| Brush | Yes | Separate from other materials and follow the posted brush area. |
| Appliances | Yes, with rules | Some residents may need a recycling-fee sticker for specific appliances. |
| Large items | Yes, with rules | Fee requirements depend on the item and whether City Streets collects recycling at your property. |
| Excess household trash | Yes | Stay within the daily load limit. |
| Selected food scraps | Yes | The drop-off program began June 1, 2026. Use the designated orange carts for accepted food scraps. |
What should not go through the normal resident drop-off route?
Hazardous chemicals
Paint, fuels, solvents, pesticides and many chemical products should go to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Contractor debris
Contractors cannot use City resident drop-off sites for project waste.
Business electronics
Madison’s City electronics drop-off service is for City residents, not businesses.
Oversized loads
Loads larger than the City’s one-trip size limit can be denied and may need a landfill or commercial disposal route.
Major construction waste
Large remodeling and construction loads are not handled as ordinary resident drop-off material.
Unverified items
If the City’s list does not clearly cover your item, check the Recyclopedia or contact Streets before loading it.
Madison large-item recycling fees and fee stickers
Not every Madison resident pays a separate large-item recycling fee. If the Streets Division collects recycling from your property, applicable recycling costs are generally covered through the Resource Recovery Special Charge on the Municipal Services bill.
If your recycling is collected privately, certain items can require a recycling fee before City drop-off. Drop-off attendants do not accept payment at the site.
| Fee level | Examples from the City’s current fee list |
|---|---|
| $35 | Air conditioners, dishwashers, dryers, freezers, furnaces, ovens, ranges, refrigerators over 50 lb., washers, water heaters and similar listed appliances. |
| $15 | Dorm-size refrigerators, fluorescent light fixtures, gas grills, lawn mowers, microwave ovens and snow blowers. |
| $10 | Large-truck tires and tires on rims. |
| $5 | Car or small-truck/SUV tires and tires off the rim. |
How to pay when a fee applies
- Use the City’s large-item work-order system online.
- Pay by phone through the Streets East or West office.
- Buy a fee sticker in person at the East or West Streets office.
- For a drop-off item, attach the required sticker before bringing the item to the site.
- Do not expect to pay a drop-off attendant.
TV, computer and electronics recycling in Madison
City of Madison residents can bring accepted electronics to the Streets Division drop-off sites with no additional electronics-recycling charge. This resident service does not accept business electronics or electronics from people who live outside the City of Madison.
The City’s accepted examples include televisions, computers, laptops, tablets, phones, printers, scanners, monitors, routers, modems, gaming devices, cameras, cords, small electronic appliances and many other devices that plug in or run on batteries.
If you are preparing batteries separately, see our battery recycling guide. For broader electronics preparation, see the electronic recycling center guide.
Paint, chemicals and hazardous waste: use Dane County Clean Sweep
Dane County Clean Sweep is separate from Madison’s Streets drop-off system. It is the local route for many hazardous household materials including paints, stains, solvents, fuels, pesticides, antifreeze, mercury-containing materials and other household chemicals.
Clean Sweep location and hours
7020 Maahic Way, Madison, WI 53718
Monday–Friday: 7:15 a.m.–3:15 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m.–10:45 a.m.
Sunday: Closed
Phone: 608-838-3212
Current household fees
Dane County households and farms currently pay $15 per hazardous-waste trip.
Separate current fees include $15 per television or computer monitor, $10 per microwave and $35 per refrigerant-containing item such as a refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner or dehumidifier.
Large loads and business waste
Clean Sweep asks visitors with large hazardous-waste loads to schedule in advance. Examples include a full pickup bed, trailer, a large SUV filled with material, or approximately 45 gallons or more of paint, stain or sealant.
Businesses must make an appointment before dropping off hazardous waste. Farms also have appointment requirements under the program.
For general HHW preparation, see our household hazardous waste recycling guide.
Food-scrap recycling and free wood mulch
Food scraps
Madison began free food-scrap recycling at all three Streets Division drop-off sites on June 1, 2026. The City directs residents to designated orange carts for accepted scraps such as coffee grounds, eggshells and qualifying fruit and vegetable scraps.
The food-scrap service is available only during normal drop-off site hours.
Free wood mulch
If your goal is free City wood mulch, use the Central site at 1504 Quann-Olin Parkway. The City states that free mulch is not available from the Sycamore or South Point drop-off locations.
Madison recycling-site holiday closures
Madison’s Streets Division does not operate its drop-off sites on City holidays. The City’s current holiday list includes New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Ho-Chunk Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
Use Madison’s address-based collection calendar for your home rather than assuming the entire week’s curbside schedule shifts.
Looking for your Madison recycling pickup day instead?
If your main question is when your recycling cart will be collected, you probably do not need a drop-off center. The Streets Division provides an address-based lookup for 2026 and 2027 trash and recycling collection dates.
- Open the City’s collection-schedule tool.
- Enter your Madison address.
- Review the next trash and recycling dates for that property.
- Download the full schedule when you need holiday or future-date planning.
Before-you-drive checklist for Madison drop-off sites
- Confirm that you qualify. Bring proof of City of Madison residency or property-taxpayer status.
- Choose East, West or Central. All three sites follow the same published hours, so choose based on location and any site-specific service you need.
- Check today’s official hours. Severe weather, City holidays or operational notices can change access.
- Stay within the one-trip load limit. Do not exceed a normal pickup-bed or approximately 5 × 8-foot single-axle trailer load.
- Sort the load at home. Separate cardboard, recycling, electronics, batteries, Styrofoam, cooking oil, brush, yard waste, trash and large items.
- Check large-item fees before driving. If your property does not receive City recycling collection, a listed fee item may need a prepaid sticker.
- Keep hazardous chemicals out of the Streets load. Use Dane County Clean Sweep for qualifying hazardous waste.
- Be prepared to unload everything yourself. Drop-off attendants cannot unload your vehicle.
- Use the Recyclopedia for unusual items. If the item is not clearly listed, verify it before leaving home.
Common Madison drop-off mistakes and how to avoid them
| Mistake | Why it causes a problem | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Arriving without proof of residency | The sites are restricted to eligible City residents and taxpayers. | Bring a driver’s license or other official document tying you to a Madison property. |
| Making two trips in one day | Madison permits one drop-off trip per day. | Plan the load carefully or return on another day. |
| Bringing an oversized trailer or load | Oversized loads are outside the resident-site limit. | Use multiple days or an appropriate landfill/commercial route. |
| Taking paint or chemicals to a Streets site | Household hazardous waste follows the Dane County Clean Sweep system. | Use 7020 Maahic Way and check Clean Sweep’s current fees and hours. |
| Trying to pay a fee at the drop-off gate | Drop-off attendants do not take payments. | Buy the required sticker online, by phone or through a Streets office before the trip. |
| Assuming a map listing proves the site is open | Weather, holidays and City notices can change access. | Check the City’s official drop-off page before leaving. |
Official Madison recycling resources and related guides
Madison drop-off maps and directions
East
4602 Sycamore Ave., Madison, WI
Open East site mapWest
402 South Point Rd., Madison, WI
Open West site mapCentral
1504 Quann-Olin Parkway, Madison, WI
Open Central site mapFrequently asked questions about Madison recycling drop-off
Where is the recycling center in Madison, Wisconsin?
Madison operates three Streets Division drop-off sites: East at 4602 Sycamore Ave., West at 402 South Point Rd., and Central at 1504 Quann-Olin Parkway.
What are Madison recycling center hours?
Through December 3, 2026, the sites are open Monday 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Tuesday 7:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m., Thursday 7:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., and Saturday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. They are closed Wednesday and Sunday. Winter hours begin December 4.
Are Madison drop-off sites open on Sunday?
No. The City’s published 2026 expanded-season and winter schedules both list Sunday as closed.
Do I need proof of Madison residency?
Yes. The sites are for City of Madison residents and property taxpayers. Bring a driver’s license or another official document that connects you to a Madison property.
How many trips can I make to a Madison drop-off site?
The City permits one trip per day. A single load is limited to approximately what fits in a standard pickup truck bed or a 5 × 8-foot single-axle trailer.
Can I bring electronics to Madison’s recycling drop-off sites?
Yes. City of Madison residents can bring accepted electronics to the Streets drop-off sites with no additional electronics-recycling charge. Businesses and non-City residents need another recycling option.
Where should I take paint and household chemicals?
Use Dane County Clean Sweep at 7020 Maahic Way for qualifying hazardous household materials such as paints, fuels, solvents, pesticides and other chemicals.
Does Dane County Clean Sweep charge a fee?
Yes. The current household hazardous-waste fee for Dane County households and farms is $15 per trip. Certain electronics and refrigerant-containing appliances have separate published fees.
Can contractors use Madison’s resident drop-off sites?
No. Contractors are not permitted to use the City’s resident drop-off sites for their projects.
Is Recycling-Centre.org an official City of Madison website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent information guide. Verify current hours, closures, fees, material acceptance and special rules with the City of Madison or Dane County before visiting.
Official sources checked for this Madison guide
Independent information guide: Recycling-Centre.org is not the City of Madison, Madison Streets & Urban Forestry, Dane County or an official recycling facility. Hours, holiday closures, accepted materials, recycling fees, load limits and hazardous-waste requirements can change. Verify time-sensitive or unusual loads with the responsible official program before driving.