Yard Waste Collection

Beginning in October, the Department of Public Works will collect leaves on a scheduled basis using two vacuum units working each weekday from 5:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.  We regret any noise made by these vehicles during these long hours of leaf removal.  It is difficult to keep up with the volume during peak periods.  Your cooperation and patience are appreciated.

You may rake your leaves into the curb and create piles no higher than the curb. Our equipment cannot handle taller piles, and the operator will be forced to drive around your taller leaf pile.  Do not mix garden waste into your leaf pile.  This will cause the sweeper to break down.  Open truck collection of larger leaf piles and garden waste will be held the first week of November.

District Map

Leaf Collection Schedule

• Monday - District 1
• Tuesday - District 2
• Wednesday - District 3
• Thursday - District 4
• Friday - District 5

Place your leaves in the curb the night before or before 5:00 a.m. on the day of collection.  Due to the amount of leaves, the schedule may vary.  Please take note of the day we are scheduled to be in your district and rake accordingly.  If your leaf pile is put out late, the sweeper cannot go back to pick it up.

Leaves may be raked into the street until November 30 or the first measurable snowfall.  At all other times, leaves may be disposed of by bringing them in to the drop-off site or by ordering a special collection for which you will be charged.

Fall Yard Waste Pick-Up

During the first week of November the Department of Public Works will pick up yard waste including garden debris, leaves and grass.  Plant materials and garden waste can be placed in the curb line for this specific week only.  Materials must NOT be in bags.  This special collection does NOT include trees, branches or brush. 

Crews will follow the regular sweeping schedule of one day in each district.  Please mark your calendar and have your yard waste at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day.  Crews cannot go back to pick up piles that are put out late or in bags.

Yard waste is only permitted on the curb during the fall yard waste pick-up the first week of November.

Brush and Branches

All residents are eligible to receive five free minutes of chipping time for branches and brush.  After that, there is a charge of $1.00 per minute with a 15-minute minimum. To order a brush collection, call 769-2216.

Spring Clean-Up

Each year the DPW conducts a free spring clean-up of residential waste.  Check your basement, attic, garage or yard for any items you would like to discard (furniture, carpeting, appliances, boxes of materials, yard waste and branches).  Hazardous or toxic waste cannot be taken.  Visit the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) website for a complete list of hazardous waste and collection facilities.

The free spring pick-up is limited to fifteen minutes of loading time.  Please place your items at the alley or curb.  Bagged or boxed yard waste (no plastic bags) may be put out for the free spring clean-up.  Branches left full length will also be collected. 

Items are collected by type of material (junk, brush, metals, etc.), with each truck handling just one type.  As a result, your items may not all be collected at the same time.

Spring Clean-Up will be done by aldermanic districts.

Orders for special collections cannot be taken during Spring Clean-Up.  Please call 769-2216 if you have any questions or need more information.

Please take advantage of the free spring clean-up.  This is the only free pick-up of the year!