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What Day Is Trash Pickup in Milwaukee, WI?

Updated November 2026

Quick Answer for Milwaukee

  • Trash day: Wednesdays, collected by Milwaukee Department of Public Works
  • Recycling: biweekly on Wednesdays — no plastic bags, no styrofoam
  • Next holiday delay: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026)
  • Bulk pickup: call 311 — free, no limit

Trash pickup in Milwaukee is weekly on Wednesdays. Milwaukee Department of Public Works collects trash, recycling (biweekly on Wednesdays), and yard waste (spring through fall). Bins out by 7:00 AM.

Quick Facts

Trash Provider

Milwaukee Department of Public Works

Municipal service

Contact

414-286-2489

Official website

Trash Pickup

Wednesdays (weekly)

Set out by 7:00 AM

Recycling Pickup

Wednesdays (biweekly)

14 materials accepted

Pickup Schedule

Trash Collection

Once per week

Wednesdays

Recycling Collection

Every other week

Wednesdays

Yard Waste

Seasonal (spring through fall)

Mondays

Schedules vary by neighborhood. Check with Milwaukee Department of Public Works for your exact pickup day.

Recycling Rules

Milwaukee accepts 14 materials for curbside recycling. No plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items.

Accepted

  • Cardboard (flattened)
  • Newspaper
  • Magazines & catalogs
  • Office paper & mail
  • Glass bottles & jars
  • Aluminum cans

NOT Accepted

  • Plastic bags & film
  • Styrofoam (EPS)
  • Paper coffee cups
  • Shredded paper
  • Batteries (household alkaline)
  • Electronics (e-waste)
Recycling rules for Milwaukee

Bulk Pickup

How to Schedule

Call 311 or hauler

Free Pickups Per Year

Unlimited (free)

Free — place at curb on regular collection day. Call 414-286-CITY for large loads.

Bulk pickup details for Milwaukee

Holiday Pickup Schedule

Federal holidays delay trash pickup in Milwaukee by one day. Next: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026).

New Year's DayJanuary 1, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. DayJanuary 19, 2026
Presidents' DayFebruary 16, 2026
Memorial DayMay 25, 2026
JuneteenthJune 19, 2026
Holiday schedule for Milwaukee

Composting in Milwaukee

AvailableCurbside pickup

Milwaukee offers curbside composting for organic waste. Check your hauler for green bin availability.

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash in Milwaukee.5 drop-off locations for household hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste drop-off in Milwaukee

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is trash pickup in Milwaukee?
Trash pickup in Milwaukee, WI is weekly on Wednesdays. Set out your bins by 7:00 AM. Milwaukee Department of Public Works handles residential waste collection. Recycling is collected biweekly on Wednesdays.
Can I recycle pizza boxes in Milwaukee?
Yes — Clean portions are recyclable. Greasy sections can go in compost where available, otherwise trash. Many programs now accept the whole box. In Milwaukee, pizza boxes are accepted in curbside recycling.
How do I schedule bulk pickup in Milwaukee?
To schedule bulk pickup in Milwaukee, call 311 or your hauler. Free — place at curb on regular collection day. Call 414-286-CITY for large loads.
Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in Milwaukee?
Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) affects trash pickup in Milwaukee. Pickup on this day and the rest of the week delayed by one day. Check with Milwaukee Department of Public Works for your specific route. Most federal holidays delay pickup by one day for the rest of the week.
What goes in the recycling bin in Milwaukee?
Milwaukee accepts 14 types of materials for curbside recycling, including cardboard, paper, glass bottles (check locally), aluminum and steel cans, and plastic #1, #2, and #5 containers. Do NOT put plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items in recycling. Rinse all containers before placing them in the bin.
Does Milwaukee have composting?
Yes, Milwaukee offers composting. Curbside composting is available — use your green bin for food scraps, yard waste, and food-soiled paper.
What do I do if they missed my trash pickup in Milwaukee?
If your trash was missed in Milwaukee, first confirm it was your scheduled pickup day and that bins were out by 7:00 AM. Then call Milwaukee Department of Public Works at 311 (or your hauler's direct line) to report the miss. Most cities require you to report within 24 hours. Keep your bins at the curb until the makeup collection, which is typically within 1-2 business days.
Where do I take hazardous waste in Milwaukee?
Milwaukee has approximately 3 household hazardous waste drop-off locations. Items like paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash. Auto parts stores accept motor oil for free. Best Buy and Staples accept electronics. For everything else, use your city's HHW collection events or permanent facility.

Related Pages

Recycling Guide

What goes in the recycling bin in Milwaukee

Bulk Pickup

Schedule large item pickup

Holiday Schedule

When holidays delay pickup

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics disposal

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Pickup schedules and rules are based on published municipal data. Schedules vary by neighborhood and route. Always confirm with Milwaukee Department of Public Works for your specific address. This page is for informational purposes only.