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Refuse & Recycling

Show All Answers

1. When will my trash and recycling be collected?

You can search for your property by tax key or address in our online Property Search to find the day of the week your trash and/or recycling will be collected. Recycling is collected every other week. See our Document Library for the current collection schedule. Collection may be delayed during holiday weeks. Check the website for any collection schedule changes or sign up for email or text message alerts when collection schedules change.

2. What do I do with leaves and yard waste?

The State of Wisconsin has banned yard waste such as leaves, weeds, flowers, vines and other non-fruit or vegetable matter from being collected and disposed of with household trash. Yard waste can be disposed of in several ways. First, start a backyard compost pile. Second, yard waste materials may be placed in the curb-line of the street in 2023 from April 23 to May 14 and October 1 through the week of November 19.  In 2024 collection dates are April 21 to May 12 and September 29 through the week of November 17.

• Remove pots and soil from potted plants before placing them in the curb-line. 
• Rake the yard waste into the street along the curb-line forming a long, low pile.
• If there is no curb on your street, place yard waste along the roadway in a long, low pile. 
• Wet the yard waste to keep it from blowing. 
• When parking on the street be mindful of leaf pile locations and allow a 15 foot clearance.
• Yard waste cannot be collected from drainage ditches, alleys, ash boxes, or large piles in your yard or driveway, or between the walk and curb. 
• Do not place yard waste in refuse containers for collection. 
• Do not burn your yard waste. This is a fire hazard to your neighborhood, your home and City equipment.
• Do not mix brush, woody plants, grass, or other debris in your yard waste piles.

What about pine cones, apples, acorns/nuts, "whirly birds" from maple trees?

• These materials are considered "fruit" from a tree and can go in either the garbage OR your yard waste pile.
• For ease of collection and to prevent clogging storm drains it is preferred that the material is bagged and placed in the garbage.

You may also bring your yard waste to one of the West Allis drop-off sites for disposal without charge. View drop-off site locations and hours.

3. Can I recycle appliances?

Large appliances such as washers, dryers, water heaters, freezers, refrigerators, etc, are not collected by the City. Property owners may contact a private hauler and arrange for a collection (see our appliance webpage for a list of appliance haulers). Televisions and small appliances can be dropped off at the Municipal Yard as part of the electronics collection program (see e-cycling webpage for more information about electronics collection).  Fees may apply for some items.

4. How do I recycle batteries?

Alkaline (Single Use) Batteries (Not Accepted) These are not accepted at the West Allis Municipal Yard. Never put these batteries in your recycling cart. Single-use batteries (A, AA, AAA, C, D, etc.) can be thrown out in your regular garbage or can be recycled for a fee through a variety of mail-in programs or local retail drop-offs. Recycling these batteries through mail-in or retail drop off programs can recover steel and zinc.  

5. Where can I purchase a garbage cart?

Garbage carts are available for purchase from the City of West Allis by calling (414) 302-8800 weekdays between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. or online. Carts are available in 96 gallon sizes and cost $58. Prices are subject to change. See our Document Library for garbage containment guidelines.

6. Where can I purchase a recycling cart?

Recycling carts are available for purchase from the City of West Allis by calling (414) 302-8800 weekdays between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. or online. Carts are available in 96 gallon sizes and cost $65. Prices are subject to change. See our Document Library for recycling guidelines.

7. How should I prepare brush and branches for collection?

Brush is defined as branches from trees and trimmings from bushes. Residents should place brush at the curb on the scheduled recycling collection day. Large pieces of brush, up to five feet in length, should be bundled and stacked parallel between the sidewalk and the curb, not in the street. Small pieces of brush must be contained in boxes or cans marked "BRUSH" and the address called in to ensure collection. Do not use plastic bags to contain the brush. Brush in excess of 1 cubic yard and/or longer than five feet will require a special pickup and will incur an additional charge.

8. When will brush be collected?

Brush collection is concluded for 2023.  In 2024, the City will provide every other week collection of small amounts of resident-generated brush, up to 1 cubic yard, on the scheduled recycling pick-up day between June 3 (red week) and October 4 (black week). View the current collection schedule to find out if your property is a red or black week. No brush collection will be made during the 2024 holiday weeks of July 1 and Sept. 2.

9. How do I recycle computers and other electronics?

The City of West Allis has an ecycling program to accept electronics such as computer parts and televisions. This program is ONLY for one to four family residential properties in West Allis. Certain items may have a fee. See the ecycling drop-off program information on our ecycling webpage.

10. Can I include construction and demolition debris in my garbage?

Construction debris generated by a contractor will not be collected or disposed of by the City. Residential construction debris in small quantities, 1 cubic yard or less, when properly prepared, contained, and located, will be taken each week with the regular trash collection from residential properties containing three or less living units. Quantities between 1 and 8 cubic yards may be disposed of with a permit at the Municipal Yard for a fee or by paying a fee for special pickup. The City will not collect or offer permits for the disposal of owner-generated demolition material in excess of 8 cubic yards.

11. What should I do with my grass clippings?

The State of Wisconsin has banned grass clippings from being disposed of with household refuse. The City of West Allis does not collect grass clippings and they are not accepted at the City’s drop-off sites. Grass clippings should be left on the lawn after mowing or added to a compost pile. Grass cannot be raked or allowed to blow into the street where it can clog the storm sewers and contaminate run-off water.

12. Do you pick up furniture and other household debris?

One large bulky furniture item weighing less than 150 pounds will be taken on the regular garbage collection day from residential properties when located at the point of collection (i.e. alley edge or curbside, wherever garbage is regularly collected). Amounts up to 1 cubic yard of household debris will also be taken with the regular garbage collection when placed in a container and located at the alley edge or curbside. Quantities of household debris in excess of 1 cubic yard will require arrangements for a special pickup and additional fees. Large, heavy pieces of furniture requiring additional staff and mechanical collection will be subject to a minimum charge of $50.00 to offset staff and equipment charges. The City does not provide bulk household debris collections from commercial properties, multifamily properties containing four or more living units, or mixed-use buildings.

13. What should I do with household hazardous waste?

Many common household items require special disposal. These products may be hazardous if used, stored, or disposed of improperly, causing fire, injuries and/or groundwater contamination. These items include used motor oil, gasoline, transmission fluid, antifreeze, oil-based paint, stain and paint remover, solvent-based cleaners, oven cleaner, pool and photo chemicals, pesticides, mothballs, batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs. Some of these items may be accepted at the City drop-off sites, others must be taken to a hazardous waste disposal location. Please see the comprehensive list of collection guidelines for more detailed information. For additional questions about hazardous waste disposal, call MMSD at (414) 225-2066 or visit the MMSD web site.

14. How should I dispose of light bulbs?

Compact fluorescent (spiral) bulbs should not be disposed of in your trash and are not accepted by the City of West Allis. Contact Elliott Ace, Menards or Home Depot or take to a Household Hazardous Collection site. View MMSD website for locations here. Fluorescent (tube) bulbs may be placed in your trash (wrap in newspaper), for residential pickup only, no business/commercial pickups.

15. How do I dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs?

The West Allis Police Department has a 24/7 drop-off site at 11301 W Lincoln Avenue. This drop-off site is funded by the West Allis-West Milwaukee Community Coalition. Items that are ACCEPTED include: prescription and over the counter medications, vitamins, medication samples, pet medications, inhalers and liquid medication in a leak proof container. Items that are NOT ACCEPTED include: illegal drugs, thermometers, bloody and infectious waste, hydrogen peroxide, aerosol cans, household waste, creams, ointments and personal care products. The process is simple. Just bring in accepted items and place them in the drop box located in the lobby. The items do not have to be removed from their bottle or packaging. Needles and syringes are not accepted at the WAPD drop-off site. See the FAQ on Sharps for how to dispose of needles and syringes. [West Allis City Channel video >>]

16. How should I dispose of sharps/needles?

"Sharps" include medical needles, syringes, lancets (finger stick devices) and other sharp medical instruments. State Law and Municipal Ordinance make it illegal to throw your used needles, syringes, and lancets out with refuse or recyclables. Unsafe disposal can result in serious diseases through accidental needle sticks. See our sharps disposal webpage for more information about how to dispose of your sharps.

17. What can I recycle in West Allis?

The following should be placed in your recycling cart: aluminum and steel (clean, empty and rinsed) - aerosol cans, cans, clean foil and foil trays; glass (clean, empty and rinsed) - bottles, jugs and jars; plastic (clean, empty and rinsed) - bottles and containers #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7; paper - junk mail, bags, magazines, newspaper, office paper, and phone books; cardboard - cereal boxes, food boxes, shipping/moving boxes and paper rolls. These items are not accepted for recycling: batteries, broken glass, bubble wrap, ceramics, dishes, electronics, garbage, hazardous waste, light bulbs, mirrors, motor oil, paint cans, plastic bags, Styrofoam, syringes/medical waste or yard waste.

18. Does the City offer free mulch?

Mulch, which is ground up tree branches, is available on a self-serve basis at the City’s Morgan Avenue drop-off site (on S 116 Street, south of W Morgan Avenue). Bring your own shovel and container.

19. Where and when can I drop off recycling?

Recycling can be dropped off at the Municipal Yard Drop-Off Site, 6300 W McGeoch Avenue. [More information and hours >>]

20. How should I dispose of plastic bags and plastic film packaging?

Plastic bags and plastic film packaging may be placed in your trash but the preferred method of disposal is to recycle these items. Visit Plastic Film Recycling for more information about how to dispose of items such as produce bags, dry cleaning bags, and the wrap around paper towels, toilet paper and diapers.

21. How do I get rid of old mattresses?

There is no charge for mattresses up to full size and for box springs.  These items can be placed for pick-up with your regular trash.  Mattresses queen size and larger will be subject to a fee.

22. How do I dispose of Halloween pumpkins and jack o lanterns?

First, remove all candles or decorations from pumpkins and jack o lanterns before disposal. You may bag pumpkins or jack o lanterns and dispose of in your City garbage cart or place them with yard waste piles for collection during the fall yard waste collection period.   In order to curb rodent activity, the preferred method of disposal would in your City garbage cart.

23. How do I get rid of my Christmas tree after the holidays?

After removing all decorations, live Christmas trees may be placed where trash is collected (in the alley if you have alley collection, or at the curb if you do not have an alley). Please do not place trees in the street.