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1. Garbage is not collected on holidays now, so how does this program change collection? Also, is there a way to get updates so our garbage isn’t sitting at the end of the driveway?

The current practice is that garbage isn't collected on holidays, but crews work ahead or behind to catch up during the days around the holiday. This pilot program consolidates your collection into your next scheduled pickup date. You can keep your garbage put away until that collection date. You can sign up for notifications at www.westalliswi.gov/notifyme. 

2. When should I put my garbage out?

Garbage and/or recycling should be put out by 7 a.m. even if you are used to seeing crews at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. for example. If not out at 7 a.m. crews will document and continue on route and will not return until your next collection. So, if your collection on MLK day (no collection) garbage must be out by 7 a.m. Monday the 24th of Jan. For recycling their collection is the following Monday, Jan. 31 and recycling must be out by 7 a.m. If you need further explanation you can contact Public Works.

3. Will Public Works take any garbage not in the container? 

Public Works crews may take up to 1 cubic yard of garbage that is bagged outside of the cart. 

4. Why is the City doing this?

We wish to reduce chances for injury, reduce unsafe conditions prompted by excessive hours, save money from these exponential financial costs, and continue to provide efficient services with the new pilot program. Currently, holiday days and weather-impacted days are currently costing the City a minimum of $40,000 in overtime per year. The budgetary strain on the City can grow to even more than $40,000 annually.

5. What can I do if I want to dispose of my garbage before the next pickup date?

You may always visit the  City  dump, or Municipal Yard, to drop off your garbage and recycling during normal hours. If the City institutes this pilot program as normal practice, households are allowed 2 garbage carts and 2 recycling carts. You may consider purchasing an additional cart to help out with containing any garbage or recycling. For more on hours, visit here, www.westalliswi.gov/dump.  

Address is:

6300 W. McGeoch Ave.
West Allis, WI 53219

6. How do I know that there is a weather-impacted day that would skip my garbage/recycle pickup?

The City will communicate via the City website and social media channels.  You can also sign up on the City’s webpage for notifications from the City, via NotifyMe at www.westalliswi.gov/notifyme. 

7. What about recycling? Is it going to be picked up the next week or at the next normally scheduled recycling date?

Recycling would be collected at the next scheduled recycling date.

8. What happens if we have a Monday snow, followed by a Monday holiday, another Monday snow, on the third Monday?

It has occurred in the past where certain portions of the route had to be canceled due large amounts of snow. Public Works then serviced those residential routes after the streets and alleys were cleared of snow for staff to service contingent on staffing.

9. How is this program safer? If there is more garbage to collect, won’t they put a strain on employees?

In determining the amount of garbage that needs to be collected, the Director of Public Works considers resourcing and staffing levels, and a third crew member may be added to a truck to assist with larger loads.

10. Why doesn’t the City hire more drivers?

The City has an open and ongoing recruitment for Sanitation and Streets crewmembers. West Allis residents earn an additional 3.5% on top of hourly pay range. Learn more at www.westalliswi.gov/careers. 

11. Why is the City cutting services when my taxes are already so high (or continue to go up)?

Please remember this is a pilot program only for January. This is a short-term experiment to help the City understand if doing this on a full-time basis is worthwhile.