Recycling in Madison, WI

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• What Can I Donate? (opens in new tab) · Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin
  • Through the Dell Reconnect partnership, Goodwill recycles electronics free year-round at all its South Central locations except the Outlet, any brand, working or not. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Madison East Towne - Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin (opens in new tab) · Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin
  • The Madison East Towne Goodwill store is at 2127 East Springs Drive, Madison, WI 53704. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Nakoma - Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin (opens in new tab) · Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin
  • The Nakoma Goodwill store is at 4530 Verona Rd., Madison, WI 53711. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Madison Northside - Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin (opens in new tab) · Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin
  • The Madison Northside Goodwill store is at 2901 North Sherman Ave, Madison, WI 53704. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Madison West - Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin (opens in new tab) · Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin
  • The Madison West Goodwill store is at 7475 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53717. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Donate Items - Habitat ReStore of Dane County (opens in new tab) · Habitat for Humanity of Dane County
  • ReStore West is at 6201 Odana Road, Madison, WI 53719. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • ReStore donation drop-off hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • ReStore offers free pick-up of select donations, including appliances and home furnishings, usually within three to five days. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Dane County Landfill (opens in new tab) · Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables
  • The landfill accepts waste only from Dane County residents (and Dane County businesses). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted materials include mattresses and box springs, furniture, stoves, washers, dishwashers and dryers (for metal recycling) and tires for recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Freon-containing appliances and electronics are not accepted for landfill disposal; Clean Sweep handles them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Electronics are banned from the landfill; see Clean Sweep. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Rates and Payment (opens in new tab) · Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables
  • Tires are charged by weight at $0.175 per pound ($350 per ton); one standard tire costs about $4-6 to recycle. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Landfill fees and rates were updated effective January 1, 2026 (see the rate table). Checked October 26, 2026.
• Dane County Clean Sweep (opens in new tab) · Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables
  • For Dane County households: hazardous waste $15 per trip, TVs or computer monitors $15 each, microwaves $10 each, refrigerant items (fridges, freezers, A/C, dehumidifiers) $35 each. Out-of-county households pay $75 per trip for hazardous waste and cannot bring TVs, microwaves or refrigerant items. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Refrigerators and freezers must be emptied of food, rinsed out and have all doors removed. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Clean Sweep accepts paints, stains, inks, dyes and varnish; dried latex paint goes in the regular garbage. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Dried latex paint is not accepted; place it in the regular garbage. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Batteries are accepted except alkaline; lithium-ion over 300 Wh is not taken (e-bike batteries are). Tape lithium and rechargeable terminals. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Separate alkaline from lithium and rechargeable batteries and tape the terminals of lithium and rechargeable batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Electronics accepted include laptops and computers, monitors, TVs and remotes, printers, DVD/VCR players, stereo equipment, game consoles and phones, plus refrigerant appliances. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • As an E-Cycle Wisconsin collector, Clean Sweep accepts electronics only from Dane County residents and K-12 schools; proof of Dane County residency is required. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Appliances other than microwaves and fridges/freezers are not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Large items and appliances (opens in new tab) · City of Madison Streets Division
  • Large items are things too big for the carts, such as couches, mattresses, tables, pianos, tires, microwaves and air conditioners; they can be scheduled for curbside pickup or taken to a drop-off site. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents fill out a large item work order and choose the Sunday to set items out; the work order must be completed before setting items out. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Since January 1, 2025, the Streets Division no longer provides large item collection for multi-family properties with more than 8 units. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Items must be under 8 feet long, kept away from carts and brush piles, and metal items and appliances separated from furniture and lumber. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • If the City collects your recycling from a green cart, you do not pay recycling fees for listed large items at pickup or drop-off. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Large item fees apply both for curbside pickup and at the drop-off sites; those who must pay buy a fee sticker beforehand, as attendants cannot take payments. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Items with Fees (opens in new tab) · City of Madison Streets Division
  • Per-item fees apply only to residents whose recycling is not collected by the Streets Division; others have the cost covered by the Resource Recovery Special Charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • $35 fee items include dryers, freezers (doors removed), refrigerators over 50 pounds (doors removed) and washers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The $35 list includes refrigerators weighing over 50 pounds (remove doors) and washers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • $15 fee items include dorm-style refrigerators under 50 pounds and microwave ovens. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tires: $10 for large truck tires or tires on the rim, $5 for car or small truck/SUV tires off the rim. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Items not on the fee list have no fee for Streets Division collection or drop-off. Checked October 26, 2026.
• More Cardboard Than the Recycling Cart Can Hold (opens in new tab) · City of Madison Streets Division
  • Cardboard boxes will not be picked up as large items. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Empty and flatten cardboard boxes and place them in the drop-off site recycling area; styrofoam goes in its own container. Checked October 26, 2026.
• TVs, computers, and electronics (opens in new tab) · City of Madison Streets Division
  • TVs, computers, printers and other electronics may not go in carts or at the curb; take them to a drop-off site or private recycler. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Electronics recycling at the drop-off sites is only for people who live or own property in Madison; not for businesses. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • There is no fee or additional charge to residents for electronics recycling (including TVs and computers) at the drop-off sites. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted electronics include computers (desktops, laptops, tablets), printers and televisions, monitors and their accessories. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Drop-off sites (opens in new tab) · City of Madison Streets Division
  • Madison residents and taxpayers can use the drop-off sites; proof of residency or taxpayer status is required. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The drop-off sites accept extra cardboard, electronics, batteries, appliances and large items, among others. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Rules & Restrictions to the Drop-off Sites (opens in new tab) · City of Madison Streets Division
  • One trip a day, limited to about a standard pickup truck bed or 5x8 trailer; contractors may not use the sites. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Household Batteries (opens in new tab) · City of Madison Streets Division
  • Madison residents and taxpayers can recycle household batteries at the drop-off sites; there is no fee. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Separate alkaline, lithium, nickel and lead-acid batteries and tape lithium and nickel battery contacts with clear tape. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Lead-acid batteries, including UPS batteries, go with the vehicle batteries at the drop-off sites. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wisconsin DNR: Electronics Recycling (E-cycle) (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • E-Cycle Wisconsin is a manufacturer-funded statewide program that collects and recycles certain electronics used by households and K-12 schools. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DNR offers a finder for electronics collection sites and free mail-back programs. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wisconsin DNR: E-Cycle Wisconsin program information (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Individuals and K-12 schools can use E-Cycle Wisconsin to save on electronics recycling (DNR does not say it is free at collection sites). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Individuals and K-12 schools may recycle electronics through E-Cycle Wisconsin; businesses are not eligible. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Businesses must still recycle, reuse or manage their electronics as hazardous waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The electronics disposal bans apply to devices from everyone: households, schools, businesses, governments and institutions. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Televisions are banned from Wisconsin landfills and incinerators. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Computers (desktop, laptop, netbook, tablet), qualifying game consoles, desktop printers and computer monitors are banned from Wisconsin landfills and incinerators. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Computer accessories (keyboards, mice, speakers, external hard drives, flash drives) and DVD players, VCRs and DVRs are also banned from disposal. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • TV and monitor accessories (remotes, cable/satellite/streaming receivers, cords and A/V cables, security cameras, home theater speakers), fax machines and cellphones are also banned from disposal. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Eligible electronics under E-Cycle Wisconsin include cellphones, computers, desktop printers and computer monitors. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Eligible electronics also include fax machines, tablets and e-readers, televisions, video game consoles and battery-operated hand-held game devices. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wis. Stat. 287.07 Prohibitions on land disposal and incineration (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Legislature (Wisconsin Statutes)
  • Since September 1, 2010, state law has banned listed electronic devices from landfills, solid waste incinerators and from trash containers headed to them. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wisconsin DNR: How to recycle electronics in Wisconsin (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Electronics from Wisconsin households and K-12 schools may be recycled through E-Cycle Wisconsin. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Many electronics manufacturers also offer free mail-back programs, mainly for consumers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Recycling fees vary between collection sites; DNR advises calling ahead to find the total cost. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Before going, ask a collection site or recycler what it takes, whom it accepts from, what it charges, whether it picks up and how it destroys data. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Disconnect devices from online services and erase personal data before recycling; deleting files does not clear them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Working computers and other electronics may be donated to a school, nonprofit or other organization; call first. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wisconsin DNR: What to recycle in Wisconsin (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Electronics do not belong in curbside recycling bins or carts; the equipment is not designed for them. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wisconsin DNR: Proper handling of used batteries (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Lead-acid batteries are banned from Wisconsin landfills and solid waste incinerators. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Lead-acid ("automotive type") batteries are those in cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and other vehicles and devices with internal combustion engines. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Consumers may bring lead-acid batteries for recycling to any Wisconsin retailer that sells them, during normal business hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Return is free when the customer buys a new battery and brings in a used one. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Without buying a new battery, customers may be charged up to $3 per used battery. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Retailers must charge a $10 deposit on automotive replacement batteries and refund it in money when the customer returns a used battery to the same retailer. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The retailer may ask for proof of purchase; the trade-in is not a product return and has no time limit. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Alkaline batteries may go in the trash, though some retailers and recycling locations accept them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Never put batteries or electronics in curbside recycling carts or bins. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • When storing batteries for recycling, tape the ends with clear packing tape or bag each battery separately. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DNR points residents to The Battery Network (1-877-2-RECYCLE): many retailers in this nonprofit program have in-store collection boxes for rechargeable batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents can also contact their local recycling program about battery collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The E-Cycle Wisconsin site list also shows some rechargeable battery collection locations. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wis. Stat. 287.18 Lead acid battery collection (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Legislature (Wisconsin Statutes)
  • For batteries brought in without a trade-in purchase, a retailer need not accept more than 2 per person per day. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The deposit rule covers automotive-type batteries such as car, truck, motorcycle, ATV, UTV, snowmobile, golf cart, tractor, lawn and garden, marine and other engine-starting batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.