Johnson Street Construction Alters Moveout Plans

posted August 11, 2014 – 10:11am

Early Collection Set for Wednesday and Thursday

The August migration means lots of extra trash, recycling, and large items coming out to the curb for collection. The Streets Division expects to haul away up 800 tons of extra material during the two week period when residents change apartments in the downtown/isthmus area. The construction on E. Johnson Street will mean an earlier start to some of the extra collections.

      “We usually start our special move out collections at 4 a.m.,” strategic initiatives coordinator George Dreckmann said. “Because of the construction on E. Johnson, our crews will be reporting for work at 3 a.m. on Thursday and Friday.”

Streets Division collection crews will begin their workday in the E. Johnson Street construction zone on Thursday August 14th and Friday August 15th. The early head start is needed to make sure that material is collected before construction crews report and the morning commute begins.

     “We will be evaluating the situation during the week to see if we need to add additional early starts,” Dreckmann said. “If the workload warrants, we may have to start early on Tuesday or Friday as well.”

Residents are encouraged to use their refuse and recycling carts as much as possible during the move out. It is much easier for crews to roll the carts to the collection trucks, especially in the construction zone.

     “Downtown residents always have lots of refuse and recycling this week,” recycling coordinator George Dreckmann said.   “We want to encourage them to put as much material in their refuse and recycling carts in order to make our collection more efficient. Since we have extra crews working in this area, we will be able to empty the carts so the residents can refill them over and over again during the move out.”

     The refuse and recycling carts will be emptied every day and residents can continue to fill them up every day from August 11th through August 15th.

       In order to make the removal of trash easier for collection crews residents are asked to follow these simple guidelines:
Do NOT put trash in cardboard boxes.
     Boxes must be flattened and placed in the green recycling carts or bundled for recycling.
Keep refuse and recycling separate when placed at the curb. Do not pile trash or large items around the refuse or recycling carts.
Do not place trash in recycling carts.
Put all refuse at the curb in the tan refuse carts, or trash bags.
No loose piles of trash/garbage.
Do not pile trash or recyclables on top of furniture or appliances.

     Keep larger metal items separate from other material so that it can be recycled.
     Most appliances, including microwaves, require a fee. TV’s, computer, and monitors are not collected and should not be placed at the curb.
Sell or Give Away Useable Items on the Madison Stuff Exchange
     Because so many people are moving into new apartments, the demand for used furniture and other household items will be very high. That makes this a great time to list items you no longer use on the Madison Stuff Exchange.
     “Area residents should take advantage of the influx of new residents by listing unwanted household items on the Madison Stuff Exchange,” Dreckmann said. “This free web sites is also a great place for new residents to find items for their apartment.”
     Residents of Madison and Dane County can register to use the site at no charge. Items can be given away or offered for sale. There is a maximum sale price of $99 for any item and businesses may not use the site to sell their products or services. Residents looking for items can also register and post their wanted list on line.

     The address of the Madison Stuff Exchange is www.madisonstuffexchange.com.

     There are also several opportunities for residents to donate unwanted items in the downtown area. A complete list of options can be found at www.cityofmadison.com/streets.