Refuse and recycling carts at the curb
Streets & Urban Forestry
  1. Closed for July 4, 2025

    No curbside pickups on Independence Day, Friday, 7/4/25. Drop-off-sites & offices also closed.  

    If you have a Friday pickup day, we will collect scheduled carts on Monday, 7/7/25.

    Drop-off sites reopen 7/5/25 on their posted hours.

Food Scraps

A cartoon character is tossing an apple core over their shoulder into a compost bin. In the background is the word "Scrap"
Image credit: Two Lips Creative

Compost Food Scraps

  • City of Madison food scraps drop off at neighborhood farmers' markets schedule:

    • Madison Eastside Farmers' Market

      • Dates: April 29, 2025 to October 28, 2025
      • Hours: Tuesdays, 4:00pm to 7:00pm
      • Location: McPike Park (202 S. Ingersoll St)

    • Westside Community Market

      • Dates: May 3, 2025 to November 1, 2025
      • Hours: Saturdays, 7:00am - 12:30pm
      • Location: 505 S. Rosa Rd (University Research Park)

    • South Madison Farmers' Market

      • Dates: June 3, 2025 to October 28, 2025
      • Hours: Tuesdays, 2:00pm to 6:00pm
      • Location: Corner of S. Park St. and W. Wingra Drive (1602 S. Park Street)
  • Our goal for food scraps drop off this year is 40,000 pounds - which is the weight of a small herd of bison!
  • Check with your local community garden to see if a community compost option is available.
  • Remember, you can compost your food scraps in your own backyard, too.

  • Dane County Scrap Stops (Open June 1, 2025)

    • Two locations in Madison. Three locations elsewhere in Dane County.
    • More details about registering to use the County sites: check out their website.

 

A cartoon person with a handheld shopping basket is standing in front of the word "Plan"
Image credit: Two Lips Creative

Meal Planning

Meal planning will save you money and save natural resources - the ultimate win-win. Meal planning tips can be found on this page. 

A cartoon person is standing at a charcoal grill. In the background is the word "Use"
Image credit: Two Lips Creative

Use & Storage

Proper food storage techniques and using what you buy will mean you will not waste the food you purchase (or grow).

A cartoon person with a very large caldroun of soup is standing in front of the word "Create"
Image credit: Two Lips Creative

Create & Donate

Create new food opportunities: 

  • Donate what's possible to area pantries
  • And create new dishes with imperfect foods, transform your leftovers, and cook "end-to-stem"
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Food Scraps