Refuse and recycling carts at the curb
Streets & Urban Forestry

Resource Recovery Special Charge

If your recycling is collected by the Streets Division, then you pay the Resource Recovery Special Charge on your Municipal Services (water) bill. 

If you don't have your recycling collected by the Streets Division, then you do not pay the Resource Recovery Special Charge. 

Residential properties 8 units and less are automatically enrolled into receiving recycling collection from the City of Madison. 

Residential properties larger than 8 units cannot use City of Madison collection services.  Recycling is required in Madison. You cannot opt out.  Properties with more than 8 units must use a private company to provide recycling collection. 

Commercial properties must apply in order to receive recycling collection from the Streets Division. Not all commercial properties are eligible to receive recycling collection from the Streets Division. 

Current Rate

In 2024, the Resource Recovery Special Charge is $3.95.

In 2025, the Resource Recovery Special Charge will be $3.56.

Residential Users

This is a flat rate charged per dwelling unit.

For example, if your property has two units, like it is a duplex or perhaps you have added an ADU, then the RRSC for the property is the monthly rate times two.  

In this example, in 2024 a two-unit property would be charged $7.90 each month. (2 x $3.95 = $7.90) 

Commercial Users

The rate is charged per the number of collection carts you need to hold to the recycling your business generates.

For example, if your business needs four (4) recycling carts to hold all of the cardboard and other recyclables then you will be charged the current rate times four each month.  

In this example, the monthly charge in 2024 would be $15.80 per month.  (4 x $3.95 = $15.80) 

 

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Trash & Recycling