- Home
- Departments
- Public Works
- Services
Public Works Services
City of Middleton Seasonal Services
The City of Middleton provides a wide range of essential services to keep our community safe, clean, and running smoothly. From garbage and recycling collection to street maintenance, snow removal, and yard waste disposal, our Public Works team is dedicated to maintaining Middleton’s infrastructure. We also offer stormwater management, water utility services, and public transit options to support residents’ daily needs. Whether you're looking for information on brush collection, parking regulations, or utility services, our resources make it easy to stay informed and connected. Explore our services to see how we’re working to enhance the quality of life in Middleton.
Brush Collection
📅 Monthly Pickup: April – October
🕖 Set out by 7 a.m. Monday of your scheduled collection week.
Storm Event Exception: Special collections may be collected after City-declared storm events.
Brush Collection Guidelines:
✅ Size Limit: Branches must be under 6” in diameter
✅ Placement: Stack brush parallel to the curb, with cut ends facing right (when looking at the street)
✅ Keep Clear: Avoid placing near trees, poles, hydrants, mailboxes, or parked cars
✅ One Truckload Max: Limit ~7 cubic yards per property per month
🚫 Not Accepted:
- No leaves, grass, or mixed yard waste—only hard limbs from trees/shrubs
- No contractor-trimmed brush (property owner only)
- No large-scale land clearing
- No collection on private property without a Release of Liability Agreement
| Determine Your Scheduled Collection Week | |
|---|---|
| Quadrant 1: South of University Ave. and West of Park St. | 1st Monday of the month |
| Quadrant 2: South of University Ave. and East of Park St. | 2nd Monday of the month |
| Quadrant 3: North of University Ave. and West of Allen Blvd. | 3rd Monday of the month |
| Quadrant 4: North of University Ave. and East of Allen Blvd. | 4th Monday of the month |
*View our interactive map here
Alternative Disposal Options
Residents can bring brush, branches (up to 6” diameter), wood chips, sawdust, grass clippings, leaves, plants, and Christmas trees to:
📍 MRD Compost Facility – 5211 Highway Q, Waunakee, WI 53597 (free for residents)
🚫 The MRD Does NOT ACCEPT: Painted/treated wood, stumps, logs, sod, plastics, trash, asphalt, concrete, and/or hazardous waste.
🔍 Find more information: See the City’s Brush Collection Policy or call 608-821-8387.
Yard Waste Collection
📅 Yard Waste Collection: April, October, and November (weather permitting)
🕖 Unscheduled Collection: Unlike brush collection, leaf pickup varies based on weather, workload, and equipment
🛑 Collection for the year ends following the first snowfall or by November 30th - at this time, trucks will be converted to winter operations.
Leaf Collection Guidelines:
✅ Placement: Pile leaves in windrows on City terraces, not in streets or gutters
✅ Keep Clear: Avoid trees, poles, hydrants, mailboxes, and parked cars
🚫 Not Accepted:
- No leaves mixed with brush
- No garden waste longer than 12 inches
- No bags, containers, or tarps—loose leaves only.
- No collection on private property without a Release of Liability Agreement
Alternative Disposal Options
Residents can bring brush, branches (up to 6” diameter), wood chips, sawdust, grass clippings, leaves, plants, and Christmas trees to:
📍 MRD Compost Facility – 5211 Highway Q, Waunakee, WI 53597 (free for residents)
🚫 The MRD Does NOT ACCEPT: Painted/treated wood, stumps, logs, sod, plastics, trash, asphalt, concrete, and/or hazardous waste.
🚫 No bags, containers, or tarps—loose natural materials only.
Sustainable Yard Care
Instead of bagging and hauling yard waste, try mulching or composting to naturally enrich your lawn and garden. Grass clippings and leaves can retain soil moisture, improve soil health, reduce weeds, prevent erosion, and save time and effort.
Lawn Care Tips for Healthy Turf:
✅ Mow High: Keep your mower blade set to 3” to 3 ½" for deep roots and weed suppression. At the end of the season, lower to 2" to prepare for winter.
✅ Mow Frequently: Cut no more than ⅓ of the grass blade at a time to avoid stress.
✅ Keep Blades Sharp: A dull mower blade tears the grass, causing water loss and disease risk. If grass tips look ragged, it’s time to sharpen.
✅ Mow When Dry & Leave Clippings: Dry grass cuts cleaner, and clippings left in place provide up to 50% of the nitrogen your lawn needs.
By rethinking yard waste, you can save time, reduce costs, and contribute to a healthier environment.
🔍 Find more information: See the City’s Leaf & Garden Waste Collection Policy or call 608-821-8387.
MRD Compost Facility (Operated by Purple Cow Organics)
📍 Location: 5211 Highway Q, Waunakee, WI 53597
📅 Open: (March)* April - November
🕖 Official Hours: Monday - Sunday, 7 AM - 5 PM
*open as weather allows in March. Officially opens in April. (Verify hours on the PCO Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PurpleCowOrganicsLLC)
Site Rules & Guidelines
✔ Free for Middleton, Waunakee, and Shorewood Hills residents
🚧Not for Commercial Contractor Use – Report violators to the local authority or to Purple Cow Organics at (608) 831-0349.
Accepted:
✅ Brush & branches (up to 6” diameter)
✅ Grass clippings, leaves, plants, Christmas trees (unbagged, loose, no non-natural materials)
✅ Wood chips & sawdust
Not Accepted:
🚫 Stumps, logs, and sod
🚫 Painted, treated, or burned wood
🚫 Plastics, trash, asphalt, concrete, and hazardous waste
🚫 Plastic bags, paper bags, tarps, non-natural materials, non-organic yard waste materials
Additional Information
❗Disposing of Invasive Plants:
Some invasive plants should not be composted.
Instead:
- Bag them in plastic, label as “Invasive Species.”
- Place in your brown refuse cart for landfill disposal.
- Check the Wisconsin DNR website for a full list of invasive species.
🛒 Buying Compost:
Purple Cow Organics compost is not sold at the MRD site but is available at local garden centers, Ace Hardware, and True Value stores.
🌱 Helping Our Community
This facility helps reduce landfill waste and supports sustainability. Thank you for following the guidelines!
📞 Questions? Call the MRD Compost Facility at (608) 831-0349.
Snow Removal in Middleton
Keeping Middleton's streets safe during winter is a big job. Our crews monitor weather and road conditions around the clock. Plowing and salting plans are based on:
- Road and driving conditions
- Snowfall timing, rate, and amount
- Wind, temperature, and upcoming storms
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to plow the city?
After an average snowfall, it takes about 6–10 hours to plow all City streets. Crews will start with major roads first, then progress into neighborhoods.
Why do the plow trucks seem to be driving fast?
Plows travel at a rate of 8–15 mph to keep momentum in order to push heavy snow. The noise from blades can make it seem faster than it is.
Why does snow get pushed into my driveway?
Plows DO NOT intentionally push snow into driveways. Snow naturally rolls off the blade into open spaces — often a cleared driveway or sidewalk apron. The City does not have the staff or resources available to clear aprons.
Can I shovel or blow snow into the street?
No. It is against City ordinance to push or place snow into the street for any reason (Ordinance 8.07: Snow & Ice Removal).
What if my mailbox is damaged during plowing?
Mailbox damage may be caused by age, installation, or heavy snow pressure. If you believe a plow directly hit your mailbox, call 608-821-8387 to report the damage immediately. The city will assist you with the claim process.
Where should I put my garbage and recycling carts?
Carts should be placed in your driveway, behind the curb, and not on snowbanks or in streets. You may need to clear additional space for your carts, just like you would for mail delivery or fire hydrants.
When do I need to clear my sidewalk?
Sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours after snow has stopped (see Ordinance 8.07: Snow & Ice Removal).
How Snow Removal Works
- 8-person street crew + 1 mechanic handle routine snow removal
- Salting usually takes 2–3 hours
- Plowing all streets generally takes 6–10 hours depending on snowfall
How Residents Can Help
- Park off-street when possible
- Clear snow around fire hydrants for emergency access
- Follow alternate side parking rules
- Keep garbage/recycling carts off the street
- Do not push snow into the street (Ordinance 8.07)
Contacts
📞 Public Works (Mon–Fri, 8 AM–4 PM): 608-821-8370
📞 After-hours & weekends: Middleton Police Dispatch – 608-824-7300
Holiday Tree & Greenery Collection
📅 Collection: January
❗Weather & emergency work may impact collection time
Holiday Tree & Greenery Collection Guidelines
✅ Remove decorations, lights, tinsel, garland, plastic bags, and tree stands.
🔎 Look for Elongate Hemlock Scale (EHS) - hard, brown, waxy spots under needles.
If found:
- Bag greenery in plastic and label "invasive species."
- Dispose of in your brown trash cart.
- For more info: visit DATCP.wi.gov
✅ Place curbside with the stump end facing to the right (when looking at the street).
✅ Ensure trees are not snow-covered or frozen to the ground.
✅ Avoid placing near trees, poles, hydrants, mailboxes, or parked cars.
🚫 Wreaths contain wire and cannot be chipped.
Wreath Disposal Options:
- Place in your brown trash cart
- Disassemble - recycle the wire and save the twigs for spring yard waste collection.
Recycle Holiday Lights – Free Drop-Off
📍 Locations:
- Ace Hardware – 2540 Allen Blvd.
- Wolff Kubly Ace Hardware – 6305 University Ave.
- Goodwill – 6820 Century Ave.
- Middleton Recycling Center – Saturday's from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM at 4330 Parmenter St.
Why These Guidelines Matter
✔ Protect Wisconsin’s forests from invasive species
✔ Support sustainable holiday waste disposal
✔ Keep Middleton clean & green year-round
📞 Questions? Contact Middleton Public Works at (608) 821-8374.