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Trash & Recycling
Sustainable Waste Management in Middleton
The City of Middleton is committed to responsible waste management through recycling, refuse collection, and plastic bag recycling initiatives. Our goal is to reduce landfill waste, promote sustainable practices, and keep our community clean. Residents have access to curbside recycling and refuse services, as well as special programs like the Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge, which helps repurpose plastic waste into new materials. Whether you're disposing of everyday household waste, recycling common items, or looking for ways to reduce plastic use, Middleton offers convenient solutions to support a greener future. Explore our resources to learn how you can contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable city.
Pellitteri Waste Systems
Pellitteri Waste Systems has been the City of Middleton’s trash and recycling provider since January 2010.
🔍 Determine your collection day by viewing Pellitteri’s collection map
Important Notes
📅 Collected weekly
🕗 Place carts out by 6:00 am
✔ Carts can be left out for up to 12 hours before and after collection
🗑 Trash – BROWN cart
♻️ Recycling – BLUE cart (CLEAR or see-through plastic bags allowed)
Cart Placement
✔ Forward-facing at the end of your driveway
✔ Within 2 feet of the street
✔ Place on level ground
✔ Maintain 4 feet of space between carts Place on level ground
✔ Keep lids closed to reduce litter
🚫 Do not place carts IN the street
🚫 Avoid nearby obstructions: mailboxes, utility poles, trees, and cars
Additional Information
📱Download Pellitteri’s mobile app for collection schedules, weekly reminders, weather updates, and proper item disposal.
♻️ Use the Recycle Right Search Tool to determine disposal options.
Questions?
🌐 Pellitteri Waste System’s website: https://www.pellitteri.com/pages/city-of-middleton
📧 Email Pellitteri at: info@pellitteri.com
📞 Contact Pellitteri via phone: (608) 257-4285
Middleton Recycling Center (MRC)
📍 Location: 4330 Parmenter St. (Next to the Municipal Operations Center)
📞 Phone: (608) 821-8390 (answered during open hours)
Hours of Operation
Saturdays (year-round): 8 AM – 12 PM (closed major holiday weekends)
Wednesdays (May – Sept): 5 PM – 7 PM
Holiday Closures
12/27/25 (Christmas Holiday Weekend)
05/23/26 (Memorial Day Weekend)
07/04/26 (Independence Day Saturday)
09/05/26 (Labor Day Weekend)
11/28/26 (Thanksgiving Weekend)
12/26/26 (Christmas Holiday Weekend)
Important Notes
✔ Middleton residents only (ID may be required)
✔ Self-service: Staff cannot assist with unloading items
✔ Some fees apply: Pay by cash, check, or credit/debit card (carries a 3.5% processing fee)
🚫 No walk-ins allowed
Reuse Instead of Recycling!
📢 Have a quality item? Consider donating to local charities, Habitat for Humanity, or listing it on:
🔗 www.FreeCycle.org | MadisonStuffExchange.com
Questions?
📞 Middleton Recycling Center (MRC): (608) 821-8390 (during open hours)
📧 Kelly Hilyard, Sustainability Coordinator: (608) 821-8362
Recycled Items and Fees
🔎 For an expanded list of accepted and non-accepted items, as well as any associated fees: View the City’s MRC Recycling Guide.
How It Works✔ Step 1: Take your plastic waste to the Middleton Recycling Center. Guidelines✔ Containers that previously held liquids MUST be rinsed and emptied. Questions?🌐 Pellitteri Waste Systems’ website 📧 Email Pellitteri: info@pellitteri.com 📞 Call Pellitteri: (608) 257-4285 | Accepted ItemsThe following clean, dry items are accepted in this program:
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A to Z Trash & Recycling Guide
State & Dane County Resources:
Acid
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Aerosol Cans
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Aluminum
Items include but are not limited to, foil, cans, pie pans, etc.
- Place in your blue recycling cart; item must be clean of any food or liquids.
Aggregate
Items include but are not limited to, bricks, concrete, concrete blocks, clay, dirt, rocks, stones, porcelain, etc.
- Take to Dane County Construction & Demolition (C&D) Recycling Facility; make sure to call ahead (fees may vary).
Ammunition
- Contact your local law enforcement office for safe disposal.
Animal Waste (Pet Waste)
- Seal in a plastic bag and place in your brown trash cart.
Antifreeze
**Please note: Disposal at the Middleton Recycling Center is prohibited.
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
- Check with local automotive service centers; call ahead to ensure availability.
NEVER dump antifreeze down a storm sewer or home drain.
Appliances, Large
Items include but are not limited to, washers, dryers, refrigerators, etc.
If working/good condition:
- Take it to a local donation center and be sure to call ahead to confirm their hours and policies.
- Post in an online community for buy/sell/free trade.
If not in working/good condition:
- Contact Pellitteri Waste Systems to arrange a special pick-up (fees apply).
- Take to the Dane County Landfill (fees vary).
See "Scrap Metal"
Appliances, Small
Items include but are not limited to, coffee makers, toasters, etc.
In working/good condition:
- Take to a local resale store or donation center; make sure to call ahead.
- Post in an online community for buy/sell/free trade.
If not in working condition (mostly metal and smaller than a basketball):
- Place in your blue recycling cart.
If in broken condition (mostly plastic):
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center.
See "Electronics" for all electronic items, including some small kitchen appliances.
Auto Parts
See "Scrap Metal"
Ballasts
See "Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures"
Batteries
Non-rechargeable (alkaline):
- Take to a local hardware store or battery retailer (fees may apply).
Rechargeable (Ni-Cd, NiMH, Li-ion):
- Take to a local hardware store or battery retailer (fees may apply).
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center (fees vary by weight).
Car/Lead-acid:
- Take to a local hardware store or battery retailer (fees may apply).
- Take to an auto parts retailer (fees may apply)
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center (fees apply).
Books
Good condition:
- Take to a local resale store.
- Donate to a local library.
- Take to a local donation center.
- Post in an online community for buy/sell/free trade.
Damaged:
- Remove and discard hard covers in your brown trash cart and discard the pages in your blue recycling cart.
Bricks
See "Aggregate"
Brita® Water Filters
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center.
Brush / Branches
- City's Curbside Brush Collection (seasonal).
- Take to the MRD Compost Facility (operated by Purple Cow Organics).
- Compost at home (strongly encouraged).
Refer to our current brush and yard waste policies on the City's Website.
See "Leaves" or "Yard Waste"
Bubble Wrap
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center.
Cardboard
- Break down, flatten, and place in your blue recycling cart.
- Take large, corrugated cardboard to the Middleton Recycling Center.
Carpeting / Carpet Pads
- Some local carpet retailers offer carpet-reclamation programs; make sure to call ahead (fees may apply).
- Smaller quantities can be placed in your brown trash cart, provided the cart lid is closed.
- Contact Pellitteri Waste Systems to arrange a special collection (fees apply)
CDs / DVDs
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center (fees apply).
- Post in an online community for buy/sell/free trade.
Cell Phones
- Many local cell phone retailers offer drop-offs (often at no cost).
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center.
- Take to Middleton City Hall.
See "Phones"
Clothing
- Donate or sell items to a local resale store or donation center, if wearable.
- Post in an online community for buy/sell/free trade.
Computers
See "Electronics"
Construction & Demolition Debris
- Contact Pellitteri Waste Systems to arrange a special collection (fees apply).
See "Aggregate"
Cooking Oil / Grease
Items include but are not limited to, liquid vegetable oil, animal fat, solid vegetable-based oils, grease, lard, etc.
**Please note: Disposal at the Middleton Recycling Center is prohibited.
- Solidify the cooking oil/grease by cooling in an empty, resealable container (i.e. milk jug) and place in your brown trash cart.
NEVER dump cooking oil down a storm sewer or home drain.
Cosmetics
- See "Household Hazardous Waste"
Dead Animals
Deer Carcass: Contact the Dane County Sheriff's Department at 608-255-2345.
Smaller animals:
- Can be properly bagged and placed in your brown trash cart.
- Contact Middleton Public Works Department at 608-821-8387. City staff will NOT pick-up dead animals located on private property.
Dirt
See "Aggregate"
Drugs
See "Medications"
Drywall
- Take to Dane County Construction & Demolition (C&D) Recycling Facility; call ahead (fees may vary).
Electric / Battery Powered Equipment
Items consist of but are not limited to lawn mowers, snowblowers, weed trimmers, etc.
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center (fees may apply).
Electronics
Items consist of but are not limited to computer hardware, monitors, mice, cables, printers, DVDs, CDs, tapes, electronic media, VCRs, DVD players, scanners, stereos, electric typewriters, telephones, televisions, non-mercury thermostats, smoke alarms, etc.
- Take to a local donation center or retail store and be sure to call ahead (fees may apply).
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep (fees may apply).
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center (fees vary).
- Post in an online community for buy/sell/free trade.
- Check E-Cycle Wisconsin for a list of local electronic collection sites in your area.
As of October 2009, Wisconsin law bans the landfilling or incineration of computers, televisions, and printers in Wisconsin (2009 Wisconsin Act 50).
Explosives / Flares
- Contact your local law enforcement office for safe disposal.
Eyeglasses
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center.
- Take to a local optical shop.
Fertilizers
**Please note: Disposal at the Middleton Recycling Center is prohibited.
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Fill Material
See "Aggregate"
Fire Extinguishers
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
- Local fire and safety organizations may provide recharging of tanks for reuse.
Fireworks
- Contact your local law enforcement office for safe disposal.
Flags (U.S. flags)
- Take flags for proper disposal to your local VFW Post.
Flares
See "Explosives" or "Fireworks"
Fluorescent Light Fixtures
Remove ballast from the inside of the light fixture and check for PCBs.
Ballast with No PCBs
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Ballast with PCBs (not labeled "no PCBs")
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Light fixtures with ballast removed can be disposed of as scrap metal at the Middleton Recycling Center.
Food
- Unopened, non-perishable items: Donate to your local food pantry.
- Opened or perishable items: Compost fruits and vegetables and dispose of meats, fats, and/or bones into your brown trash cart.
Fuels & Other Flammables
Consists of, but is not limited to, gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, and other solvent-based driveway sealers.
**Please note: Disposal at the Middleton Recycling Center is prohibited.
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep (fees may vary).
Furniture
Items include but are not limited to, sofas/loveseats, tables, desks, bookcases, etc.
Usable furniture:
- Post in an online community for buy/sell/free trade.
- Take to a local resale or donation center; make sure to call ahead.
Damaged or unusable furniture:
- Take to the Dane County Landfill.
- Contact Pellitteri Waste Systems to arrange a special collection (fees apply).
Garden Hose
- Place it in your brown trash cart.
Glass Containers
- Unbroken glass can be placed in your blue recycling cart.
- Broken glass should be carefully placed in your brown trash cart.
Glass Windows / Doors
- Take usable windows and doors to a local resale store.
- Contact Pellitteri Waste Systems to arrange a special collection (fees apply)
- Broken glass should be carefully placed in your brown trash cart.
Gas-Powered Equipment
Items include but are not limited to, lawn mowers, snow blowers, tillers, etc.
- Post in an online community for buy/sell/free trade.
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center; must be drained of all gas and oil and disconnect the spark plug wire (fees may apply).
- Take to the Dane County Landfill (fees may apply).
- Contact Pellitteri Waste Systems to arrange a special collection (fees apply).
- If the item is mostly metal, drain the gas and oil, disassemble, and take it to a local metal recycler.
See “Scrap Metal” or "Electric / Battery Powered Equipment"
Grease
See "Cooking Oil/Grease"
Grills - Propane & Charcoal
**Please note: The Middleton Recycling Center does NOT accept propane tanks.
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center
- Take to the Dane County Landfill
Hearing Aids
- Consider reaching out to your health-care provider; many local hearing centers will donate or recycle.
Helium Tank
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center; tanks must be emptied, labeled as empty with the safety tab punctured and circled.
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Holiday Lights
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center or to your local hardware store; make sure to call ahead.
Holiday Trees / Greenery
- The City of Middleton will collect and chip Christmas trees during January. All decorations, tinsel, and tree stands must be removed before placing them curbside. Any trees containing Elongate Hemlock Scale (EHS), put in plastic bags or buried in snowbanks, will not be collected.
- Take trees to the MRD Compost Center.
- Garlands and wreaths should be placed in your brown trash cart. The wire holding the boughs together cannot be chipped or mulched.
Refer to our current brush policies on the City's Website.
Household Hazardous Waste
Items include but are not limited to, non-empty paint, pesticides, poison, herbicides, insecticides, pool chemicals, polishes, caulk, aerosol cans, etc.
**Please note: Disposal at the Middleton Recycling Center is prohibited.
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Ink / Toner Cartridges
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center.
- Take to local office-supply stores; make sure to call ahead.
Insulation
- Can be placed in your brown trash cart (lid must close).
Lawn Mowers
See "Grills and Gas-Powered Equipment"
Leaves
- City's Curbside Leaves & Yard Waste Collection (seasonal).
- Take to the MRD Compost Facility (operated by Purple Cow Organics).
- Compost at home (strongly encouraged).
Refer to our current brush and yard waste policies on the City's Website.
See "Brush" or "Yard Waste"
License Plates
- Per the Wisconsin DMV, license plates that will not be used on another vehicle must be destroyed (cut-up) and placed into your brown trash cart.
Light Bulbs
- Fluorescent bulbs: Can contain toxic heavy metals (mercury) and should be recycled rather than disposed of in landfills. Take items to your local hardware or lighting stores; call ahead to verify (fees may apply).
- Incandescent bulbs: Place in your brown trash cart or take to your local hardware or lighting stores; call ahead to verify (fees may apply).
- LED bulbs: Place in your brown trash cart or take to your local hardware or lighting stores; call ahead to verify (fees may apply).
See "Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures"
Mattresses / Box Springs
- Contact Pellitteri Waste Systems to arrange a special collection (fees apply).
- Post in an online community for buy/sell/free trade.
- Take to the Dane County Landfill.
Medical Equipment (DME)
Items include but are not limited to, wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, etc.
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center.
- Take to a local donation center.
- Post in an online community for buy/sell/free trade.
Medications (Prescription / OTC)
Items include but are not limited to; prescription and over-the-counter medicines (pills, liquids, and creams), medications for pets, vitamins, nebulizer solutions, medication samples, inhalers, illegal drugs, etc.
- Empty pills into sealed plastic bags and take to the Med Drop Box located in the lobby at the Middleton Police Department. Place the empty pill bottles in your blue recycling cart.
- Liquids or creams may remain in their original container but placed into a sealed plastic bag to avoid spillage and taken to the Med Drop Box located in the lobby at the Middleton Police Department.
- You may also remove the medication from its original packaging and mix with undesirable substances (i.e. coffee grounds, kitty litter, etc.) and place in a sealed container. The sealed container can then be placed in your brown trash cart.
- Take to a local pharmacy, make sure to call ahead.
Do NOT flush medications down the toilet.
Mercury
Items include but are not limited to, liquid mercury, and non-alcohol thermometers, thermostats with silver liquid, etc.
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Motor Oil & Filters
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center. (Please note: The oil drop-off site is for City of Middleton Residents ONLY - no businesses. Oil must be contained in their original 1-or-5-quart sized containers with caps. No other container types or substances are allowed).
- Take to a local automotive service center; make sure to call ahead first.
NEVER dump motor oil down a storm sewer or home drain.
Needles
See "Sharps"
Oil
See "Cooking Oil / Grease" or "Motor Oil & Filters"
Oxygen Tank
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Packing Peanuts
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center.
Paint (Latex, Oil-Based)
**Please note: Disposal at the Middleton Recycling Center is prohibited.
Latex paint:
- Dry any remaining paint thoroughly with latex paint dryer, clay-based kitty litter, Oil-Dry or newspapers and then place in your brown trash cart.
- Take full cans to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Oil-based or Solvent-based paint:
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Never dump paint in a storm sewer or home drain.
Pallets
- Take to the Dane County Construction & Demolition (C&D) recycling facility; make sure to call ahead (fees vary).
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center.
- Contact Pellitteri Waste Systems to arrange a special collection (fees apply)
Paper
- Place in your blue recycling cart.
- Contact Pellitteri Waste Systems for information on local paper shredding events or to arrange a special collection (fees apply).
Pesticides & Poisons
Items include but are not limited to cyanide, stump remover, pool chemicals, herbicides, insecticides, pet pesticides, rodenticides, weed feed or pest control fertilizers, etc.
Please note: Disposal at the Middleton Recycling Center is prohibited.
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Phones
See "Cell Phones"
Photographic Chemicals
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Plastics (hard)
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center; must be 100% plastic, no metals, cloth or other materials (fuel containers not allowed).
- Contact Pellitteri Waste Systems to arrange a special collection (fees apply).
Plastic Bags / WrapDone Editing
- Take to local participating grocery stores that have a collection bin.
- Take to your local food pantry.
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center.
Do NOT place plastic bags or wrap in your blue recycling bin.
Prescription Medications
See "Medication"
Printer Cartridges
Items include but are not limited to ink, laser, and toner cartridges, etc.
- Take to local office-supply stores; make sure to call ahead (fees may apply).
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center.
Propane Cylinders/Tanks
- 1 lb. cylinders: Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
- 20 lb. cylinders: May be taken to local retailers that fill or exchange cylinders; please call ahead (fees may apply).
Rocks
See "Aggregate"
Rubber Bands
- Place in your brown trash cart, or reuse if possible.
Scrap Metal
Items include but are not limited to; pipes, plumbing fixtures, aluminum lawn chairs, metal window frames, tools, radiators, farm equipment, cast iron, gutters, metal coat/clothing hangers, metal pots and pans, etc.
Smaller metal items, no larger than a basketball:
- Place in your blue recycling cart.
Larger metal items:
- Take to the Dane County Construction & Demolition (C&D) recycling facility; make sure to call ahead (fees vary).
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center (must be at least 80% metal).
- Contact Pellitteri Waste Systems to schedule a special collection (fees apply).
Does NOT include paint cans, appliances, fuel or oil tanks
Sharps
Items include but are not limited to syringes, scalpels, lancets, other sharp household medical waste, etc.
- Place sharps in an approved medical waste box (i.e. sharps container) or hard plastic bottle with a cap and take to your local pharmacy or clinic; make sure to call ahead.
NEVER place loose sharps in your trash or recycling carts.
Shingles
- Take to the Dane County Landfill.
Shoes
- Take to local resale stores or donation centers.
- Post in an online community for buy/sell/free trade.
Smoke Detectors
Ionized:
- Contact the manufacture for their disposal procedures for old detectors.
- Contain radioactive material and can be taken to the Middleton Recycling Center (fees may apply).
Photoelectric:
- Contact the manufacture for their disposal procedures for old detectors.
- Do not contain radioactive material and can be placed in your brown trash cart.
Snow Blowers
See "Gas-Powered Equipment" or "Electric / Battery Powered Equipment"
Sod
See "Aggregate"
Solvents
Items include but are not limited to; finish removers, furniture strippers, paint thinners, mineral spirits, pastes, polishes, caulks (combustible or flammable), petroleum distillates, acetone, toluene, xylene, etc.
**Please note: Disposal at the Middleton Recycling Center is prohibited.
- Take to Dane County Clean Sweep.
Stone
See "Aggregate"
Styrofoam
Items include but are not limited to; block packing materials and food containers - must be clean, etc.
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center; must be clean, with tape/labels removed.
Swing Set
- Wood structures: Disassemble and see "Construction Debris"
- Metal structures: Disassemble and see "Scrap Metal"
Telephones
See "Phones"
Thermometers / Thermostats
With silver liquid: Take to Dane County Clean Sweep
Without silver liquid: Place in your brown trash cart.
Tires
- Contact Pellitteri Waste Systems to arrange a special collection (fees apply).
- Take to a local automotive service center; make sure to call ahead (fee may apply).
- Tires without rims can be taken to the Dane County Landfill.
Toilet
See "Aggregate"
Tools
Usable:
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center.
- Donate to local donation centers.
- Post in an online community for buy/sell/free trade.
If broken and mostly metal (< 80%):
- Take to Middleton Recycling Center.
- Take to a local metal recycler.
TV's
See "Electronics"
Tyvek® Envelopes
- Small amounts (less than 25): Turn any Tyvek® envelope inside out so the unprinted white surface shows on the outside, stuff with other used Tyvek® envelopes and mail to Tyvek® Recycle.
- Large amounts: Visit the Tyvek® website for updates on their recycling program.
Vacuum Cleaners
See "Appliances, Small"
VHS Tapes
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center (fees vary).
- Take to local resale media stores.
Vinyl Siding
See "Construction / Demolition Debris"
Windows
See "Glass Windows / Doors"
Wood
Untreated or unaltered wood:
- Take to the Middleton Recycling Center.
- Post in an online community for buy/sell/free trade.
Treated or altered wood:
- Post in an online community for buy/sell/free trade
- Take to the Dane County Construction & Demolition (C&D) recycling facility; make sure to call ahead (fees vary).
- Contact Pellitteri Waste Systems to arrange a special collection (fees apply).
Yard Waste (Leaves, Grass, Garden Debris)
- City's Curbside Leaves & Yard Waste Collection (seasonal).
- Take to the MRD Compost Facility (operated by Purple Cow Organics). No plastic or paper bags - only natural yard waste materials accepted
- Compost at home (strongly encouraged).
Refer to our current brush and yard waste policies on the City's Website.
See "Brush" or "Leaves"