Waukesha, City

Residential Garbage and Recycling

Residential service starting April 1, 2025.

Residential Services

262-473-4700
Contact Us
2025 Schedule – coming soon
Informational Brochure – coming soon

Johns Disposal will provide and deliver new city-owned carts in conjunction with the City of Waukesha to all eligible households. Eligible properties with automated pickup will receive a new set of carts for garbage and recycling to replace the old carts.

The City will issue standard-size carts to eligible households unless the property owner requests an alternative cart size. The standard sizes are 64 gallons for garbage and 96 gallons for recycling. No action is required to receive the standard-size carts. If a property owner wants to request an alternative size to the standards, they may do so by December 30th, 2024. Property owners must fill out the form online to submit this request.

Alternative Cart Size Request Form – City of Waukesha

Residents must select alternate carts by December 30, 2024! Your residence will receive standard-sized carts if you have not selected before then. There is a $75 exchange fee for cart changes made after December 30, 2024!

Waukesha – Extra Cart Order Form

City of Waukesha residents can order extra carts beyond the provided (1) garbage cart and (1) recycling cart for a fee. Please fill out the form and a customer service representative will call you to finalize details and take payment.

Garbage

Garbage collection is every week. Please put the garbage cart out the night before your collection day; or by 6:00am the morning of pickup.

Only household garbage can be put in your garbage cart. Do not place any recyclables, brush/leaves, construction materials, demolition, electronics or hazardous materials in your cart.

Cart Placement:

  • Handles should face toward the house with the lids opening toward the street
  • The garbage cart should be placed within 2 ft. of the road on one side of the driveway
  • The recycle cart should be placed within 2 ft. of the road on the other side of the driveway
  • Please keep 6 ft. of clearance between the carts and other objects, especially mailboxes, poles and vehicles

Recycling

Recycling is collected every other week.

Cart Placement:

  • Handles should face toward the house with the lids opening toward the street
  • The garbage cart should be placed within 2 ft. of the road on one side of the driveway
  • The recycle cart should be placed within 2 ft. of the road on the other side of the driveway
  • Please keep 6 ft. of clearance between the carts and other objects, especially mailboxes, poles and vehicles

For more recycling information, please visit the Waukesha County Recycle page.

Please place the following items in your RECYCLE CART:

Expanded Paper Recycling
  • Computer & office paper
  • Envelopes & junk mail
  • Holiday gift wrapping paper (no foils)
  • Newspapers
  • Paper cups (no plastic lids or straws)
  • Paper egg cartons
  • Paper grocery bags
Plastic Recycling
  • Plastic bottles, containers, cups (#1, #2, #5)
Recyclable Metal & Glass
  • Aerosol cans (empty)
  • Aluminum cans & aluminum pie plates
  • Glass bottles & jars (clear, blue, brown or green translucent glass)
  • Metal pots & pans
  • Small metal appliances (toasters, blenders, etc.) – nothing larger than a basketball
  • Small metal plumbing fixtures, faucets, valves
  • Tin & steel cans

The following items DO NOT go into your RECYCLE CART:

Non-Recyclable Items
  • Batteries
  • Brake rotors/drums
  • Construction Waste
  • Deli containers – except #1 plastic
  • Electronics
  • Frozen food or microwave dinner plates
  • Glassware & ceramics
  • Metal items heavier than 10 pounds
  • Mirrors & windows
  • Motor oil & gasoline containers
  • Plastic film, wrap & Styrofoam
  • Propane tanks
  • Recyclable containers containing liquids or food
  • Misc.: Carpet, clothing, diapers, fishing line, food, hoses, ropes & shoes

More information coming soon.

Yard waste is not included in this program.

Recycling

Thank you for Recycling these:

  • Cans: Aluminum and Steel Cans. Please empty and rinse.
  • Cartons: Food and Beverage Cartons. Please empty and replace cap.
  • Glass: Bottles and Jars. Please empty and rinse.
  • Paper: Cereal Boxes, Newspaper, Magazines & Mail, Flattened Cardboard, and Paper Tubes.
  • Plastic: Bottles and Containers Numbered 1 , 2 , and 5. Please empty and replace cap.

Please Do Not Recycle These:

  • Scrap Metal: No car parts or scrap metal
  • Plastic Bags: Do not bag recyclables; return plastic bags and wrap to retail stores
  • Hazards: No flammables, compressed cylinders, batteries, electronics, or sharps
  • Garbage: Empty all containers, no food, liquids, diapers, or garbage
  • Tanglers: No hoses, wires, or chains

Online Bill Pay

FAQs

I have some large items (refrigerator, recliner, stove, etc) that I need picked up.

Johns Disposal provides bulk collection. Each municipality has its own specific directions for when bulk items are collected. Click here to be directed to our municipality list. Each municipality page provides information on when bulk is collected in your municipality.

Do you take Electronics?

Yes, we collect electronics for a fee. If you have an old television, computer, crt monitor, etc. Electronics can no longer be collected with the bulk pick up. Please contact our office to schedule a special pick up. Our office is open Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30 and Saturday 8:00-12:00. Our phone number is 262-473-4700.

My Toter cart needs repair, how do I go about getting it fixed?

If your cart is broken, please contact our office. Our office phone number is 262-473-4700. We are open Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30 and Saturday 8:00-12:00.