Madison begins 2026 student move-out collections, deploying extra crews through Aug. 21

Madison’s annual student move-out collection operation began Monday, Aug. 3, bringing additional trash, recycling and large-item crews to the city’s designated student move-out area through Friday, Aug. 21.

The Streets Division said it is shifting staff and trucks from regular duties to manage the concentrated increase in curbside carts, furniture and other discarded material associated with the move-out period.

Crews will patrol the area on workdays to empty trash and recycling carts. Residents should place carts at the curb by 6:30 a.m. for collection.

Large items and curbside rules

The city said roaming crews will collect eligible furniture and other large items without a work order during the move-out operation. The Streets Division’s move-out information lists large-item collection beginning Aug. 2 and continuing through the morning of Aug. 21, while identifying Aug. 21 as the overall end date for the collection period.

Not everything left at the curb can be collected. Televisions, computers, printers and other electronics must not be placed there and instead must be taken to authorized recycling sites.

Madison property owners and managers should also be aware of the city’s enforcement window. Under the notice sent to property owners, covered electronics placed at the curb from Aug. 3 through 4 p.m. on Aug. 21 can result in a $30 administrative fee for each television, monitor, laptop or computer removed from the curb.

The fee is tied to specified covered electronic items, not to all large items set out during move-out.

Donation and recycling event set for Aug. 14

The city will hold Mooveapalooza, a donation and mattress-recycling event, at the Alliant Energy Center on Aug. 14. The event is part of the city’s move-out-period effort to direct usable goods and mattresses away from disposal.

The operation is limited to Madison’s designated student move-out area. Residents outside that area and property owners with questions about collection eligibility, electronics disposal or curb placement should follow Streets Division guidance for their address and materials.

The added collection schedule is set to conclude Aug. 21. The city has not provided an estimate for the number of residents involved or the amount of material expected during the 2026 move-out period.