HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026GarbageRecyclingGuide
2026 Garbage &
Recycling Guide
Sanitation Division
Office — 639 Witzel Avenue
Follow the Driveway on the Ohio Street Side
(920) 232-5383
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
6:30 am to 2:30 pm
Closed Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays
Yard Waste Drop off Site — Permit Required
W. 3rd Avenue between Ohio Street & Idaho Street
Winter Hours:
December 1st to March 31st
Monday - Friday 6:30 am to 2:30 pm
Closed Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays
Summer Hours:
April 1st to November 30th
Monday - Friday 11 am to 7 pm
Saturday & Sunday 10 am to 6 pm
Closed Holidays
Sanitation web site: https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/Sanitation/
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Garbage & Recycling
Guidelines … 2-3
Garbage & Recycling Cart
Storage … 3
Residential Disposal Guide … 4
Brush & Leaf Collection
Guidelines … 6
Collection Route Map … 7
Calendar … 8
The City of Oshkosh Sanitation Division Automated Collection
program for garbage and recycling is designed to make collection
easier and more cost effective for the residents and the city.
The Sanitation Division makes approximately 32,000 weekly
stops on the garbage and recycling routes. The Sanitation Division
picked up 250 tons of garbage and 62 tons of recycling weekly in
2025. The City diverted over 3500 tons of recycling from reaching the
landfill. As you fill your carts, remember that a little sorting goes a long
way toward reducing the amount of garbage going to the landfill.
2
Garbage and Recycling Collection Guidelines
The Sanitation Division of the City of Oshkosh provides Garbage and Recycling collection services to resi-
dential customers in buildings of 4 living units or less. Garbage is collected every week and Recycling is
collected every other week, separated into “A” week and “B” week, (Route Map shown on Page 7).
Garbage Cart and Recycling Cart:
• The property owner of each residence shall purchase the garbage and recycling cart provided by
the City of Oshkosh. The property owner will choose the size and number of carts needed for the prop-
erty. However, one recycling cart is required at each living unit.
• All regular household waste (no recycling items) shall be placed inside the garbage cart. (Shredded
paper should be bagged and then placed inside the garbage cart or taken to a sponsored shredding
event or location.)
• All recycling materials shall be placed loosely (no plastic bags or garbage items) inside the recycling
cart.
• Cart lids must be closed, with nothing placed on top of the cart lids when they are out for collection.
The weight of each cart cannot exceed 300 pounds.
• Carts must be set out for collection no later than 5:00 am on your scheduled collection day. Late set
outs will not be collected until your next scheduled collection day. Carts can be placed out for collec-
tion no earlier than 4 pm the day before your collection day. Carts shall be returned to the proper
point of storage within 12 hours after collection.
Placement of Garbage and Recycling Carts for collection:
• Always place your cart so that the white serial numbers are facing the street.
This places the lid opening in the proper position for emptying.
• Place your cart on your driveway apron or terrace at ground level so that it is
3 feet away from obstacles such as other carts, special paid pick ups, brush
bags, parked cars, mail boxes, utility poles, trees and other obstructions. If the
terrace is too narrow to place the cart without obstructing the sidewalk,
place your cart at the house edge of the sidewalk or driveway apron. Carts
must not be placed in the roadway. Improperly placed carts will not be col-
lected.
• Winter Placement: The best placement is on your driveway apron after you have cleared it of snow. It
can also be placed on a cleared area on the street side of your terrace. Do not leave your cart on
the sidewalk or on top of a snow bank. Improperly placed carts will not be collected.
Occasional excess garbage: For an occasional need for extra garbage disposal, try one of the following
options:
• Check with a neighbor to see if they have extra room for your waste materials in their cart(s)
• Hold the excess waste materials for disposal on the next collection day
• Take garbage and/or recycling for disposal to the Winnebago County Solid Waste/Recycling Transfer
Station (Landfill)(920) 232-1800, WinnebagoCountyWI.gov/163/Solid-Waste. Disposal fees may apply.
• Purchase an additional cart. Additional garbage or recycling carts may be purchased at the Collec-
tions Center at City Hall. Each additional garbage cart collected will be charged an annual collection
fee of $180.00. There are no restrictions on the number of recycling carts collected per living unit.
3
• Items that do not fit into the cart may be scheduled as a Prepaid Pick up at the Collections Center at
City Hall, 215 Church Avenue. Once scheduled, the item should be placed at least 3 feet away from
your carts on the terrace or driveway apron, no later than 5:00 am on your scheduled collection day.
The prepaid cost per item is as follows:
$25 (each)—Freon Appliances, such as Refrigerators, Freezers, Air Conditioners, Humidifiers,
Dehumidifiers (Remove the doors from the Refrigerators and Freezers.)
$15 (total)—Non-Freon Appliances and other Metal, such as Dishwashers, Microwaves, Stoves,
Washers, Dryers, Water Heaters, Treadmills, Lawn Mowers (gas removed)
$15 (each)—Large Items, such as Couches, Toilets, Dressers, Mattresses, Box Springs, Carpet or Rugs
(up to 15 rolls, tied, no longer than 4 feet in length. Each roll weighing less than 50 pounds.)
TVs, other Electronics, and Tires will not be picked up curbside at any time.
Placing items on the terrace : All items on the terrace or driveway apron are presumed out for collection by
the Sanitation Division. The terrace and driveway apron cannot be used as a pick up location. Items “for
sale” or for “free” should be placed on the house side of the sidewalk, either on the grass or on the drive-
way. If loose items on the terrace have not been scheduled as a Prepaid Pick up, the items will be tagged
with a Violation Notice. The items must be removed by 5:00 am of the following work day or the City will
collect the items and issue a Violation Invoice for the cost of collection (minimum $25 plus a $25 adminis-
trative charge).
Garbage &
Recycling
Cart
Storage
Requirements
• Carts cannot be stored on any
side of a building that faces a
public right-of-way except alleys.
• Carts cannot be stored on, un-
der, or alongside of a front porch,
stoop, landing, accessible ramp,
or deck fronting on the public
right-of-way.
• Carts cannot be stored within 15-
feet of the public right-of-way
except during time of collection
4
City of Oshkosh Yard Waste Drop off Site
3rd Avenue between Ohio Street & Idaho Street
Permit required to drop off yard waste. Permit is only valid for one vehicle.
Permits may be purchased at the Collections Center, City Hall or at Kitz & Pfeil, 427 North Main St.
$25/City of Oshkosh resident -- $125/non-City of Oshkosh resident
All loads entering the yard waste site must be covered with a tarp or tied.
Yard waste from commercial operations prohibited, including tree trimmers, landscapers & apartment buildings.
Items Accepted Items NOT Accepted
Brush, up to 6 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter Brush, larger than 6 feet in length or 6 inches in diameter
Grass & Leaves Sod, Stumps, Roots & Dirt
Apples, Pumpkins & Walnuts Rocks, Gravel & Concrete
Weeds & Garden Debris Lumber or other wood & Building Materials
Waste Automotive Oil (no permit required) Any material classified as garbage or recyclable
Residential Disposal Guide
PLASTIC
Put these items in the RECYCLING CART
Bleach and Detergent containers
Dairy tubs and containers
Plastic Bottles, Jugs & Jars
Produce, Deli & Bakery Containers
Soda and Water bottles
Put these items in the GARBAGE CART
CDs, DVDs, Audio & Video Cassettes
Disposable Baby & Adult Diapers
Disposable Drink Cups
Extension Cords & Christmas Lights*
Garden Hoses
Kitty Litter Pails
Motor Oil Bottles, empty
Plastic Utensils, Plates
Plastic Bags, Wraps & Films*
Plastic Plant Pots, Trays & Lawn Edging
PVC Piping
Plastic Kids’ Toys
Styrofoam, Packing Peanuts and To-Go
Containers
GLASS
Put these items in the RECYCLING CART
Food & Beverage Bottles & Jars
Put these items in the GARBAGE CART
Ceramics & China
Drinking Glassware, Window Glass
Mirrors
PAPER, PAPERBOARD & CARDBOARD
Put these items in the RECYCLING CART
Cereal, Soda, Gift, & Shoe Boxes*, flattened
Corrugated Boxes*, flattened & cut to fit
Magazines
Milk, Juice & Soup Cartons
Newspapers* & Inserts
Office Paper, remove paper clips
Paperback & Hardcover Books
Paper Egg Cartons
Pizza Boxes, emptied of food
Put these items in the GARBAGE CART
Paper Towels, Napkins & Tissues
Shredded Paper*, bagged
Wax Paper
Tissue Paper
METAL
Put these items in the RECYCLING CART
Aluminum Bottles & Cans
Steel & Tin Cans, except Pet Food cans
Put these items in the GARBAGE CART
Metal Pet Food cans, lined with plastic
Aerosol cans*, empty
Aluminum Pans & Foil*
Latex Paint Cans, dried or empty
Place recycling items loosely in the cart.
Empty, rinse, and replace all caps and lids.
As you fill your carts for collection, remember a little sorting goes a long way to reducing costs and lowering
the amount of items going to the landfill. Please note the items below with an asterisk (*) may have other
disposal options besides the garbage cart. See the next page for more information.
5
Other than Curbside Collection
Towels and Bed Linens
Pots and Pans
Plastic Toys
Clothing/Textiles
Building Materials
Styrofoam
Plastic Bags & Wraps
Yard Waste
Sawdust/Ashes
Furniture
Diapers
Tires
Not sure if your item is
recyclable?
Scan this code
for more information.
Batteries & Bulbs
Visit dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/
Recycling/batteries.html for more
information on recycling batteries.
Fluorescent bulbs
Rechargeable Batteries
Vehicle Batteries
Batteries Plus (920) 231-1100
Lowes (920) 232-7423
Winnebago County Solid Waste (920) 232-1800
Computers & Electronics
Electronics with rechargeable bat-
teries are banned from Wisconsin
landfills and incinerators.
Visit dnr.wi.gov, search “ecycle”
for more information.
Blu Ray, CD & DVD Players
Cell Phones
Computer monitors
CPUs
E-readers & Tablets
Printers
TVs
Best Buy (920) 424-8079
Goodwill-Oshkosh (920) 233-3897
Milwaukee PC (920) 233-4706
Sadoff Iron & Metal (920) 232-7373
Winnebago County Solid Waste (920) 232-1800
Extension Cords &
Christmas Lights
Seasonal drop-off,
November — January City of Oshkosh — (920) 232-5383
City Hall — 215 Church Avenue
Field Operations Facility — 639 Witzel Avenue
Winnebago County Solid Waste (920) 232-1800
Home Composting
Visit dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/
recycling/compost.html for more
information.
Branches less than 1/2” in
diameter
Boxes & Newspapers
Garden Debris
Grass & Leaves
Shredded Paper
Composting defers material from the landfill, reducing
garbage and recycling costs.
Medication Unwanted or Expired
Medication Oshkosh Safety Building—open 24 hours a day
Needles & Sharps Place items in a Sharps
Disposable Container Aurora Pharmacy, Oshkosh
414 Doctors Court, Suite 100 — (920) 303-5006
135 Jackson Street, Suite 100 — (920) 303-8140
855 N. Westhaven Drive — (920) 303-8830
Pick ‘n Save Pharmacy (920) 236-9494
Plastic Bags, Wraps & Films Not all plastic bags or
wraps are recyclable.
Check with each store for
a list of items accepted.
Festival Foods (920) 966-3378
Piggly Wiggly (920) 236-7801
Target 920-426-5003
Walmart Supercenter (920) 231-1575
Scrap Metal Aerosol Cans
Aluminum
Appliances
Bicycles
Grills
Water Heaters
Miller Scrap Removal (920) 379-2517
Sadoff Iron & Metal (920) 232-7373
Winnebago County Solid Waste (920) 232-1800
Shredded Paper Place shredded paper in
a bag for drop off. United Recycling Solutions (920) 235-2000
Used Oil, Automotive Used motor oil, only. No
gasoline, antifreeze or
cleaning solvents.
City of Oshkosh Yard Waste Drop off Site
Winnebago County Solid Waste (920) 232-1800
Used Oil, Cooking All clean used cooking
oils, no bacon grease. Winnebago County Solid Waste (920) 232-1800
Wish-cycling is the disposing of items in the RECYCLING cart in hopes that it
will be recycled; however, these items do not belong in the recycling cart.
Many items can be re-used or recycled and kept out of our landfills. Many other items are required to be recy-
cled, but the curbside collection does not support that. Items not picked up curbside may be disposed of at
the following businesses. Charges and limitations may apply. Call for more information. Inclusion on this list is
not intended to imply endorsement by the City of Oshkosh, nor is exclusion intentional.
2026 Curbside Brush & Loose Leaf Collection Guidelines
Brush Week:
• Brush is defined as tree branches, hedge clippings, garden debris and leaves. The City does not pick
up grass, dirt, root balls, or stumps at any time.
• Curbside collection of brush is scheduled on your garbage day. Brush weeks are underlined and bold
on the Sanitation Collection Calendar. New for 2026: NO Brush collection during November 2026.
• Brush should be placed in paper biodegradable bags or bundled and tied. Bundles can be no longer
than 4 feet in length and have branches no larger than 3 inches in diameter. Bags and bundles shall
not exceed 50 pounds in weight. Do not place brush inside garbage or recycling carts for collection.
• Place bags and bundles at least 3 feet away from the garbage and recycling carts on the terrace or
driveway apron, no later than 5:00 am on the scheduled collection day. Do not obstruct the side-
walk. Loose brush will not be collected.
Spring Cleanup:
Spring Cleanup is 2 non-consecutive weeks of brush collection, scheduled during the weeks of April 6th
through April 10th, and April 20th through April 24th. Follow the same guidelines as the Brush Week collec-
tion above.
Fall Loose Leaf Collection:
• Fall Loose Leaf Collection runs for 5 consecutive weeks, starting October 19th and ending
November 20th. Collection is scheduled for the day after your garbage day. Loose leaf col-
lection weeks are noted by the green boxes on the Sanitation Collection Calendar.
• Place leaves loosely on the terrace, no bags or brush, no later than 5:00 am on the day after your
scheduled garbage collection day. Rake the leaves as close to the street as possible. Do not rake
leaves into the street, the gutter line or over the sidewalk. Be mindful of obstructions, such as parked
cars, mailboxes, fire hydrants and power poles. Do not mix brush, grass clippings, other plant materi-
als, dirt, root balls, rocks or stumps with the leaves.
• Loose leaf collection may end any time due to weather or equipment issues. Scheduled Loose leaf
collection will end November 20th.
Christmas Tree collection:
• Christmas tree collection will take place during 2 weeks in January. Check the
City website for exact dates.
• Place trees on the terrace or driveway apron, no later than 5:00 am on your
scheduled garbage collection day. Artificial or flocked trees will NOT be collected.
• Remove all decorations, lights and the tree stand. Trees must not be buried by
snow. Trees must be removed from plastic bags.
• Christmas wreaths, garland or swags that contain a metal frame should be
placed in the garbage cart.
Brush, leaves and Christmas trees may also be taken to the City of Oshkosh Yard Waste Drop off Site.
A Yard Waste permit is required.
6
Loose Leaf Collection Day 1st Day 2nd Day 3rd Day 4th Day Final Day
Friday Garbage = Monday Loose Leaf Collection 10/19 10/26 11/02 11/09 11/16
Monday Garbage = Tuesday Loose Leaf Collection 10/20 10/27 11/03 11/10 11/17
Tuesday Garbage = Wednesday Loose Leaf Collection 10/21 10/28 11/04 11/11 11/18
Wednesday Garbage = Thursday Loose Leaf Collection 10/22 10/29 11/05 11/12 11/19
Thursday Garbage = Friday Loose Leaf Collection 10/23 10/30 11/06 11/13 11/20
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 1
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
31 30 31
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 27 28 29 30 31
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
LEGEND:
Orange box Holiday--no collection
Orange circle Collection is one day later because of the holiday
Non-shaded week Recycling "A" week
Gray shaded week Recycling "B" week
Bold/underline Brush Week--Brush is collected ON your Garbage day. Brush should be placed on your terrace in paper biodegradable bags or
bundled and tied. Loose brush will not be collected. Bundles can be no longer than 4 feet in length and branches no larger than
3 inches in diameter. Bags and bundles should not exceed 50 pounds in weight. Grass clippings, dirt, root balls, or tree stumps
will not be collected at any time. NEW FOR 2026: NO Brush collection during November 2026.
Spring Clean up--Brush is collected ON your garbage day during 2 non-consecutive weeks in April. Scheduled during the weeks
of April 6th through April 10th and April 20th through April 24th. Follow the same guildelines as Brush Week.
Green outline Fall Loose Leaf collection--collected the day AFTER your Garbage day, from October 19 to November 20, 2026. Place leaves loosely
on the terrace, no bags or brush. Rake the leaves as close to the street as possible without going into the curb line or street. Do not
obstruct the sidewalk. Scheduled Loose Leaf Collection will end November 20, 2026. Loose leaf collection may end at any time due
to weather or equipment issues. Grass clippings, dirt, root balls, or tree stumps will not be collected at any time.
Sanitation Collection Calendar
2026
January February March April
May June July August
September October November December
2027
January February March April
8