The City of Milwaukee Drop Off Centers allow for the safe disposal and recycling of a wide variety of residential waste. The Drop Off Centers have evolved over the years to accommodate the separation and recycling of many material streams to steward resources and landfill space for the public benefit.
Drop Off Center Locations
South: 3879 W Lincoln Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53215 https://g.co/kgs/Jt6b91u
North: 6660 N Industrial Road, Milwaukee, WI 53223 https://g.co/kgs/DgB6vQm (must enter Industrial Road from Mill Road)
Hours of Operation
Summer
April 5 - November 29, 2025
Open Tuesday through Sunday
7:00 A.M. through 3:00 P.M.
Winter
November 24, 2024 - April 5, 2025
Open Tuesday through Saturday
7:00 A.M. through 3:00 P.M.
Closed on City Holidays
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Good Friday and Easter Sunday (Open Saturday)
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday)
- Christmas (Eve and Day)
Restrictions
The Drop Off Centers are available to City of Milwaukee residents and property owners. Current State or City-issued photo identification is required. A property tax bill or recent utility bill can also be used if your state-issued identification shows an address outside of City limits; the name on the bill must match that on the ID that you provide.
Those wishing to access the Drop Off Centers that own property in the City, but reside outside of the City, can complete a Property Ownership Form and bring it to either Drop Off Center office for supervisor approval (forms are available onsite as well). This form can then be used in the future as proof of eligibility.
Milwaukee County residents are permitted to utilize the Household Hazardous Waste program operated by
Fees
In order to help offset the cost of processing materials brought to the Drop Off Centers, a fee schedule is authorized under Milwaukee Code of Ordinances 79-14.5. The load size fees are based off of an approximation of the volume of the material being brought in (measured in cubic yards).
Fees are based on the volume of the load being brought in (measured in cubic yards). The vehicle and trailer references are to help give an approximation of how large of a volume those vehicles/trailers typically have.
As an example, a passenger car sized load is generally less than 1 cubic yard if the contents are packed in the trunk and/or backseat of the vehicle; this would be a load free of charge.
However, if a passenger car were to have a full trunk and have two mattresses on the roof of the car, this would increase the load size to over 1 cubic yard (closer to the load size of a Truck/Minivan/SUV), and would incur a $20 fee.
Normal recyclable materials and scrap metal are free of charge regardless of volume.
The payment booth accepts cash, debit, and all major credit cards.
Load Size Approximation/Item Fee
Less than 1 cubic yard/yd3
Passenger Car Free
1 -3 yd3 Pickup Truck $20
3-6 yd3 Small Trailer/Tall Truck $30
6-10 yd3 Large Trailer/Small Box Truck $50
10-18 yd3 propertyownershipform7-18-2019.pdfLarge Box Truck/Enclosed Trailer $90
Brush
Less than 6 yd3 free! $20
Televisions
Maximum of 3 $5 each
Tires
Maximum of 5 Free
The Drop Off Center staff approximates load sizes to help expedite entry. All loads are priced separately. Load size is determined by staff and is non-negotiable. Staff reserves the right to deny access depending on load, vehicle type, or conduct.
Televisions, regardless of cubic yard size, are charged based on quantity.
Wood Chips
Wood chips resulting from City of Milwaukee Forestry pruning operations are available at no cost at each location. Availability is not guaranteed.
Accepted Items
Recycled
- Antifreeze
- Appliances
- Asphalt Shingles
- Car batteries
- Concrete
- Cooking oil
- Electronics (TVs maximum of 3, $5 per TV)
- Large corrugated cardboard
- Motor oil and filters
- Recyclables normally accepted curbside
- Scrap metal
- Tires (maximum of 5 passenger tires)
Compostable
- Brush and branches
- Grass clippings
- Garden debris
- Leaves
- Logs
Landfilled
- Garbage
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Construction or remodeling debris*
The City of Milwaukee has drop-off centers where people can safely get rid of their household waste and recycle things. These centers help keep our environment clean.
Where are the Drop Off Centers?
- South Center: 3879 W Lincoln Avenue
- North Center: 6660 N Industrial Road (Enter from Mill Road)
When can you go?
- Summer (April 5 - November 29, 2025):
- Tuesday to Sunday, 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
- Winter (November 24, 2024 - April 5, 2025):
-Tuesday to Saturday, 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
-Closed on holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Who can use the centers?
Only people who live in Milwaukee can use these Drop Off Centers. You need an ID that shows you live here. If you own property in the City but don’t live here, you can fill out a special form to get approval.
Fees
There are some fees to drop off materials based on how much you bring:
- Loads under 1 car load are free.
- If you have more stuff, you will have to pay starting at $20.
- Regular recyclables and metal are always free.
What can you drop off?
- Recyclables:
- Batteries
- Old appliances
- TVs (you can bring up to 3, and it costs $5 each)
- Tires (up to 5 are free)
- Regular items you recycle at home
- Compostable Items:
- Grass clippings
- Branches
- Leaves
- Trash:
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Regular garbage
Wood chips from city tree trimming are also available for free at the centers, but there might not always be enough.
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