Blue cart
Clean paper and cardboard, metal cans, glass bottles and jars, cartons, and accepted #1, #2, and #5 plastic containers. Keep everything loose.
How do I get rid of this?
Search an item and get a plain answer for Milwaukee: recycle it, trash it, donate it, schedule pickup, or take it somewhere safe.
Checked against city and MMSD sources · September 7, 2026
What are you getting rid of?
Search for an item to get a direct Milwaukee-specific answer.
Popular items
- AppliancesDrop offTake household appliances to a City of Milwaukee drop-off center.
- Automotive fluidsCheck the detailsMotor oil, oil filters, and antifreeze can go to a city drop-off center; gasoline and brake fluid belong at Home HazMat.
- BatteriesCheck the detailsBattery type matters: rechargeable and button batteries need special collection; ordinary alkaline batteries may go in the trash.
- Branches and brushPickupRequest seasonal brush collection for up to 2 cubic yards, or take larger loads to a city drop-off center.
- Metal cans and foilRecycleClean aluminum and steel cans, foil, and foil pans belong loose in the blue cart.
- Cardboard and boxesRecycleFlatten clean cardboard and put it in the blue cart. Greasy or food-soiled sections belong in the trash.
- Clothing and shoesDonate or reuseDonate wearable clothing and shoes. Items that cannot be reused belong in the green cart.
- Construction and remodeling debrisDrop offConstruction debris does not belong in curbside carts. Use a city drop-off center or arrange paid collection.
- ElectronicsDrop offElectronics are not accepted curbside. Bring them to a city drop-off center or an electronics recycler.
- Food scrapsTrashFood scraps belong in the green cart unless you compost them.
- FurniturePickupDonate usable furniture. One cubic yard or less can use regular collection; larger amounts need paid pickup or drop-off.
- Glass bottles and jarsRecycleEmpty glass bottles and jars belong loose in the blue cart.
- Household chemicals and cleanersHazardous wasteTake leftover hazardous household chemicals to MMSD Home HazMat.
- Light bulbsCheck the detailsFluorescent and CFL bulbs go to Home HazMat. Incandescent and halogen bulbs go in the trash.
- MedicineMedication drop boxUse a medication drop box or mail-back envelope for unwanted medicine.
- Needles and sharpsSharps siteSeal sharps in an approved container and take them to a registered collection station.
- PaintCheck the detailsOil-based paint goes to Home HazMat. For latex paint, Home HazMat is easiest; fully dried latex paint may go in the trash.
- Paper and mailRecycleClean paper, mail, magazines, and newspapers belong in the blue cart.
- Plastic bags and filmCheck the detailsPlastic bags and film do not belong in Milwaukee’s blue cart. Use a retailer take-back program or put them in the trash.
- Plastic bottles and containersRecycleEmpty plastic bottles and containers marked #1, #2, or #5 belong loose in the blue cart.
- Propane tanksHazardous wasteTake 1-pound or 20-pound propane cylinders to MMSD Home HazMat.
- Foam and StyrofoamTrashFoam packaging and food containers belong in the green cart.
- TiresDrop offBring up to five passenger-vehicle tires to a city drop-off center.
- TelevisionsDrop offBring televisions to a city drop-off center. They cannot go in either curbside cart.
- Leaves and yard wastePickupCompost yard waste, take it to a drop-off center, or use the city’s seasonal fall leaf collection.
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The curbside basics
Green cart
Ordinary household garbage, including foam, food-soiled paper, plastic film when take-back is impractical, and securely wrapped broken household glass.
Keep out of both
Batteries, electronics, chemicals, liquid paint, propane, sharps, yard waste, and construction debris need another route.