Weekly refuse collection is provided to one, two, and three family residences in the City of West Allis. Refuse must be accessible to crews at an alley or curb location by 7:00 a.m. on the assigned day of collection. Back door collection service will be provided to households experiencing medical hardships and, for an annual service fee, to other households requesting the additional service.
The City provides every other week recycling collection service to one to four family residences. Recyclables should be placed at the curb or alley edge by 7:00 a.m. on the same day as your refuse collection. Residents must use the official West Allis "blue bag" manufactured by the Presto® Company to contain their recyclables. The blue bags are available at many grocery and hardware stores located in West Allis. For items that are currently accepted for recycling, see Refuse and Recycling Information below. Recyclables may also be dropped off at the Municipal Yard.
- Printable Collection and Drop-Off Guidelines
- Refuse and Recycling Collection Schedule
- Refuse and Recycling Drop-Off Sites
Refuse and Recycling Information
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Appliances
Washers, dryers, water heaters, microwave ovens, etc. and units containing freon such as air conditioners, dehumidifiers, freezers, refrigerators, etc, are not collected by the City. Property owners may contact a private hauler and arrange for a collection. The Department will provide names of haulers offering pickup service upon request.
- BatteriesThe Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) accepts many kinds of batteries for disposal as Household Hazardous Waste at their self help locations and mobile collection sites. See the MMSD website for locations and hours. For alkaline (AAA, AA, A, C, D) batteries the preferred method of disposal is with MMSD, or they may be placed in your trash. Automobile batteries are not accepted by the City of West Allis or MMSD. Exchange with new automobile battery purchase or take to Batteries, Plus, National Salvage or Remy Batteries. Button batteries (used in watches, hearing aids, etc) are not accepted by the City of West Allis; MMSD will accept button batteries. Rechargeable nickel cadmium batteries are not accepted by the City of West Allis; take to retail stores such as Ace Hardware, Batteries Plus, Black and Decker Service Center, Circuit City, Radio Shack or Wal-Mart or to MMSD.
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Brush Collection Guidelines
Brush is defined as branches from trees and trimmings from bushes. Residents should place brush at the curb on the scheduled recycling collection day. Large pieces of brush, up to five feet in length, should be bundled and stacked between the sidewalk and the curb, not in the street. Small pieces of brush must be contained in boxes or cans marked "BRUSH" and the address called in to ensure collection. Do not use plastic bags to contain the brush. Brush in excess of 1 1/2 cubic yards and/or longer than five feet will require a special pickup and will incur an additional charge.
- Brush Collection Days
Between March 12 and October 5, 2012, the City will provide every other week collection of small amounts of resident-generated brush, up to 1-1/2 cubic yards, on the scheduled recycling pick-up day. No brush collection will be made during the holiday weeks of May 28, July and September 3, 2012.
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Computers and Electronics
On September 1, 2010 a new electronics recycling law takes effect that prohibits the disposal of various electronic devices such as computers, monitors, printers, televisions, VCRs, DVD players and cell phones in Wisconsin landfills. The new program called E-Cycle Wisconsin is administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and establishes a system for electronics from households and public schools to be collected and recycled. Many electronics contain harmful materials including mercury, lead and cadmium that are released into the air, water and soil if landfilled, incinerated or illegally dumped. Electronics contain valuable, reusable materials like glass, metal and plastic that can be recycled for new products. Reusing these valuable materials lessens environmental impacts by reducing the need for new materials. Households and public schools can recycle electronics at locations across the state. Collection sites in Milwaukee County include American TV and Appliance stores, Best Buy stores and Goodwill. For a full list of collection sites see the DNR’s website at dnr.wi.gov/ecyclewisconsin or call the Sanitation and Street Division at 302-8800 or the Recycling Office at 302-8831. Some collectors may charge fees and may not accept all devices. Contact any collectors beforehand to learn about their policies.
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Construction and Demolition Debris
Construction debris generated by a contractor will not be collected or disposed of by the City. Residential construction debris in small quantities, one refuse truck hopper load or less, when properly prepared, contained, and located, will be taken each week with the regular refuse collection from residential properties containing three or less living units. Quantities between 2 and 10 cubic yards may be disposed of with a permit at the Municipal Yard or by paying a fee for special pickup. The City will not collect or offer permits for the disposal of owner generated demolition material in excess of 10 cubic yards.
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Garbage Carts
Garbage carts are available for purchase from the City of West Allis by calling 302-8800. Carts are available in 63 and 96 gallon sizes.
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Grass Clippings
The State of Wisconsin has banned grass clippings from being disposed of with household refuse. The City of West Allis does not collect grass clippings and they are not accepted at the City’s drop-off sites. Grass clippings should be left on the lawn after mowing or added to a compost pile. [How to Compost Brochure] Grass cannot be raked or allowed to blow into the street where it can clog the storm sewers and contaminate run-off water.
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Household Debris
Large bulky furniture pieces weighing less than 150 pounds each will be taken on the regular refuse collection day from residential properties when located at the point of collection (i.e. alley edge or curbside, wherever refuse is regularly collected). Amounts less than 4 cubic yards of household debris will also be taken with the regular refuse collection when placed in a container and located at the alley edge or curbside. Quantities of household debris in excess of 4 cubic yards will require arrangements for a special pickup and additional fees. Large, heavy pieces of furniture requiring mechanical collection will be subject to a minimum charge of $25.00 to offset equipment charges. The City does not provide bulk household debris collections from commercial properties, multifamily properties containing four or more living units, or mixed-use buildings.
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Household Hazardous Wastes
Many common household items require special disposal. These products may be hazardous if used, stored, or disposed of improperly, causing fire, injuries and/or groundwater contamination. These items include used motor oil, gasoline, transmission fluid, antifreeze, oil-based paints, stain and paint remover, solvent-based cleaner, oven cleaner, pool and photo chemicals, pesticides, mothballs, batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs. Some of these items may be accepted at the City drop off sites, others must be taken to a hazardous waste disposal location. Please see the comprehensive list of collection guidelines for more detailed information. For additional questions about hazardous waste disposal, call MMSD at (414) 225-2066 or visit the MMSD web site.
- Light BulbsCompact fluorescent (spiral) should not be disposed of in your trash and are not accepted by the City of West Allis. Elliott Ace, Menards and Home Depot will accept or take to Household Hazardous Collection site (visit www.mmsd.com). Fluorescent bulbs may be placed in trash (wrap in newspaper), for residential pickup only, no business/commercial pickups.
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Mixed Paper
Mixed paper, including unwanted mail, school papers, cereal boxes with plastic liners removed, beverage case boxes and other thin cardboard boxes may be brought to the Municipal Yard drop-off site for recycling in the marked bin. Do not include frozen food or waxed boxes, food or water contaminated items, paperboard egg cartons, trays, or dishes. Mixed paper is not recycled at curbside with other recycling items. Recycling mixed paper is voluntary; it may also be discarded with household refuse.
- Prescription Drugs
The West Allis Police Department has a 24/7 drop off site at 11301 W. Lincoln Avenue. This drop off site was funded by the West Allis-West Milwaukee Community Coalition.
Items that are accepted include: prescription and over the counter medications, vitamins, medication samples, pet medications, inhalers and liquid medication in a leak proof container. Items that are not accepted include: illegal drugs, thermometers, bloody and infectious waste, hydrogen peroxide, aerosol cans, household waste, creams, ointments and personal care products. The process is simple. Just bring in accepted medications and place them into the drop box located in the lobby. The medications do not have to be removed from their bottle or packaging. Needles and syringes are not accepted at the WAPD drop off site, see the section below on Sharps for how to dispose of needles and syringes.
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Recyclables
The following should be placed in the official West Allis blue bag for recycling: aluminum cans, tin and steel cans (rinse thoroughly, then flatten cans), clean foil and foil trays, unbroken clean glass bottles and jars (remove lids, caps and rings), and #1, #2, #4 and #5 clean plastic. Newspapers, magazines and corrugated cardboard are accepted for recycling, but should not be placed in the blue bag. Newspapers and magazines should be bundled with twine or placed in brown paper grocery bags, not plastic bags. Corrugated cardboard boxes (rippled interior) should be flattened into 2' x 2' x 8" thick bundles. Other types of cardboard may be taken to the Municipal Yard drop-off site for recycling. These items are not accepted for recycling: windows, mirrors, broken glass, dishes, light bulbs, oil containers, plastic bags or hazardous waste containers.
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Sharps
"Sharps" include medical needles, syringes, lancets (finger stick devices) and other sharp medical instruments. State Law and Municipal Ordinance make it illegal to throw your used needles, syringes, and lancets out with your household garbage or recyclable materials. Unsafe disposal can result in serious diseases through accidental needle sticks. When disposing of sharps, do not break or bend needles.
The preferred method of disposal for sharps is a red "sharps" container available for purchase at local pharmacies. Sharps in an approved container are accepted at the Emergency Entrance of Aurora West Allis Medical Center (south of West Lincoln Avenue, off South 88 Street) and the following local pharmacies: Aurora Health Center, 7220 W. National Avenue, (414) 771-1350, Aurora Pharmacy, 2424 S. 90 Street, (414) 546-9722, K-Mart Pharmacy, 6900 W. Greenfield Avenue, (414) 476-0785, River Bend Serv-U, 7500 W. Oklahoma Avenue, (414) 327-1150
If a red sharps container is not used, sharps may be disposed of in a rigid container marked with a special sticker. These containers can only be disposed of at the Emergency Entrance of Aurora West Allis Medical Center . Contact Aurora West Allis Medical Center Environmental Services at (414) 328-7290 or the West Allis Health Department at (414) 302-8600 for the sticker and special instruction for disposal.
This information is subject to change without notice. Please contact the location you select for their specific policies.
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Yard Waste
The State of Wisconsin has banned yard waste such as leaves, weeds, thatch, flowers, vines and other non-fruit or vegetable matter from being collected and disposed of with household refuse. Yard waste can be disposed of in several ways. First, start a backyard compost pile. For more information contact the Recycling Office at (414) 302-8831. [How to Compost Brochure]. Second, yard waste materials may be placed in the curb-line of the street between April 8 and April 22, 2012 and September 16 to November 11, 2012. Do not mix brush, woody plants, grass, or other debris in the windrows. Remove pots and soil from potted plants before placing them in the curb-line. Rake the yard waste into the street along the curb-line forming a long low pile (a windrow). If there is no curb on your street, place yard waste along the roadway in a windrow. Wet the yard waste to keep it from blowing. Do not place yard waste in refuse containers for collection. Yard waste cannot be collected from drainage ditches, alleys, ash boxes, or large piles in your yard or driveway, or between the walk and curb. Do not burn your yard waste. This is a fire hazard to your neighborhood, your home and City equipment. Third, bring your yard waste to one of the West Allis drop-off sites for disposal without charge.
For more information about refuse and recycling please see How to Recycle, Recycling Instructions, Storage and Collection Guidelines, and Refuse and Recycling Collection Guidelines in Public Works Resources.
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