Frequently Asked Questions

Refuse and recycling is collected Wednesdays. Refuse is collected on a weekly basis while recycling is collected bi-weekly (every other week).

Refuse and recycling are collected between the hours of 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Refuse and recycling must be to the curb by 7:00 AM.

Larger refuse and recycling carts are  95-gallons in size. Smaller refuse and recycling carts are 65-gallons in size. Please contact Columbia County Solid Waste with any cart size questions.

On Wednesdays, place the gray refuse cart on one side of your driveway or property. Place the blue recycling cart on the other side. The lid opening must face the street. Keep the cart at least three feet away from:

• The other cart
• Vehicles
• Trees
• Mailboxes
• Utility poles or boxes
• Fire hydrants
• Other structures

Refuse and recycling carts are the property of Columbia County Solid Waste.

Any issues with a cart should be directed to Columbia County Solid Waste’s office, 608-742-6651.

Only items placed inside the carts will be collected. Full plastic bags placed inside the carts are acceptable.

Items such as aluminum, cardboard, plastic bottles, plastic jars, glass bottles, glass jars, paper, and tin food cans are accepted as recycling material by the city’s collection provider.  A more comprehensive list of acceptable recycling materials is available on the Columbia County Solid Waste website.

The refuse (or trash) cart should hold non-recyclable materials. No liquids, electronics, hazardous materials, or recyclables are permitted in the refuse cart.  All refuse must be in the cart. Materials not placed in the cart will not be collected.

Carts can be stored in garages, along the sides of properties, or behind properties. Storage of carts in the front of properties is not permitted.

The annual refuse and recycling program fee is $147 per eligible residence or business. The program fee is payable as a special fee on property tax bills.

Property owners of newly constructed residences should contact City Hall once they receive an occupancy permit. New residents will be required to pay a prorated portion of the year prior to receiving garbage and recycling carts. Subsequent charges for garbage and recycling cart collection will be assessed on property taxes as a special fee.

Small businesses who opt into the city's garbage and recycling collection program should contact City Hall. The property owner where the small business resides will be required to pay a prorated portion of the year prior to the small business owner receiving garbage and recycling carts. Subsequent charges for garbage and recycling cart collection will be assessed on property taxes as a special fee until the city is notified that the collection services are no longer needed.