Refuse & Recycling

Collection Calendar

The 2023 Collection Calendar shows the collection schedule for refuse, recycling, brush, and yardwaste. Our service map shows collections days in the City.   

Recycling Guide

Fitchburg's Recycling Guide has recommendations on how to reduce, reuse, recycle, or otherwise dispose of unwanted items. Hard copies are available in the 2nd and 3rd Floor Lobbies of City Hall and at the Fitchburg Public Library.

Curbside Recycling

Fitchburg offers unlimited curbside recycling for the items listed in the Fitchburg Curbside Recyclables Guide. Listed items are to be placed in the the blue recycling cart for collection. Additional recyclables may be placed in a see-through bag or open container next to the recycling cart for curbside collection.  

Recycling Drop Off Site

Fitchburg's Recycling Drop Off Site is available to Fitchburg residents to dispose of yardwaste, used motor oil, scrap metal, and cardboard.

Recycling Tips

Here are some videos from Pellitteri to give you tips on being a super recycler in the community and to help you recycle more efficiently!

  1. What day is my trash picked up?
  2. How do I dispose of large items (e.g. mattresses, bedframes, furniture, TVs, stereos, microwaves, furniture)?
  3. Where can I find the current Solid Waste Collection Schedule (for curbside collection of Refuse, Recycling, Brush, and Yardwaste)?
  4. How do I get new or replacement Refuse and/or Recycling Carts?
View All FAQs

Fitchburg Refuse Tags

Have too much trash for your cart? Starting in January 2020 physical refuse tags will no longer be sold to residents by the City of Fitchburg. Instead, residents that have extra refuse should call Pellitteri to pay for additional refuse bags over the phone. Pricing for additional bags will be $3.50 each for up to a 32-gallon bag. This bag should not weigh over 50 pounds. You can schedule your extra refuse bags by calling 608-257-4285 any time before 4:00pm on the weekday preceding the next collection day.

Pellitteri

Pellitteri Waste Systems is Fitchburg's contracted residential waste hauler from January 2009 to December 2024. If you have questions or problems with your refuse or recycling service, you can contact Pellitteri Waste Systems at 608-257-HAUL (4285) or Fitchburg Public Works (publicworks@fitchburgwi.gov) at 608-270-4260. For current curbside collection rates go to www.fitchburgwi.gov/818/Curbside-Refuse-Recycling-Collection. To view a weight report summary from 2014-2018 please click here.

Wisconsin's Recycling Leader

The City of Fitchburg has a comprehensive, nationally recognized, curbside recycling program. 

In 2018, Fitchburg households recycled 593 tons of glass, plastic, and metal containers. Recycling these materials into new products rather than using virgin raw materials, saved the energy equivalent of over 236,168 gallons of oil.

Households also recycled 1,470 tons of paper, saving the equivalent of over 24,979 trees and 139,313 gallons of oil.

These recycling efforts have also reduced the emission of air pollutants and greenhouse gases by 3,136 tons.

As a part of the DNR Recycling Grant, Fitchburg reports refuse and recycling numbers annually. Past reports can be found for 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 and 2009.

Did you know we have unlimited recycling in Fitchburg? Additional recyclables that do not fit in the cart can be placed in a clear plastic bag (up to 32-gallon and no more than 50 pounds) and put next to the recycling cart. Additional recyclables will be collected at no additional charge. Refuse tags are not needed for additional recyclables.

Fitchburg Waste Sorts

Fitchburg conducted waste sorts in 2009 and 2012 to determine just what was being recycled and going to the landfill from our residents. The 2012 waste sort was conducted during Fitchburg's 2012-2013 Organics Collection Pilot period and also included an analysis of how much organic material was collected in organics carts.

Holiday Recycling Guide

Check out Fitchburg's holiday recycling guide, available in English and Spanish, to find out what holiday items are recyclable, and ways to reduce waste around the holidays.