Student Move-Out Junk Removal in Madison

What the city does

• The move-out area runs from the Yahara River to N Allen Street, over to Grant Street and down to Haywood Drive.
• Crews empty trash and recycling carts every work day from August 3 to 21; carts out by 6:30am.
• Couches, chairs, mattresses, box springs, bookshelves, tables and rugs are picked up without a work order from August 2 to the morning of August 21.
• Appliances (microwaves, ACs, dehumidifiers, fridges) and tires still need a work order; in 2026 every property in the area, including buildings over 8 units, could file one from July 26 to August 14.
• TVs and computers never go to the curb; landlords in the area were warned by letter in June 2026 about billing for electronics set out.

What a hired crew covers

Anything you can't carry to the curb, appliances after August 14, electronics, and moves that fall outside the window. The city's own move-out page lists a private junk hauling service among the options for large items after August 21. The city also ran Mooveapalooza, a one-day donation and recycling event at the Alliant Energy Center, on August 14, 2026.

Full timeline in the August move-out guide, and the back story in Hippie Christmas.