Find out your garbage and recycling pick-up day by looking at the recycling calendar.

RESOURCES

• Refuse Collection Map (PDF)
• Trash Bin Placement Guide (PDF)
• Refuse & Recycling Guidelines (PDF)
• Garbage Recycle Bin Request Form (Online)

PLEASE REVIEW THESE IMPORTANT GUIDELINES:

• All trash must be placed in the BLACK LID wheeled cart only.
• All recyclables must be placed in the GREEN LID wheeled cart only.  The sorting and separating of recyclables is not required.  Do not bag or bind recyclable materials.
• All refuse MUST fit in the container with the lid closed.  Do not overfill.  Any bags or refuse outside of the container will not be picked up.
• Residents must put their container curbside prior to 5:45 a.m. of pick-up day but not earlier than 3:00 p.m. on the day before pick-up. Containers MUST be put away from curb by 11:00 a.m. the day after pick-up.
• Place carts at the end of the driveway with arrows pointed toward the street and at least 4 feet from each other and from obstacles such as mailboxes, trees, and street lights.  This placement allows the mechanical arm of the truck to pick up and empty the carts easily.
• If your home does not have a driveway, place the carts on the grassy boulevard strip.
• Do not place carts in the street or on top of snow banks.
• Between pick-ups, trash and recyclable containers must be stored inside a garage or behind the front of the house.
• Yard waste MUST NOT be mixed with solid waste.

Holiday Schedule for Garbage, Recycling, Yard Waste Pick-up

When a holiday falls on a week day, Harter's Fox Valley Disposal will maintain a five-day schedule (see below) for the collection of garbage, recyclables and yard waste. Depending on what day of the week the holiday falls, your pick-up may be moved to the following day. Garbage should be placed out by 5:00 a.m. If your garbage, recyclables, or yard waste is missed, please call Harter's Fox Valley Disposal at 1-888-804-8556.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:
Holidays include:  New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

When the holiday falls on MONDAY, pick-up will be moved one day later for all days, to Tuesday through Saturday.

When the holiday falls on TUESDAY, Monday pick-up will be the same as usual; Tuesday through Friday pick-up will be moved one day later to Wednesday through Saturday.

When the holiday falls on WEDNESDAY, Monday and Tuesday pick-up will be the same as usual; Wednesday through Friday pick-up will be moved one day later to Thursday through Saturday.

When the holiday falls on THURSDAY, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday pick-up will be the same as usual; Thursday and Friday pick-up will be moved one day later to Friday and Saturday.

When the holiday falls on FRIDAY, Monday through Thursday pick-up will be the same as usual; Friday pick-up will be moved one day later to Saturday.

Recycling Works for Wausau! Your participation in the City's recycling program is important. Not only is recycling valuable to the environment, it is mandated by the State and we receive financial grants based on the amount collected. If the recycling amount goes down, so does our financial assistance! Residents must use the green lid wheeled cart provided by Harter's Fox Valley Disposal, the company contracted by the City to collect trash and recyclables.

Specific information on Wausau's recycling program is available (PDF.) If you have questions or need further clarification, please contact the City Hall Information Center at 715-261-6500, or Harter's Fox Valley Disposal at 1-888-804-8556.

Recycling App for Residents

The City of Wausau, in partnership with packaging solutions provider Rocket Industrial, has launched a recycling education app for Wausau residents as a new tool to help residents properly recycle.  More information is provided in the following links:

Recycling App Informational Flyer

 Recycling Schedule

Residents who are familiar with the recycling collection schedule and know which color they followed last year may continue to follow that same color. If you have any questions as to whether you live in a blue or yellow collection area, please refer to the table below or call the Information Center at 715-261-6500.

A recycling map is also available. (PDF)

There are some things that are better off not being put in the garbage can.  

Outdated electronics can be recycled with the Good News Project, a non-profit organization.  They also will accept used durable medical equipment, which they lend out to those who need it.  You can find more information at Good News Project.

 Hazardous waste should also not go with regular garbage.  

The Marathon County Hazardous Waste Collection Site is part of the Marathon County Solid Waste Department (landfill) at R18500 East Highway 29 in Ringle.  The Solid Waste Department is located on the north side of Highway 29, approximately 12 miles east of Wausau and 1.5 miles east of the County Q exit. 

All individuals needing hazardous waste service must call in advance to make an appointment.  This ensures that trained staff is available to assist customers and provide for the safe management of their hazardous materials.  Appointment days are Mondays through Fridays and appointment times are between 8:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.  The number to call for an appointment is (715) 446-3101, extension 100.

The new Hazardous Waste Collection Site WILL ACCEPT:  creosote; degreasers; fuel; ether; cleaning solvents; drain cleaners; dry cleaning fluilds; gun cleaners; fungicides; herbicides; insecticides; metal cleaners; mildew cleaners; oven cleaners; floor/furniture polish; nail polish removers; thinners; oil-based paints; varnish; turpentine; hobby materials; photography cleaners; aerosol paints (no empty cans); sharps (only accepted if packaged in commercial sharps containers or heavy plastic detergent or bleach bottle with a screw on cap and clearly marked "bio-hazard" or "sharps" and "DO NOT RECYCLE").

The clean sweep program will NOT ACCEPT:  ammunition; explosives; freon; latex paint; fire extinguishers or compressed gas cylinders (if empty take to landfill to recycle as scrap metal for free); medical wastes; radioactive materials; or water-based stains or caulks.

For more information regarding these changes, or for other recycling and solid waste information, please contact the Marathon County Solid Waste & Recycling Information Line at 1-877-270-3989 (toll free) at their website.

Special Cart Service for Disabled Residents

In order to assist residents with disabilities who do not have another person to help them with their property responsibilities, the City has established a program to help residents manage cart placement on collection day.

To qualify for the roll out cart service a resident must:

1. Be unable to wheel their cart to the curb for collection
2. Have no one else who can assist them
3. Be certified by a physician as needing assistance
4. Fill out and return the required Application for Residential Disabled Roll Out Service

Guidelines:

1. On collection day your carts must be placed where they can be seen from the street
2. In the winter, a path must be clear of snow and ice so workers can safely transport the carts to the street and back.

Once completed the application should be returned to: City of Wausau, Customer Service, 407 Grant Street Wausau WI 54403. If you have additional questions about the disabled program please contact 715-261-6610.