5 Smart (and Free) Ways to Get Rid of Junk in Madison — Without Sending It to the Landfill

If you’re staring down a garage full of junk or a basement you haven’t touched in years, don’t reach for the dumpster just yet. Madison has some great (and often free) resources to help you responsibly dispose of unwanted items — whether you’re decluttering, renovating, or finally tackling that “junk drawer” the size of a whole room.

Here are 5 local ways to get rid of junk without trashing the planet:

1. Donate to Local Shelters and Reuse Centers

Madison and Dane County have multiple donation centers that accept everything from furniture to clothing to lightly used home goods. Items in good condition can be reused instead of dumped.

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore – Accepts furniture, cabinets, tools, appliances, and building materials

• St. Vincent de Paul – Madison – Offers pickup for large donations

• Porchlight Inc. – Accepts furniture for housing formerly homeless individuals

2. Recycle Electronics Responsibly

Old TVs, computers, printers, and other electronics shouldn’t end up in the landfill. Madison has strict e-waste rules — and free drop-off locations.

• City of Madison Electronics Recycling – Accepts e-waste by appointment

• Best Buy Recycling – Drop off electronics for free or a small fee

• Staples Recycling – Accepts smaller electronics and office tech

3. Drop Off Hazardous Waste Safely

Paint cans, old batteries, car fluids, pesticides — all of these are considered household hazardous waste and need special disposal.

• Clean Sweep Dane County – Free drop-off site open April through October

• Never put hazardous waste in your curbside bin — it’s a fire and environmental hazard

4. Use Madison’s Large Item Pickup (Correctly)

The City of Madison offers curbside bulk pickup for large items like couches, mattresses, and broken furniture — but it’s not as simple as dragging things to the street.

• Schedule Large Item Pickup – Online scheduler and guidelines

• Some items (TVs, microwaves, etc.) require fee stickers to be collected

5. Post Items on Local “Buy Nothing” and Freecycle Groups

Sometimes what looks like junk to you is treasure to someone else. Madison has active Buy Nothing Facebook groups and Freecycle networks where locals give away everything from baby gear to old patio furniture.

• Buy Nothing Project – Find your local Madison neighborhood group

• Freecycle Madison – Post or request free items locally

Bonus Tip: Not sure what to do with something? The City of Madison has a searchable tool to help you figure out how to dispose of just about anything.

• What Do I Do With…?

Whether you’re cleaning out a shed, finishing a remodel, or downsizing a family home, you’ve got eco-friendly options right here in Dane County. The landfill isn’t your only choice — and in many cases, it shouldn’t be your first.

Keep Madison clean. Keep it green. And know your options.