Garbage and Recycling
Merrill's automated collection of garbage and recycling makes it safer and easier for you to get materials to the curb.
Here's what you need to know:
- Large item pick up service is available from April through October.
- We have a four-day collection schedule. Check the map to find your collection day.
- Check the calendar for the collection schedule during holiday weeks.
- Additional carts may be purchased for a fee. For more information, contact the Merrill Street Department at (715) 536-4222 or Streets@ci.merrill.wi.us.
Material Preparation
- All material needs to be placed inside the carts with the lid closed.
- Recyclables will be collected every other week — see calendar for collection dates.
- Recyclables must be placed loose in yellow lid cart. See the recycling sheet for acceptable materials.
- All recyclables must be rinsed clean before placing in cart.
- Save space in your recyclable cart by breaking down cardboard boxes.
- Garbage will be collected every week.
- Garbage should be bagged before placing in your cart with the black lid.
- Please place your provided cart in the proper spot designated by the Street Department.
- City collection vehicles or employees will not enter private property for the purpose of collecting materials.
- Material placed outside of your carts will not be collected.
- If a cart is found to have unacceptable materials in it, our crew will leave behind a tag indicating the problem.
Cart Placement
- Cart must be three feet from other objects or Cart obstructions such as mailboxes, trees, street lights or parked cars.
- Place your carts at the end of your driveway to prevent conflicts with parked cars.
- If no driveway fronts the street then place the carts within the grass boulevard strip behind the curb.
- Place carts on as level of a surface as possible and away from overhanging tree branches.
- The cart lid should be closed and not be overflowing.
- Items outside the cart will not be collected.
- Carts can be put on the curb after 4 p.m. the day prior to collection. Carts must be removed by 6 a.m. the day after collection. Carts should be placed at the curb no later that 6 a.m. on collection day.
- Carts must be stored off the boulevard inside a building or alongside the house or garage.
Common Reasons for Missed Collection
- Cart placement is not in accordance to the guidelines.
- Cart is placed at the curb after 6 a.m.
- Trash has been placed outside the cart or overfilled.
- Cart contains unacceptable materials.
- Cart has been placed atop a snow bank.
Winter Cart Placement Tips
- Keep a spot clear at the curb or on the boulevard for your carts.
- Clearing snow after each snowfall will make it easier to move your cart to its collection spot.
- Carts must not be set on snow banks.
- Do not place your carts in the street.
Is your Cart in Disrepair?
- If either your garbage or recycling cart is damaged (cracked, broken lid, missing wheels, etc.), all you need to do is contact the City of Merrill Street Department at (715) 536-4222 or Streets@ci.merrill.wi.us.
Yard Waste
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Compost (grass, leaves & garden waste): Place in clear garbage bag.
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Pine Needles: Place in clear garbage bag only (Separate bag from compost.)
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Branches & Brush: Cut 4’ long & bundled. Place clear bags of compost, clear bags of pine needles and bundles of brush curbside on your scheduled garbage collection day.
- Please keep bags of yard waste at least 3’ from carts.
- Yard waste may be brought to the City Garage yard waste site at the south end of Blaine St. Brush is not accepted there.
- There will be spring and fall brush cleanup weeks.
Large Item Pick-Up - One large item pickup per tax parcel per year can be arranged by contacting the Merrill City Garage at (715) 536-4222 and scheduling a pickup (large items will be collected from April 15th to November 1st).
- Items Picked Up: sofas, mattresses, box springs, chairs, windows, screens, tables, rolls of carpet and other bulky items.
- Contact the Merrill City Garage with questions.
- Items NOT picked up: stoves, refrigerators, freezers, microwaves, dehumidifiers, washers, driers, automotive parts, demolition and construction material, TV’s, DVD players, VCR’s, computer monitors, computer hard drives, printers and other computer related equipment.
- To find out were to recycle electronics, visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website.