Garbage and Recycling

GFL has switched to A/B Weeks for recycling pickup as of July 17, 2023.

Click the image below for a larger map.

Fort Atkinson A B Recycling map

GFL Environmental, the City's garbage contractor, can be contacted by residents by dialing (800) 248-2373. 

Email

Fort Atkinson Customer Service email
FortAtkinsonWI@gflenv.com

Any further questions or concerns regarding refuse or recycling can be directed to the Municipal Building at 920-397-9901.

GARBAGE ROUTE MAP: (click here for map)

2024 RECYCLING/BULK SCHEDULE: (click here)

Cans must be out by 6 a.m. to be serviced. 

ITEMS TO BE RECYCLED: 

  • NEWSPAPERS
  • MAGAZINES
  • OFFICE PAPER: This includes glossy inserts, catalogs, mail circulars, phone books, paperback books, cereal boxes, envelopes, wrapping paper, etc
  • PLASTIC AND ASEPTIC CONTAINERS: This includes plastic bottles with threaded caps with the recycling symbol 1 through 5 and 7. When checking if your bottle is accepted, look for the recycling symbol on the container and its corresponding number. All plastic bottles must be rinsed out completely.  Juice and milk cartons are also accepted.
  • CARDBOARD (FLATTENED): This includes clean cardboard only. It must be broken down and flattened and placed inside the cart.
  • GLASS (CLEAR-BROWN-GREEN): All bottles and jars must be rinsed out.  No window glass, light bulbs, TV tubes, drinking glass, etc.
  • TIN & BI-METAL CANS: This includes soup, vegetable, juice cans, etc.  All cans must be rinsed out completely.
  • ALUMINUM: Aluminum beverage cans only. No aluminum foil, TV dinner trays, etc. 
  • Place your recyclables in the special recycling containers provided.  These containers are to be left with the residence if you move. Please keep your recyclables separate from your other garbage and easily accessible. Keep carts at least three feet apart and away from other objects (mailboxes, light poles, etc.) Fort Atkinson recycling is every other week, serviced same day as trash services.

PLASTIC BAG DISPOSAL: As a way to assist the City’s recycling pickup contractor, we are asking that no plastic bags from grocery stores, etc. be placed in the recycling bins as they are not an acceptable recyclable item.  It would also be appreciated that these bags not be used when placing items in your recycling bins as it causes extra time when separating the recyclables. 

You may dispose of these bags by placing them in your regular garbage bins or take them to the receptacles at the local grocery stores, who in turn do recycle them.

BULK & APPLIANCE PICKUP SERVICES

Bulk & appliance pickups are serviced one time per month.  Pickups are conducted on residents’ normal service day.

Please refer to the calendar for bulk weeks. 

Bulk services are limited to 2 cubic yards that can be handled by one person. 

DIMENSION EXAMPLE: 44” WIDE X 44” HEIGHT X 48” LONG

Examples of 2 cubic yard acceptable items:  Couch, chair, table, dresser, mattress, box spring, large kid toys, carpet roll pickup (cut down to 36” and tied).  No construction or home demolition materials, which include things such as drywall, siding or scrap wood.

APPLIANCE PICKUP SERVICES

Freon & non-freon appliances must be scheduled in advance prior to services for a cost of $30. Below are some examples of appliance services:

  • A/C Unit (Large)
  • A/C Unit (Window)
  • Dehumidifier
  • Dishwasher
  • Dryer
  • Furnace/boiler
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator/Freezer
  • Stove/Oven
  • Washer
  • Water Heater
  • Water Softener

All household trash, recyclables, and non-bulk items must be in the provided GFL Environmental cart.

For residents in need of extra services, extra carts can be purchased and scheduled for services.

Carts should be kept at least three feet apart and away from other objects (mail boxes, light poles, cars, etc).

EXAMPLES OF MATERIAL NOT ACCEPTED:

  • MEDICAL WASTE:  This includes needles, rubber gloves, oxygen tubes, IV bags, etc. 
  • YARD WASTE: It is illegal to landfill these items. 
  • WET PAINT or HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: Please contact your County Courthouse regarding the disposal of these items.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

There will be NO garbage pickup on the following days:

  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • July 4th 
  • Labor Day
Collections will be one day later (working on Saturdays) when the holiday falls during the week.

COMPOST SITE

The City of Fort Atkinson’s compost site will open from the first Saturday in April to the first Saturday in November. The hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday between 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for drop off of brush, grass, leaves and garden materials and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.  There are also extended hours on Wednesdays 8 a.m. to sunset.  Compost, grass, leaves, etc. are not accepted at the Department of Public Works (700 James Place) during months in which the compost site is open.

Fort Atkinson area residents may dispose of leaves/grass clippings/garden waste and brush. Items such as concrete/rocks/plastic/lumber and paper are NOT accepted. 

The electronic waste trailer will be open Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to sunset and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Due to an increase in recycling costs, there will be a $25 fee per old style television, console televisions and old style computer monitors. Please have exact change or check when dropping off these items.

Electronic items such as flat screen TVs, flat screen computer monitors, laptop computers, printers, computer peripherals, DVD players, digital video recorders, VCRs, fax machines, radios, CD players, and cell phones may be dropped off at no charge.

Household appliances are also accepted for recycling. Items such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, toasters, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, blenders, toaster ovens, air conditioners, and any other small household appliances may be dropped off at no charge. All refrigerators and freezers must be clean, have the doors removed and all glass shelving removed before they are dropped off.

Other items NOT accepted at the compost site are glass, batteries of any kind, light bulbs, smoke detectors, mercury containing devices, X-Ray devices, exit signs, contaminated medical equipment, any material containing PCB’s, furniture and items that are run by gasoline/diesel/kerosene due to a fire hazard.

The compost site has security cameras in place.