City staff propose new yard-waste model: fewer curbside pickups, optional carts and free drop-off; alder debate centers on carts, worker safety and truck age

The Department of Public Works proposed a redesign of Wauwatosa’s curbside yard-waste program on Oct. 7 that would reduce the number of curbside collections, introduce optional wheeled yard-waste carts and make the city drop-off center free to residents. Public Works described the change as a way to reduce worker injury risk and to begin addressing an aging fleet of rear-loader trucks used for yard, leaf and debris removal.

What the department proposed

David Simpson said the proposal would run curbside yard-waste collection from mid-April through September in 2026, with six curbside pickups (about once per month). The plan would increase the allowed number of items per collection from 10 to 12 and would offer an optional 96-gallon yard-waste cart for residents to purchase (staff cited an estimated cart cost of roughly $85 plus local tax). The department would eliminate the per-drop-off fee at the city yard-waste drop-off site so residents who bring material there would not be charged. Simpson said the city collects about 1,400 tons curbside and roughly 1,500 tons at the…