FAQ
110 straight answers about trash pickup, recycling, billing, and service in Delavan, Beloit, and Clinton.
Red Bird Waste is a local, owner-operated residential trash and recycling service in southern Wisconsin. We serve Delavan, Beloit, and Clinton with reliable weekly curbside pickup — no contracts, no setup fees, no surprises. Plans start at $27 per month. Sign up online in under three minutes.
Pricing & Billing
How much does trash pickup cost?
Trash pickup from Red Bird Waste starts at $27 per month for a 65-gallon cart and $29 per month for a 96-gallon cart. Adding weekly recycling pickup is another $3 per month, so our four plans run $27, $29, $30, or $32 per month depending on cart size and whether you want recycling. No contracts, no setup fees, and no sales tax on residential trash service in Wisconsin — the price you see is the price you pay.
What are your trash pickup prices?
Our four monthly plans are: 96-gallon cart with trash and recycling for $32, 96-gallon cart with trash only for $29, 65-gallon cart with trash and recycling for $30, and 65-gallon cart with trash only for $27. Pick the plan that fits your household.
What is the cheapest trash pickup option?
The cheapest plan is the 65-gallon cart with trash only at $27 per month. The 65-gallon cart is reserved for seniors and customers with limited mobility, so most households start with the 96-gallon trash-only plan at $29 per month.
Is recycling included in the price?
Recycling is not included by default. It is an optional $3 per month add-on, which means you can choose weekly recycling pickup alongside your trash or stick with trash-only service. Either way, the pickup day and the rules are the same.
How much does recycling cost?
Recycling is $3 per month on top of your base trash plan. That gives you weekly curbside pickup of single-stream recyclables in a dedicated recycling cart.
Is there a senior discount?
Yes. Seniors and customers with limited mobility qualify for the 65-gallon cart, which is $2 per month cheaper than the standard 96-gallon cart. You self-certify eligibility at signup with a single checkbox — no paperwork, no ID verification.
Is there an annual discount?
Yes. Pay for a full year up front and we take $10 off the yearly total on all four plans. The 96-gallon plan with recycling works out to $374 a year instead of $384, and the 65-gallon trash-only plan works out to $314 a year instead of $324. Quarterly billing is also available at the standard rate.
Do you charge sales tax?
No. Residential trash service is exempt from sales tax in Wisconsin, so the price you see is the price you pay.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. The only extra charges are for things you choose to add: extra bags beyond the free first one each week, bulk items like mattresses or appliances, and a $10 late fee if a bill goes unpaid for more than ten days. Every rate is published on the website before you sign up.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit and debit cards. Monthly customers are required to be on autopay — the card on file is charged automatically each month. Quarterly and annual customers can pay by card on demand when their bill arrives. Payment runs through CardConnect, a secure PCI-compliant processor, so your card information is never stored on our systems.
Can I pay monthly, quarterly, or annually?
All three. Monthly customers must be enrolled in autopay — the card on file is charged automatically each cycle so no one falls behind. Quarterly customers get a bill in the first week of the month ahead of the quarter (the December bill covers January through March, the March bill covers April through June, and so on). Annual customers pay once for the year and get a $10 discount. You pick your billing frequency at signup and can switch later.
When will I get my first bill?
Your first charge is taken when you sign up and covers the portion of the current month ahead of your first pickup. After that, billing depends on the cycle you choose. Monthly customers are on autopay and get charged automatically at the start of each month, 30 days ahead of service — the November 1 charge covers December service. Quarterly customers get a single bill in the first week of the month before the quarter starts, so the December bill covers January, February, and March. Annual customers pay once for the full year and get a $10 discount.
Do you prorate the first month?
Yes, using a two-value rule. Sign up between the 1st and the 15th of the month and you pay half of your base monthly rate for the rest of the month. Sign up on the 16th or later and you pay your full base rate; your next full month starts on the 1st.
Is there a late fee?
Yes. If a bill is more than ten days past due, a $10 late fee is added to your account. Service continues while we work with you, but if pickups are missed for non-payment three times in one month, service is suspended until the balance is cleared.
What if I can't pay?
Call or email before the due date. We'd rather work out a revised payment plan than suspend service. Red Bird Waste is a small, local, owner-operated business in southern Wisconsin — you'll reach Nick or Allison directly, not a collections department.
Do you send paper bills?
Billing is digital by default, with receipts and monthly statements sent by email. If you'd prefer paper bills, let us know at signup and we'll mail them instead.
Can I change my plan later?
Yes. You can switch between cart sizes (within the 65-gallon senior rules) and add or drop recycling at any time. Changes take effect on your next billing cycle.
Do you require a contract?
No contracts, ever. Red Bird Waste is month-to-month with no cancellation fee and no signup fee. If you want to cancel, you tell us — done. We'd rather earn your business every month than lock you into paperwork.
Do I have to be on autopay?
Monthly customers, yes — autopay is required so no one falls behind on payments. Quarterly and annual customers don't have to be on autopay; you get a bill at the start of each billing period and can pay by card whenever it's convenient within the window. Autopay is optional for quarterly and annual customers if you'd prefer the convenience.
Why is autopay required for monthly customers?
Monthly billing only works if it runs on autopilot. Chasing small monthly balances doesn't make sense for a local hauler, and late fees and service interruptions aren't good for anyone. Autopay keeps the relationship simple: reliable service, predictable billing, no paper statements to track. If you'd rather not be on autopay, switch to the quarterly or annual plan — those are bill-on-demand.
Signup & Service Start
How do I sign up?
Sign up online at redbirdwaste.com. The full flow takes about three minutes: you enter your service address, we verify that you're inside one of our three service towns, you choose your cart size and whether to add recycling, you pick a start date, and you pay with a credit or debit card. No phone call, no paperwork.
How long does signup take?
About three minutes. You need your service address and a credit or debit card. That's it.
What information do I need to sign up?
Your service address, a contact email and phone number, and a credit or debit card for billing.
When will I get my first pickup?
If you sign up by 5 PM the day before your town's route day, your cart is delivered that same route day and your first pickup is the following week. If you sign up after 5 PM, your cart is delivered the following week and your first pickup is the week after.
When will my cart arrive?
Within a few days of signup, and no later than the route day of the following week. Cart delivery is free.
What if my cart hasn't arrived by my first pickup day?
Set your bags at the curb the night before your route day and we'll pick them up. We'd rather haul a few bags than leave you hanging. Your cart will catch up within a couple of days.
Is there a cutoff time for same-week service?
Yes, 5 PM the day before your town's route day. Delavan pickups are Tuesday, so the Delavan cutoff is Monday at 5 PM. Beloit is Wednesday, cutoff Tuesday at 5 PM. Clinton is Thursday, cutoff Wednesday at 5 PM.
Can I start service this week?
If it's before 5 PM the day before your route day, yes.
Do I need to be home when the cart is delivered?
No. We leave the cart in a visible spot near your driveway or garage. You don't need to be home for pickup either — just have the cart at the curb by 6 AM on your route day.
Is there a signup fee?
No. Signup, cart delivery, and account setup are all free. You only pay your monthly service rate.
Pickup Schedule
What day is my trash pickup?
Delavan is serviced on Tuesdays, Beloit on Wednesdays, and Clinton on Thursdays. Each town has one pickup day per week.
What day is trash pickup in Delavan?
Tuesday. Put your cart at the curb the night before — at the latest, by 6 AM on your route day.
What day is trash pickup in Beloit?
Wednesday. Put your cart at the curb the night before — at the latest, by 6 AM on your route day.
What day is trash pickup in Clinton?
Thursday. Put your cart at the curb the night before — at the latest, by 6 AM on your route day.
When should I put my cart out?
The night before your route day. Roll the cart to the curb the evening before pickup so it's ready when the truck comes through — routes start early in the morning and we can't circle back for a cart that missed the truck. At the very latest, the cart needs to be at the curb by 6 AM on your route day.
Where do I put my cart?
At the curb, with the wheels facing your house and the handle facing the street. Leave at least three feet of clear space on all sides so the truck arm can grab it without hitting a mailbox, a parked car, or another cart.
Do you pick up on holidays?
If your route day falls during the week of one of five observed holidays, pickup slides one day later that week. Otherwise the schedule is unchanged.
Which holidays do you observe?
Christmas, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving. When your route day falls in a week containing any of those, pickup is delayed by one day.
What happens if my pickup is missed?
If we missed you and the cart was out on time and accessible, call or email — if you're on-route the same week we'll come back for it, otherwise your next pickup is the following week. If the cart was out late or blocked, it will wait until the next route day.
Do you run pickup in bad weather?
Yes. Reliable pickup through snow, rain, and cold is part of the job — southern Wisconsin winters don't stop us. In rare cases of major storms or hazardous road conditions, pickup may be delayed by a day, and we'll post updates if that happens.
What if I go on vacation?
You can put service on vacation hold for a one-month minimum. No billing during the hold, and we reactivate your route when you come back.
How do I put service on vacation hold?
Email or call us at least a week before you leave. We'll pause your billing for the hold period and restart service when you return.
What Goes In the Cart
What can I throw in my trash cart?
Normal household garbage — kitchen trash, food waste, non-recyclable packaging, yard waste, and small non-hazardous household items. Everything inside the cart should be bagged to keep things clean and cut down on animal problems.
Can I put yard waste in the trash?
Yes. Grass clippings, leaves, small branches, and garden waste can all go in the trash cart. Bag them if they're loose.
How many extra bags are free each week?
One. If you have more garbage than fits in the cart, one extra bag set next to the cart is free. Any additional bags beyond that are $10 per bag.
What's the fee for extra bags?
The first extra bag each week is free. Every bag after that is $10.
Do I have to bag everything?
Yes. Everything inside the cart should be bagged — loose trash gets messy in transit and attracts animals. Extra items set beside the cart also need to be bagged, unless they're a bulk item on the fee schedule.
Can I put loose items next to the cart?
Only if they're on the bulk item fee list and you've noted the pickup on your account. Anything else follows the extra-bag rule: first bag free, $10 per additional bag.
Can I put hot ashes or fireplace ashes in the trash?
Only after the ashes have been completely cold for at least 72 hours. Warm or hot ashes can start fires inside the truck. When in doubt, wait another day.
Can I put pet waste in the trash?
Yes, as long as it's double-bagged and in a regular household quantity. Pet waste cannot go in the recycling cart.
Do you accept construction debris?
No. Demolition waste, drywall, lumber, tile, and similar construction materials are not part of residential service. A dumpster rental is the right fit for a renovation or cleanout.
Do you accept hazardous waste?
No. Paint, solvents, automotive fluids, pesticides, pool chemicals, and other hazardous materials are not accepted in the regular trash stream. Walworth and Rock counties both run household hazardous waste collection events throughout the year.
Do you accept electronics?
No — not in the curbside cart. Wisconsin law prohibits TVs, computers, printers, and most electronics from residential trash. Our recycling drop-offs page lists free e-waste locations in southern Wisconsin.
Do you accept tires?
No. Tires need to go to a scrap yard or a dedicated tire-recycling location.
Do you accept propane tanks?
No. Small camping canisters and grill tanks cannot go in the cart. Most hardware stores and propane exchange programs will take them.
Do you accept medical waste or sharps?
No. Used needles, syringes, and sharps need to be in an approved sharps container and returned through a pharmacy or clinic program.
Bulk Items
Do you pick up bulk items?
Yes. Red Bird Waste picks up furniture, mattresses, appliances, and other large household items for a per-item fee. Set the item at the curb next to your cart on your regular route day and add a note to your account or email us so we know it's coming.
How much does bulk pickup cost?
It depends on the item. Mattresses and box springs are $35. Couches are $40 and sectionals are $75. Dressers, nightstands, and small furniture are $20. Dining tables and desks are $30. Large appliances like fridges and washers are $50. Small appliances like microwaves are $25. TVs are $25 under 40 inches or $40 over 40 inches. Grills with the propane tank removed are $30. Recliners are $25.
How much to pick up a mattress?
$35 for a mattress or box spring. Wrap it in plastic if rain is in the forecast — we'll still take it wet, but dry bulk is easier on everyone.
How much to pick up a couch?
$40 for a standard couch or loveseat. $75 for a sectional. If a sectional separates into pieces, the fee is the same.
How much to pick up a recliner?
$25 for a recliner or armchair.
How much to pick up a dresser or nightstand?
$20 — the same rate for any small-to-medium piece of furniture.
How much to pick up a dining table or desk?
$30.
How much to pick up a fridge, washer, or dryer?
$50 for any large appliance — refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer, range, or dishwasher. Wisconsin rules require refrigerant-containing appliances to have their refrigerant removed by a licensed technician before pickup. Most appliance stores offer this when you replace a unit.
How much to pick up a microwave or AC unit?
$25 for small appliances — microwave, window AC, toaster oven, and similar countertop-or-smaller items.
How much to pick up a TV?
$25 for TVs up to 40 inches. $40 for TVs over 40 inches. TVs are also accepted free at several e-waste drop-off sites in southern Wisconsin; see the recycling drop-offs page if you'd rather haul it yourself.
How much to pick up a grill?
$30, with the propane tank removed first. The tank itself should go to a propane exchange or hardware store.
Do I need to schedule bulk pickup in advance?
No advance scheduling required. Add a note on your account before your route day or email us. If it's at the curb when the truck comes through, it gets picked up and the fee posts to your next bill.
What if I have a pile of small items that aren't on the bulk list?
Bag them. Anything bagged follows the extra-bag rule — first extra bag free, every bag after that $10. No per-item charge.
Can you take construction debris as bulk?
No. Demolition waste, drywall, lumber, and construction materials aren't part of residential service. A dumpster rental is the right fit for a project.
What bulk items do you NOT accept?
Construction debris, tires, paint, hazardous chemicals, and electronics. Electronics specifically are prohibited from the residential trash stream in Wisconsin — see the recycling drop-offs page for free e-waste locations. Everything on the published fee list is fair game.
Can I put bulk items out any week?
Yes. Put them out on your regular route day, no special appointment needed. Just note it on your account or email so the fee is correctly recorded.
Recycling
Is recycling included?
Recycling is an optional $3 per month add-on, not included by default. Adding it gets you weekly single-stream recycling pickup on the same route day as your trash.
How much does recycling cost?
$3 per month added to any trash plan. That covers weekly curbside pickup in a dedicated recycling cart.
What can I recycle?
Paper and cardboard, including newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, office paper, envelopes, flattened cardboard boxes, and paperboard like cereal and tissue boxes. Plastics #1 and #2 only — water bottles, milk jugs, detergent bottles, and rigid tubs. Metal including aluminum cans, steel and tin cans, and clean aluminum foil. Glass bottles and jars in any color, rinsed.
What can't I recycle?
Plastic bags and film (take those to a grocery store drop-off), bagged recyclables of any kind, food waste and liquids, greasy pizza boxes, styrofoam and foam packaging, plastics numbered 3 through 7 like clamshells and plastic utensils, shredded paper, "tanglers" like hoses and cords and string lights, electronics and batteries and light bulbs, scrap metal and appliances and tires, diapers and pet waste and medical waste, and any hazardous materials including paint and automotive fluids.
Do I need to sort my recycling?
No. Red Bird Waste uses single-stream recycling, meaning paper, plastic, metal, and glass all go in the same cart together. Sorting happens at the materials recovery facility in Janesville.
Should I bag my recyclables?
No. Bagged recyclables can shut down the entire sorting facility. Everything goes in the recycling cart loose. One household's bagged recycling can contaminate an entire truckload.
Should I flatten cardboard?
Yes. Flatten boxes so they lay flat in the cart. Oversized pieces can be broken down and stacked next to the cart on recycling day.
Do I need to rinse containers?
Yes, but no scrubbing required. Empty, rinse, and let dry — that's the three-word rule. A quick rinse to knock out food residue keeps the whole load from going to the landfill.
Can I recycle pizza boxes?
Only the clean parts. Tear off the greasy bottom (that goes in the trash) and recycle the clean top. Grease contamination ruins paper recyclability.
Can I recycle plastic bags?
Not in the curbside cart — plastic bags jam the sorting equipment. Most grocery stores in southern Wisconsin have a plastic-bag drop-off bin near the entrance.
Can I recycle styrofoam?
No. Foam packaging is not accepted in single-stream recycling. A few specialty drop-off programs exist regionally, but the Janesville facility does not process foam.
Can I recycle shredded paper?
No. Shredded paper is too small for the sorting equipment and ends up as contamination. Put it in the trash, or save it for a community shredding event.
Where does my recycling go?
Your recyclables go to the Waste Management Materials Recovery Facility in Janesville, where they are sorted, baled, and sold to manufacturers. It is the regional single-stream MRF serving southern Wisconsin.
What if I only have a little recycling?
That's fine. Set the cart out whenever it's even partially full and we'll empty whatever's in it on your route day.
Service Area
Do you service my address?
We serve parts of Delavan, Beloit, and Clinton. The easiest way to check is to enter your address on the signup page — if you're in the service area, you'll see your pickup day and price immediately. If you're not, we'll tell you.
What towns do you serve?
Red Bird Waste serves three towns in southern Wisconsin: Delavan, Beloit, and Clinton. Within each, we serve specific municipalities — see below for the exact boundaries.
Do you serve Delavan?
Yes. We service both the City of Delavan and the Town of Delavan, which is the township surrounding the city. Pickup is Tuesday.
Do you serve Beloit?
We serve the Town of Beloit, which is the township surrounding the City of Beloit. We do not service addresses inside the City of Beloit — the city has an exclusive municipal contract that locks out independent haulers. If your address is in the Town of Beloit (unincorporated), we're your service. Pickup is Wednesday.
Do you serve the City of Beloit?
No. The City of Beloit has an exclusive municipal contract that blocks independent residential haulers inside city limits. We serve the Town of Beloit, which surrounds the city. The address checker on our signup page tells you which jurisdiction your address is in.
Do you serve Clinton?
We serve the Town of Clinton, which is the township surrounding the Village of Clinton. We do not service addresses inside the Village of Clinton — the village has municipal service. If your address is in the Town of Clinton (unincorporated), we're your service. Pickup is Thursday.
Do you serve the Village of Clinton?
No. The Village of Clinton has municipal service that excludes independent haulers inside village limits. We serve the Town of Clinton, which surrounds the village. Enter your address on the signup page to see which side of the line you're on.
What's the difference between City of Beloit and Town of Beloit?
The City of Beloit is the incorporated municipality with its own government and an exclusive trash hauling contract. The Town of Beloit is the surrounding unincorporated township, which allows residents to choose their own hauler. Red Bird Waste serves the Town of Beloit but not the City of Beloit.
Do you serve Elkhorn, Walworth, Whitewater, or Janesville?
Not currently. Our three service towns are Delavan, Beloit, and Clinton. We may expand as route density grows — if you're in a nearby southern Wisconsin town and want to be on the list for future expansion, drop us a line.
How do I check if you serve my address?
Go to redbirdwaste.com and enter your address on the signup page. Our system checks your municipality in real time and tells you whether you're in our service area, what day your pickup would be, and what your price would be.
Cart, Cancellation, Vacation & Company
What cart size do I get?
The standard is a 96-gallon cart. Seniors and customers with limited mobility can choose a smaller 65-gallon cart, which is easier to roll.
How do I qualify for the 65-gallon cart?
Self-attestation at signup. There's a checkbox that says "I confirm I am a senior or have limited mobility and qualify for the 65-gallon cart." No ID, no doctor's note — we trust our customers.
What if I want to switch cart sizes?
You can switch anytime. Let us know and we'll swap the cart on your next route day. Adding or dropping recycling takes effect on your next billing cycle.
Who owns the cart?
Red Bird Waste. The cart is provided as part of your service — you don't buy it, and if you cancel we pick it back up.
What if my cart is damaged?
Call or email. Normal wear is on us — we'll replace a cracked or broken cart for free. If a cart is damaged by misuse (like burning trash inside), a replacement fee may apply, but that's rare.
What if my cart is stolen?
Report it right away. We replace it for free on the first incident. Repeat thefts from the same address may come with a replacement fee.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. There are no contracts. Email or call to cancel; we pick up the cart on your next route day and close the account.
Will I get a refund if I cancel?
Partial refunds follow the same proration rule as signup. Cancel between the 1st and the 15th of a month and you get a refund equal to half of your base monthly rate. Cancel on the 16th or later and the current month is not refunded. Annual and quarterly prepayments are prorated the same way.
What if I move within your service area?
Update your address with us and service continues at your new home. If your new address is on a different route day, we'll adjust.
What if I move outside your service area?
Give us a cancellation date and we'll close the account and pick up the cart. No fees, no penalty.
Do you have a referral program?
A referral program launches in month two after public launch. The deal: one free month for every neighbor who signs up. Details on redbirdwaste.com/refer when it's live.
Who owns Red Bird Waste?
Nick Affinito. Red Bird Waste is the residential trash and recycling brand of The Junksters LLC, a local southern Wisconsin hauling company Nick has been running for years. Residential service is the newest expansion — we're building reliable, neighbor-level trash pickup for Delavan, Beloit, and Clinton, starting with 11 existing customers and scaling from there.
Are you insured?
Yes. The Junksters LLC carries full commercial auto and general liability insurance. Proof of insurance is available on request.
How do I contact Red Bird Waste?
Call 262-581-7768 or email hello@redbirdwaste.com. Nick or Allison answers — no call center, no phone tree, no outsourced support. That's the local difference: you're always talking to someone who actually runs the route.
Still have a question?
You'll reach Nick or Allison directly — no call center, no phone tree.