Wisconsin Waste Management Guide 2025

Wisconsin Waste Management Industry Overview

Wisconsin generates approximately 4.8 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, serving a population of 5.9 million residents (1.6 million in Milwaukee metro). The state operates 38 active landfills, 12+ materials recovery facilities (MRFs), robust municipal recycling programs, and specialized agricultural waste infrastructure supporting the dairy industry.

State Waste Laws & Regulations

Wisconsin has some of the nation's most progressive waste management laws with mandatory recycling and comprehensive landfill bans:

• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR): Bureau of Waste and Materials Management regulates facilities, enforces recycling law, tracks diversion, provides grants to municipalities.
• Wisconsin Recycling Law (1995): Mandatory recycling statewide for all residents and businesses. Municipalities must provide curbside collection or convenient drop-off sites. One of first comprehensive state recycling mandates in U.S.
• Landfill Bans: Extensive materials banned from landfills since 1995. Banned items: paper, cardboard, plastic containers, glass, metal cans, appliances, tires, yard waste, lead-acid batteries, major appliances, electronics, oil, antifreeze. Violators face fines. Strongest landfill ban system in Midwest.
• E-Waste Law (2010): Bans TVs, computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, DVDs, VCRs from landfills. Manufacturers must provide free recycling to residents. Retailers cannot sell covered electronics unless manufacturer is DNR-registered.
• Yard Waste Ban: Yard waste banned from landfills since 1993. Must be composted, mulched, or land-spread. Municipalities provide collection or drop-off sites. Reduced landfill volumes significantly.
• 35% Diversion Rate: Wisconsin achieves approximately 35% diversion rate (2023), well above national average of 32%. Madison leads state at 50%+. Strong recycling culture and enforcement drive high participation.
• Great Lakes Protection: As Great Lakes state, Wisconsin emphasizes water quality protection. Strict landfill liner requirements, leachate management, groundwater monitoring protect Lake Michigan, Lake Superior watersheds.

Cost Analysis

Wisconsin waste costs are near national averages, with urban areas (Milwaukee, Madison) 10-20% higher than rural areas. Mandatory recycling spreads infrastructure costs across all customers but reduces overall disposal volumes and environmental impacts.

Regional Cost Factors

• Milwaukee County: $38-$55/month residential. Mix of municipal contracts and private haulers. Milwaukee uses automated cart collection. Recycling mandatory and included. Higher costs reflect urban density, labor rates, infrastructure investment. Strong enforcement of recycling requirements.
• Madison/Dane County: $40-$58/month. City contracts with private haulers. Madison achieves 50%+ diversion rate through aggressive recycling, composting programs. Higher costs reflect comprehensive services and progressive environmental policies. University of Wisconsin sustainability influence.
• Green Bay/Brown County: $34-$48/month. Mix of municipal and private service. Green Bay Packers stadium waste programs set high standards. Strong community recycling culture. Moderate costs reflect efficient operations and regional competition.
• Kenosha/Racine Counties: $35-$50/month. Competitive markets with multiple haulers. Proximity to Illinois border creates pricing competition. Lake Michigan environmental focus drives recycling compliance.
• Fox Valley (Appleton, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac): $32-$46/month. Growing urban corridor. Regional landfills reduce haul distances. Strong manufacturing base creates commercial recycling opportunities.
• Northern Wisconsin (Wausau, Eau Claire, La Crosse): $30-$44/month. Smaller cities with efficient municipal programs. Rural areas served by regional haulers. Lower costs than southeast Wisconsin.
• Rural Counties: $28-$40/month. Local haulers provide competitive service. Mandatory recycling drop-off at county sites supplements limited curbside. Transfer stations serve remote areas.

Winter Weather Impact on Waste Services

Wisconsin's harsh winters significantly affect waste management operations:

• Frozen Waste Challenges: Trash and organics freeze solid in winter. Carts may not tip properly into trucks. Residents advised to break up frozen waste or thaw before collection. Some haulers use hydraulic cart shakers.
• Snow Removal Conflicts: Snow plows bury carts, block access. Residents must clear cart access areas. Collection may be delayed after major storms. Some communities alternate waste/snow plow schedules.
• Road Conditions: Icy roads slow collection routes. Rural roads may be impassable after storms. Haulers add weather delay clauses to contracts.
• Seasonal Yard Waste: Yard waste collection runs spring through fall (typically April-November). Winter suspension reduces unnecessary frozen organic pickups.
• Equipment Challenges: Hydraulic systems, diesel engines require cold-weather maintenance. Increased fuel consumption in winter raises costs.

Major Waste Service Providers

National Haulers

• Waste Management (WM): Largest Wisconsin operator. Serves Milwaukee metro, Madison area, Green Bay, Fox Valley. Owns multiple WI landfills including Hickory Meadows (Walworth County) and Pheasant Run (Kenosha County). Major MRF operations.
• Republic Services: Strong Wisconsin presence. Serves southeastern Wisconsin, Madison region. Operates landfills and transfer stations across state.
• Advanced Disposal (now Republic): Operated extensively in Wisconsin before Republic acquisition. Legacy operations integrated into Republic network.
• GFL Environmental: Expanded Wisconsin operations through acquisitions. Serves residential and commercial customers in multiple regions.

Regional/Local Operators

• Pellitteri Waste Systems: Madison-based family hauler since 1938. Major Dane County operator. Strong recycling focus, community connections. Employee-owned culture.
• Harter's Quick Clean-Up: Waukesha County hauler. Family-owned since 1960s. Serves residential, commercial customers. Known for customer service.
• Veolia (Onyx): International operator with Wisconsin presence. Serves industrial, commercial customers. Specialized waste streams.
• Hometown Disposal: Regional Wisconsin hauler. Serves multiple counties. Roll-off and commercial services.
• Local Family Haulers: Many Wisconsin counties have multi-generational family waste businesses. Strong community ties, personalized service, competitive pricing.

Municipal Services

• Milwaukee Department of Public Works: Contracts with private haulers for city service. Automated cart system. Strong recycling enforcement. (414) 286-2489.
• Madison Streets Division: Manages contracts with Pellitteri and other haulers. Comprehensive recycling, organics programs. (608) 266-4681.
• Green Bay Public Works: City manages waste contracts. (920) 448-3490.

Mandatory Recycling Requirements

What Wisconsin's Recycling Law Requires

Wisconsin Statute 287.11 and NR 544 (DNR administrative code) establish comprehensive recycling mandates:

• Resident Requirements: All Wisconsin residents must separate recyclables from trash. Cannot place banned materials in garbage. Must use provided curbside service or deliver recyclables to drop-off sites.
• Business Requirements: All commercial, industrial, institutional facilities must recycle. Must separate paper, cardboard, containers. Offices, restaurants, schools, factories all covered.
• Municipal Obligations: Municipalities must provide curbside recycling collection OR convenient drop-off sites (within reasonable distance). Must educate residents about recycling requirements. Must report diversion data to DNR annually.
• Hauler Requirements: Waste haulers providing trash collection must offer recycling collection. Cannot refuse recycling service if they provide trash service.

Materials Required to Recycle

• Paper: Newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail, phone books, cardboard, paperboard
• Containers: Plastic bottles/jugs (#1-7), glass bottles/jars, aluminum cans, steel/tin cans
• Appliances: Refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, water heaters, furnaces
• Electronics: TVs, computers, monitors, printers (covered by E-Waste Law)
• Other: Tires, batteries, oil, antifreeze, yard waste

Enforcement & Penalties

• Resident Violations: Haulers may refuse pickup of contaminated trash containing recyclables. Some municipalities issue warnings or citations for repeated violations. Social pressure strong in Wisconsin communities.
• Business Violations: DNR can fine businesses for non-compliance. Fines up to $1,000 per violation. Rarely enforced through fines - education and technical assistance preferred.
• Municipal Violations: DNR can withhold grants from municipalities failing to provide required recycling infrastructure or meet reporting requirements.

Recycling Programs

Curbside Recycling Availability

All Wisconsin municipalities offer recycling - either curbside collection or drop-off sites per state law:

• Milwaukee: Blue cart single-stream recycling. Weekly or bi-weekly collection (varies by hauler/contract). Automated collection. High compliance due to enforcement. Participation ~85%.
• Madison: Blue cart single-stream recycling. Weekly collection. Madison achieves 50%+ diversion rate - highest in state. Aggressive education campaigns, cart tagging for contamination, composting programs drive results.
• Green Bay: Curbside recycling throughout city. Single-stream system. Packers stadium zero-waste initiatives inspire community participation.
• Kenosha/Racine: Blue cart or bin recycling through municipal contracts or private haulers. Strong Great Lakes environmental ethic.
• Smaller Cities: All offer curbside or drop-off per state mandate. Many rural areas use drop-off model due to lower density.

Commonly Accepted Recyclables

• Paper/Cardboard: Newspapers, junk mail, office paper, magazines, cardboard boxes (flattened), paperboard packaging, phone books
• Containers: Plastic bottles/jugs (#1 PETE, #2 HDPE most common - check local program for #3-7), glass bottles/jars, aluminum cans, steel/tin cans, drink cartons
• NOT Accepted in Curbside: Plastic bags (major contamination issue - return to grocery stores), Styrofoam, food waste, electronics (use E-Waste law programs), batteries (use HHW sites), hazardous materials
• Contamination: Wisconsin MRFs struggle with contamination like nationwide. Greasy pizza boxes, bagged recyclables, non-recyclable plastics cause problems. Madison uses cart tagging to educate violators.

Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs)

• Milwaukee MRF: Large single-stream facility processing southeastern Wisconsin recyclables. Optical sorters, conveyor systems separate materials.
• Madison MRF: Processes Dane County recyclables. Advanced sorting technology. Tours available for education.
• Green Bay MRF: Serves Brown County and surrounding areas.
• Regional MRFs: Smaller facilities throughout state process recyclables from rural drop-off sites and smaller municipalities.

Drop-off Recycling Centers

• County Sites: Every Wisconsin county operates recycling drop-off sites per state mandate. Usually at county shops, transfer stations, or standalone recycling centers. Free for residents. Accept full range of recyclables plus HHW, electronics, appliances.
• Rural Model: Low-density rural areas primarily use drop-off model rather than curbside collection. Convenient location requirements ensure reasonable access.
• Appliance Recycling: Most county sites accept appliances. CFC recovery required for refrigerators, air conditioners per federal law.

Agricultural & Dairy Waste Management

Wisconsin is America's Dairyland - dairy and agricultural waste management is critical industry component:

Manure Management

• Volume: Wisconsin's 7,000+ dairy farms generate millions of tons of manure annually. Proper management essential for water quality, air quality, public health.
• Land Spreading: Traditional method applies manure to fields as fertilizer. Replaces synthetic fertilizers, recycles nutrients. DNR regulates spreading rates, timing, setbacks from water bodies.
• Nutrient Management Plans: CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) must develop DNR-approved plans. Specify application rates, timing, soil testing, record-keeping. Prevent nutrient runoff to Great Lakes, Mississippi River watersheds.
• Manure Storage: Farms use lagoons, pits, concrete storage to hold manure until spreading conditions optimal. Cannot spread on frozen ground or before heavy rain (runoff risk).

Anaerobic Digesters

• Technology: Enclosed tanks heat manure, allowing bacteria to break down waste without oxygen. Produces methane-rich biogas and digestate (solid byproduct).
• Energy Production: Biogas burned in generators to produce electricity. Powers farm operations, sells excess to grid. Renewable energy reduces fossil fuel use, generates farm income.
• Environmental Benefits: Reduces methane emissions (potent greenhouse gas). Kills pathogens. Reduces odor. Digestate safer, more stable fertilizer than raw manure.
• Wisconsin Leadership: Wisconsin leads nation in farm-based digesters. State incentives, university research, dairy industry collaboration support adoption. Over 50 operational digesters on farms.
• Co-Digestion: Some digesters accept food waste, brewery waste alongside manure. Boosts biogas production, creates waste disposal revenue, supports circular economy.

Crop Residue & Other Agricultural Waste

• Crop Residue: Corn stalks, wheat straw, soybean stubble left in fields or tilled into soil. Prevents erosion, adds organic matter, recycles nutrients. Some collected for livestock bedding or biomass energy.
• Silage Bags/Plastic: Dairy farms use plastic bags, bale wrap. Specialized recycling programs collect agricultural plastics. Farmers pay for collection, plastics recycled into new products.
• Pesticide Containers: Triple-rinsed containers accepted at agricultural plastic collection events. Proper disposal prevents contamination.

Hazardous Waste Disposal

Major County Programs

• Milwaukee County: Milwaukee Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection at rotating sites and events. Check county website for schedules. (414) 278-4907. Free for residents with ID. Full range of HHW accepted.
• Dane County (Madison): Clean Sweep HHW facility at Rodefeld Landfill, 7102 US Hwy 12 & 18, Madison. Open Sat 8am-4pm year-round (closed holidays). (608) 266-4018. Free for Dane County residents. Accepts paint, chemicals, batteries, electronics, fluorescent bulbs, medications, oil, antifreeze, pesticides, mercury thermometers, propane tanks.
• Brown County (Green Bay): Brown County HHW facility. Open Sat. Free for county residents. (920) 492-4950. Full HHW acceptance.
• Waukesha County: HHW collection facility in Waukesha. Regular hours. (262) 896-8300.
• Other Counties: All 72 Wisconsin counties operate HHW programs - permanent facilities or seasonal collection events. Contact county solid waste department for schedules. Wisconsin's comprehensive county HHW network is among nation's best.

Commonly Accepted HHW Items

• Paint, stain, varnish, lacquer, solvents, thinners, paint stripper
• Household cleaners, drain openers, oven cleaners, ammonia, bleach
• Pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rat poison
• Motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, car batteries, fuel additives
• Fluorescent bulbs, CFLs, mercury thermometers, mercury switches
• Batteries (alkaline, rechargeable, lithium, button cell)
• Electronics, computers, TVs, monitors (E-Waste Law coverage)
• Propane tanks, pool chemicals, acids, bases
• Medications (prescription, over-the-counter) - secure disposal prevents water contamination

Great Lakes Water Quality Protection

• HHW Importance: Wisconsin shares Lake Michigan, Lake Superior coastline. Improper disposal of paint, chemicals, pesticides threatens drinking water for millions. HHW programs critical for Great Lakes protection.
• Medication Take-Back: Pharmaceuticals flushed down toilets contaminate water. Many HHW sites accept medications. Police departments offer drop boxes. Prevents drugs entering Great Lakes watershed.
• Electronics Recycling: Lead, mercury from electronics can leach into groundwater. E-Waste Law ensures proper recycling protects aquifers feeding Great Lakes.

E-Waste & Electronics Recycling

Wisconsin's 2010 E-Waste Law establishes comprehensive electronics recycling system:

E-Waste Law Coverage

• Covered Devices: TVs, computer monitors, laptops, tablets, printers, fax machines, DVD players, VCRs. Banned from landfills and incinerators.
• Manufacturer Responsibility: Manufacturers must register with DNR and provide free collection/recycling for Wisconsin residents. Cannot sell electronics in Wisconsin unless registered.
• Retailer Requirements: Retailers cannot sell covered electronics unless manufacturer is DNR-registered. Some retailers offer take-back at point of sale.
• Resident Rights: Free recycling for households, schools, small businesses (25 or fewer employees). Can return to manufacturers, retailers, or county collection sites.

Where to Recycle Electronics

• County HHW Sites: All Wisconsin counties accept electronics at HHW facilities or collection events. Free for residents. Most convenient option for most residents.
• Manufacturer Take-Back: Dell, HP, Apple, Samsung, LG, Sony, others offer mail-back, drop-off, or trade-in programs per E-Waste Law requirements. Check manufacturer websites.
• Best Buy: Accepts electronics at all Wisconsin stores. Small items (phones, tablets, small TVs) free. $30 haul-away fee for large TVs/appliances with delivery purchase.
• Staples: Accepts smaller electronics free. Limits on quantity per day.
• Goodwill Wisconsin: Accepts working electronics for resale. Non-working items sent for recycling. Supports job training programs.
• Certified Recyclers: Use e-Stewards or R2 certified recyclers for data security and environmentally responsible processing. Certification ensures no export to developing countries, proper toxic material handling.

Data Security

• Before Recycling: Wipe hard drives, remove SIM cards, delete personal data. Factory reset phones, tablets.
• Certified Destruction: Some county HHW sites and certified recyclers offer witnessed hard drive destruction services.

Yard Waste & Organics

Wisconsin's yard waste landfill ban (1993) created robust composting infrastructure:

Yard Waste Collection

• Seasonal Collection: Most cities offer April-November yard waste collection (dates vary by municipality). Set out in paper bags, bundled branches, or loose at curb. No plastic bags allowed (contamination).
• Milwaukee: Seasonal yard waste collection spring-fall. Brush collection in spring. Residents can also deliver to county transfer stations.
• Madison: Year-round yard waste collection in brown carts. Leaves, grass, branches, garden waste accepted. City composts at dedicated facility. Free mulch/compost available to residents.
• Green Bay: Seasonal yard waste pickup. Composting facility processes materials. Mulch available to residents.
• Drop-off Sites: Most counties operate yard waste drop-off sites. Free for residents. Accepted year-round, accommodating fall leaf season and spring cleanup.

Composting Facilities

• Municipal Composting: Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, other cities operate composting facilities. Yard waste ground, composted, screened. Produces high-quality compost and mulch.
• Free Mulch Programs: Many facilities offer free mulch/compost to residents. Popular programs reduce disposal costs, close nutrient loop, support sustainable landscaping.
• Volume Reduction: Composting reduces waste volumes by 40-60% as materials decompose. Significant landfill diversion - yard waste formerly 15-20% of landfill stream.

Backyard Composting

• Education Programs: Wisconsin counties offer backyard composting workshops, discounted bins. Teaches residents to compost kitchen scraps, yard waste at home.
• Benefits: Reduces waste volumes, produces free soil amendment for gardens. Environmentally friendly option for motivated residents.

Bulky Item Collection

Bulky waste programs vary across Wisconsin municipalities:

• Milwaukee: Bulky item collection available. Schedule pickup through hauler or city contract. Items include furniture, appliances, mattresses. Fees vary by hauler.
• Madison: Bulky waste pickup through contracted haulers. Call for scheduling and pricing. (608) 266-4681.
• Green Bay: Bulky item pickup available. Contact city or hauler for scheduling.
• Transfer Station Drop-off: Most counties accept bulky items at transfer stations or recycling centers. May charge tipping fees by weight or item. Often most convenient option for large items.
• Appliance Collection: Appliances banned from landfills per recycling law. Free or low-cost collection at county sites. CFC recovery required for refrigerators, AC units.

Commercial Waste Services

Mandatory Commercial Recycling

• Statewide Requirement: All Wisconsin businesses, institutions, industries must recycle per state law. Must separate paper, cardboard, containers, appliances, other banned materials.
• What Businesses Must Recycle: All materials banned from landfills - paper, cardboard, containers, metals, appliances, electronics, batteries, oil. Essentially same as residential requirements.
• Service Requirements: Businesses must contract for recycling collection or deliver recyclables to drop-off sites. Haulers providing trash service must offer recycling.
• Enforcement: DNR can inspect businesses for compliance. Violations can result in fines up to $1,000. Enforcement primarily through education and technical assistance rather than fines.

Commercial Service Costs

• 2-yard Bin: $145-$300/month (1-2x/week service)
• 4-yard Bin: $270-$500/month (2-3x/week service)
• 6-yard Bin: $380-$700/month (3-5x/week service)
• 8-yard Bin: $500-$920/month (3-6x/week service)
• Compactor Service: $750-$2,000/month depending on size and frequency
• Recycling: Often 25-40% lower than trash rates to incentivize diversion and comply with state law

Industry-Specific Waste

• Dairy Processing: Whey, wastewater, packaging waste. Some whey fed to livestock or sent to digesters. Cardboard, plastic recycling required.
• Brewing Industry: Wisconsin's strong brewing tradition (Miller, Pabst, craft breweries) generates spent grain (fed to cattle), packaging waste, wastewater. High recycling rates in industry.
• Paper Mills: Wisconsin's historic paper industry recycles extensively. Mills use recycled paper as feedstock, practice closed-loop water systems.
• Manufacturing: Industrial recycling of metals, plastics, wood. Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership helps businesses improve waste efficiency.

Construction & Demolition (C&D) Debris

• No State C&D Mandate: Wisconsin recycling law covers some C&D materials (metals, cardboard) but does not require comprehensive C&D diversion percentages.
• Voluntary Diversion: Green building projects, LEED certification, progressive contractors recycle concrete, metals, wood for cost savings and sustainability.
• Materials Recovered: Concrete crushed for road base/aggregate (high recovery rate). Metals scrapped (high value drives recovery). Wood chipped for mulch, boiler fuel, or landfilled. Drywall, asphalt roofing mixed results.
• Disposal Costs: $40-$70/ton at C&D landfills vs. $50-$90/ton at MSW landfills. Recycling often cost-neutral or cheaper due to avoided disposal fees and material sale value.
• Facilities: Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay have C&D processing and disposal facilities accepting contractor loads.

Finding Local Services

How to Identify Your Provider

• Milwaukee: Check if address receives city-contracted service or private hauler. Visit Milwaukee.gov or call (414) 286-2489 for information.
• Madison: City contracts with haulers (Pellitteri, others) by district. Visit CityofMadison.com/streets or call (608) 266-4681.
• Other Cities: Contact city hall, public works, or clerk's office to identify franchised haulers or competitive market status.
• Rural Areas: Typically competitive markets - choose from multiple haulers. Ask neighbors for recommendations, compare pricing and service quality.
• Recycling Requirement: Regardless of location, all Wisconsin residents must recycle per state law. Hauler must offer recycling service if they provide trash collection.

Service Complaints

• Municipal Services: Contact city public works for missed pickups, damaged property. Milwaukee: (414) 286-2489. Madison: (608) 266-4681.
• Private Haulers: Contact hauler customer service first. If franchised provider, file complaint with city/county for unresolved issues.
• DNR Enforcement: Report illegal dumping, unpermitted facilities, environmental violations, recycling law violations via (888) 936-7463 or DNR.Wisconsin.gov/topic/waste
• Recycling Violations: If hauler refuses to provide recycling service or municipality lacks required infrastructure, contact DNR Bureau of Waste and Materials Management.

Key Resources

• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR): Bureau of Waste and Materials Management. DNR.Wisconsin.gov/topic/waste | (888) 936-7463 | Recycling law info, county HHW programs, E-Waste law details
• Milwaukee Department of Public Works: Milwaukee.gov | (414) 286-2489
• Madison Streets Division: CityofMadison.com/streets | (608) 266-4681
• Green Bay Public Works: GreenBayWI.gov | (920) 448-3490
• Wisconsin Counties Association: WI-Counties.org - Links to all 72 county solid waste/recycling programs
• UW-Extension Solid Waste Education: University of Wisconsin Extension offers composting workshops, waste reduction education, technical assistance to communities
• Keep Wisconsin Beautiful: Litter prevention, community beautification, recycling education. KeepWisconsinBeautiful.com

Get Waste Service Quotes

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