Trash & Recycling in Kenosha, WI (2026)
7 verified trash & recycling rules for Kenosha, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Bin Placement Rules
Kenosha's automated waste and recycling carts must go out in the street right-of-way between the sidewalk and curb, wheels facing the house, at least three feet from any obstruction and three feet apart from each other. Section 5.06(G) sets those placement rules along with a 6:00 a.m. set-out deadline and an 8:00 a.m. pickup-day removal deadline.
Kenosha Waste Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsKenosha, WI Code of General Ordinances § 5.06(G)(1)(b),(c)(4),(d)
b.Location. All Waste and Recyclable Material must be deposited for curbside collection on the day designated for collection in the area of the street right-of-way between the sidewalk and curb abutting the premises served. The Automated Carts must be made available to the City collection crews by being placed in an unobstructed location. Automated Carts must be placed a minimum of three (3) fe...
Bulk Item Disposal
Large items that do not fit inside a Kenosha waste cart, like mattresses, appliances or furniture, go out only through a prearranged Special Pickup under Sec. 5.06(J). Each residential address gets four free Special Pickups a year, major appliances need a Special Collection Sticker, and everything must wait at curbside until pickup is scheduled.
Kenosha Bulky Item Special Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsKenosha, WI Code of General Ordinances § 5.06(A) def. 'Bulky Solid Waste', § 5.06(J)(1)-(3)
Bulky Solid Waste means Waste and Recyclable Material that cannot be contained entirely within an Automated Cart, including, but not limited to, antennae, beds, bicycles, box springs, cabinets, chairs, couches, doors, dressers, fencing, grills, gutters, lawn mowers, Major Appliances, mattresses, pools, rugs, screens, sinks, stereos, swing sets, television components, tables, toilets, large toy ...
Recycling Requirements
Kenosha requires occupants of single-family and small residential buildings to separate aluminum, glass, paper, rigid plastics, electronics, and other recyclables from trash under City Code Section 5.119. Materials go loosely, never bagged, into the blue Curbside Recycling Automated Cart and must be set out between 6:30 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. on the collection day.
Kenosha Curbside Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsKenosha Code of Gen. Ordinances § 5.119(I), (K); § 5.12
I.Separation of Recyclable Materials. Occupants of single family and two (2) to four (4) family residential units, Multiple Family Dwellings and Nonresidential Facilities and Properties must separate the following materials from Post-Consumer Waste: Aluminum Containers; Bimetal Containers; Clean Concrete; Corrugated Paper or other Container Board; Electronics; Lead Acid Batteries; Magazines; Ma...
Illegal Dumping
Kenosha treats illegal dumping as disorderly conduct: Section 11.02.U bars throwing, placing or depositing debris, rubbish, grass clippings or waste on private property without the owner's consent, or on streets, alleys, sidewalks, parks, beaches, or into any pond, stream, river or lake. The Kenosha Police Department enforces the ban, and violators face the Chapter XI penalty of up to a $1,000 forfeiture.
Kenosha Illegal Dumping and Littering Ban
Some RestrictionsKenosha Code of General Ordinances § 11.02.U
U.Littering. Throw, place or deposit any paper, glass, bottle, cans, containers, grass clippings, rubbish, waste, filth or other debris upon private property without consent of the owner or occupant, or upon the streets, alleys, highways, sidewalks, parks, or beaches, or into any pond, stream, river or lake.
Yard Waste Collection
Kenosha collects yard waste, leaves, grass clippings and garden debris, curbside for six weeks each spring and eight weeks each fall under Sec. 5.119(L)(4). Bags must be City-approved biodegradable bags set out between 6:30 p.m. the night before and 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled day; outside those windows, residents haul yard waste to the drop-off facility themselves.
Kenosha Yard Waste Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsKenosha, WI Code of General Ordinances § 5.119(H), (L)(4)(a)-(c)
Yard Waste means leaves, grass clippings, yard and garden debris. ... 4.Yard Waste must be taken to the Yard Waste Drop off Facility. For six (6) weeks in the Spring and eight (8) weeks in the Fall, Yard Waste will be collected curbside under the following regulations:a.Standards for Curbside Collection. Curbside Yard Waste collection will be collected six (6) weeks in the Spring and eight (8) ...
Dumpster Rules
Placing a construction or demolition dumpster in a Kenosha street requires a Street Opening/Occupying Permit from Public Works, liability insurance, and compliance with curb, hydrant, and traffic-lane setbacks under Section 9.14.
Kenosha Street Dumpster Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsCity of Kenosha Code of General Ordinances § 9.14
9.14. - Street Occupancy for Dumpsters.A.General Provisions.1.Street Opening/Occupying Permits for Temporary Placement of Dumpsters. Street Opening/Occupying Permits issued by the Department of Public Works may be approved only for the temporary placement of dumpsters used during the course of demolition or construction... C.Permit Conditions...3.Obstruction of Fire Hydrant/Railway Track/Traffi...
Collection Schedule
The City of Kenosha collects residential waste once a week and recycling once every two weeks from every building of four units or fewer, under Sec. 5.06(G)(1)(a). Collecting or hauling someone else's waste off the street without a City license is illegal, and the Department of Public Works sets the actual schedule by area.
Kenosha Curbside Collection Schedule
Some RestrictionsKenosha, WI Code of General Ordinances § 5.06(G)(1)(a), (C), (I)(1)
a.Schedule. The collection of Waste will be once weekly and the collection of Recycling will be once every two (2) weeks from every residential building comprised of four (4) or fewer living units in the City under schedules to be determined by the Department of Public Works. ... C.Transportation of Waste Regulated. It is illegal for any Person, except an employee or agent of the City, to colle...
Looking for Kenosha County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kenosha city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Kenosha County →