Plastic Bag Rules: Milwaukee vs West Allis
How do plastic bag rules rules compare between Milwaukee, WI and West Allis, WI?
Milwaukee has fewer restrictions than West Allis.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee County
Milwaukee cannot enforce a plastic bag ban or fee. Wis. Stat. § 66.0419 bars any 'political subdivision' from enacting an ordinance regulating, prohibiting, or fee-charging the use, disposition, or sale of auxiliary containers. The statute carves out only a city's own property.
View full Milwaukee rules →West Allis, WI
Milwaukee County
Wisconsin Statute 66.0419, enacted by 2015 Act 17, preempts cities, villages, towns, and counties from regulating, banning, or imposing fees on auxiliary containers including plastic bags, cups, and bottles.
View full West Allis rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Milwaukee | West Allis |
|---|---|---|
| Local Ordinance | None — Wisconsin preempts | - |
| Preemption Statute | Wis. Stat. § 66.0419 | - |
| Enacted | 2015 Wis. Act 302 | - |
| Carve-Out | City may regulate on city-owned property | - |
| Curbside Status | Bags NOT accepted in recycling carts | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Milwaukee FAQ
Does Milwaukee have a plastic bag ban?
No. Milwaukee has no plastic bag ban or fee. Wis. Stat. § 66.0419 (2015 Wis. Act 302) preempts every Wisconsin political subdivision from regulating auxiliary containers, except on city-owned property.
Can Milwaukee ban plastic bags at city facilities?
Yes, under the § 66.0419(3)(b) carve-out for city-owned property. The city could ban single-use plastics at city parks, the Henry Maier Festival Park (Summerfest grounds), or in city vendor contracts. It cannot extend rules to private retailers.
Where can I recycle plastic bags in Milwaukee?
At plastic-film drop-off bins at Pick 'n Save, Walmart, Target, and Meijer front entrances. The Milwaukee Self-Help Centers on Lincoln, Mitchell, and West Mill Road accept many materials, but plastic bags do NOT belong in the curbside recycling cart.
West Allis FAQ
Compare other topics
See how Milwaukee and West Allis compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool