Trash & Recycling in Milwaukee County, WI (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Recycling Requirements
Wisconsin's statewide recycling law, Wis. Stat. § 287.07, bans landfilling or burning aluminum, glass, plastic and steel containers, paper, and cardboard. Municipalities, not Milwaukee County, are the designated “responsible units” that run recycling programs.
Milwaukee County Recycling Follows Wis. Stat. § 287.07
Heavy RestrictionsWis. Stat. § 287.07(4)
Beginning on January 1, 1995, no person may dispose of in a solid waste disposal facility, convert into fuel, or burn at a solid waste treatment facility in this state any of the following: [aluminum, corrugated paper, foam polystyrene, glass, magazines, newspaper, office paper, plastic and steel containers].
Illegal Dumping
Wisconsin's littering statute, Wis. Stat. § 287.81, bans depositing solid waste on any public or private property, with forfeitures up to $500 (up to $1,000 for large items). Milwaukee County enforces dumping on its parks and land; municipalities enforce elsewhere.
Milwaukee County Illegal Dumping Banned Under § 287.81
Heavy RestrictionsWis. Stat. § 287.81
No person may deposit or discharge any solid waste on or along any highway, in any waters of the state, on the ice of any waters of the state or on any other public or private property.
Trash & Recycling by City in Milwaukee County
3 cities in Milwaukee County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Milwaukee County ordinances
See every category we cover for Milwaukee County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Milwaukee County Ordinance Hub →