Waukesha County, WI Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Waukesha County Code § 14-264(a)-(b)
- Covered municipalities
- Towns where county is the "responsible unit"
- Population trigger
- 5,000+ residents without own trash service
- First violation forfeiture
- $50 minimum (Sec. 14-269(d))
- Repeat violation forfeiture
- Up to $500 per day
Summary
Waukesha County Code Sec. 14-264 requires each member municipality, meaning a town for which the county is the state-designated "responsible unit" under Wis. Stat. 287.09(1), to either collect designated recyclables itself or make its licensed hauler collect them from every single-family home and two-to-four-unit residence, separate from any trash pickup.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), and unless otherwise directed in writing by Waukesha County or unless granted a variance by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, a member municipality shall: 1. Collect materials listed in section 14-260(5) through (15) from single-family residences and two- to four-unit residences, and do so in a manner consistent with this article; or 2. Require haulers to collect materials listed in section 14-260(5) through (15) from single family residences and two- to four-unit residences, and to do so in a manner consistent with this article. (b) Unless otherwise directed in writing by Waukesha County or unless granted a variance by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, a member municipality with a population of five thousand (5,000) or greater which does not collect solid waste or contract for residential solid waste collection and disposal in that municipality shall provide collection service for materials listed under section 14-260(5) through (15) in a manner consistent with this article.
Full Breakdown
The obligation sits in Article IV, Division 1 of Chapter 14, the county's Recycling ordinance adopted under Wis. Stat. 11 and NR 544 Wis. Admin. Code. " For a covered town, Sec. 14-264(a) gives the municipality two paths: collect the recyclables listed at Sec. 14-260(5) through (15) directly, or require its licensed hauler to do so, for every single-family home and two-to-four-unit residence. Sec. 14-264(b) closes a gap for larger municipalities: any member municipality with 5,000 or more residents that does not already run or contract for residential solid waste collection must still provide the recycling collection service.
The county can override either duty in writing, and the Wisconsin DNR can grant a variance. The regulated materials include lead acid batteries, major appliances, waste oil, yard waste, aluminum and bi-metal containers, corrugated paper, foam polystyrene packaging, glass, magazines, newspaper, office paper, PETE/HDPE/PVC/LDPE/PP/PS rigid plastic containers, steel containers and waste tires (Sec. 14-260). Multi-family buildings and non-residential properties fall under separate owner duties in Sec. 14-265 and 14-266 rather than this municipal mandate.
Violations & Fines
Waukesha County administers and enforces this article (Sec. 14-258) and may inspect collection vehicles, storage areas and hauler records without notice (Sec. 14-269(a)). A citation carries a forfeiture of at least $50 for a first violation, at least $100 for a second, and up to $500 for each later violation, with every day of noncompliance charged as a separate offense (Sec. 14-269(d)). The county may also seek an injunction alongside a citation (Sec. 14-269(g)-(h)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Town of Waukesha or Town of Genesee address get this recycling service automatically?
What has to be recycled under this rule?
Can a hauler skip recycling pickup and only take trash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukesha County
Compare Waukesha County to another location·View the Wisconsin trash & recycling overview
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