De Pere, WI Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Section 82-7(b), part of chapter 82's solid waste and recycling ordinance, makes it unlawful for 'any patron or person' to deposit, throw, place or leave solid waste 'upon any street, court, lane, alley, business, public enclosure, vacant lot, house, yard, body of water or any other place' outside the locations the chapter designates for collection. That sweeps in the Fox River and every public right-of-way in the city, not just curbside. The same subsection separately bars removing solid waste from private property without the consent of the occupant, owner or lessee, and bars anyone from taking solid waste that has already been set out for the city's collection.

Subsection (a) gives the street superintendent authority to direct how and where already-collected solid waste must be disposed of, and flatly prohibits burying solid waste on any premises in the city or burning it outdoors at any time within city limits. Subsection (c) adds that no one may upset, break open or remove the cover of a bag, container or polycart that has been placed for collection, except at the street superintendent's direction, closing off after-hours scavenging of set-out carts.

Enforcement runs through section 82-10(b): any violation of chapter 82, including the dumping ban, is enforceable by municipal citation, with the forfeiture amount set by resolution of the common council rather than fixed in the ordinance text. Each 24-hour period the violation, disobedience or refusal to comply continues counts as a separate offense, so a dumped pile left in place accrues additional exposure day by day until it is removed.