Green Bay, WI Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Section 32-2(b) makes recycling mandatory for residential properties up to and including six dwelling units: co-mingled containers and paper are collected every two weeks, in a City-purchased recycling cart set out separately from trash on the regular collection day, with no limit on the number of carts per residence. Section 32-2(d)(1) lists 17 materials that must be separated from trash citywide, including lead-acid batteries, major appliances, waste oil, yard waste, aluminum and bi-metal containers, corrugated paper, foam polystyrene packaging, glass, magazines, newspapers, office paper, rigid PETE/HDPE and other rigid plastics, steel containers, tires, and electronic waste.

That separation duty is waived only if the waste goes to a DNR-licensed processing facility that recovers the same materials, if it is burned as supplemental fuel supplying less than 30 percent of a facility's heat input, or if the DNR has granted a variance under Wis. 11(2m). The City does not collect recycling at all from buildings of seven or more units (§ 32-2(e)) or from any nonresidential facility (§ 32-2(f)); those owners must instead notify tenants or users in writing at move-in and at least twice a year, supply separate recycling containers, and arrange for a hauler to deliver the banned materials listed in Wis. ch. 287 to a recycling facility themselves.