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Milwaukee County, WI Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

State law
Wis. Stat. § 287.07 / NR 544
Landfill ban since
January 1, 1995
Responsible unit
City/village, not county
Milwaukee collector
DPW Sanitation Division

Summary

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.

City-specific rules exist: Wauwatosa, and Milwaukee have their own recycling requirements rules that differ from Milwaukee County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

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].

View official code

Full Breakdown

Recycling in Milwaukee County is governed by Wisconsin's statewide recycling law, Wis. Stat. § 287.07, and DNR rule NR 544, which since January 1, 1995 have banned disposing of specified recyclables in a landfill, converting them to fuel, or burning them without energy recovery. Banned materials include aluminum, glass, steel and plastic containers, corrugated cardboard, newspaper, magazines, office paper, foam polystyrene, plus lead-acid batteries, major appliances, waste oil, yard waste, tires, and electronics. State law designates a “responsible unit” to run the local program. In Milwaukee County that role falls to the individual cities and villages (the City of Milwaukee through its DPW Sanitation Division); the county is not the responsible unit for curbside recycling.

Violations & Fines

Recycling is enforced by the responsible-unit municipality and the Wisconsin DNR. Placing banned recyclables in the trash violates § 287.07; municipalities may reject contaminated carts and cite repeat offenders, and the state can levy forfeitures under § 287.95.

Frequently Asked Questions

What must be recycled in Milwaukee County?
Under Wis. Stat. § 287.07, aluminum, glass, plastic and steel containers, cardboard, newspaper, magazines, and office paper are banned from the landfill and must be recycled. Your city or village provides collection.
Is Milwaukee County the recycling authority?
No. State law makes the “responsible unit” for recycling a municipality in Milwaukee County. Cities and villages run the programs; the county does not provide curbside recycling.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Milwaukee County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingHeavy RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesHeavy RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions

All Milwaukee County rules

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Recycling Requirements in Cities Across Milwaukee County

Milwaukee, WIWauwatosa, WIWest Allis, WI