Waukesha, WI Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Section 13.055(2), Provision of Collection Services, states that the City shall provide Solid Waste or Recyclables collection services to all Dwelling Units located on Eligible Properties, and just as firmly bars the City from serving properties that fall outside the Eligible Property definition; those owners must dispose of their Solid Waste and Recyclables in compliance with all applicable laws, at their sole expense.

Eligibility itself runs through subsection (1)(f): the parcel must be used exclusively for residential purposes, hold no more than 4 Dwelling Units, front a public street or alley for curb access, carry no covenant barring City service, and, on a shared driveway, not exceed 8 total Dwelling Units served. Subsection (1)(g) then defines what the recycling half of the program actually accepts: household waste accepted by the Waukesha County recycling program and listed in the county's current recycling guidelines, meaning Waukesha's own program tracks county-wide material eligibility rather than setting its own separate list.

Recyclables Carts are supplied by the City at no charge on initial delivery under subsection (7)(g), remain City property under subsection (7)(h), and stay assigned to the Eligible Property regardless of a change in ownership or occupancy under subsection (7)(i). The Department may also, in its sole discretion under subsection (1)(e), extend or deny eligibility on individual properties based on site-specific access or safety factors.