Waukesha County, WI Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Materials to separate
- 15 categories including batteries, appliances, oil, containers
- Applies to
- Single-family, 2-4 unit, multifamily, nonresidential properties
- Opt-out
- Municipalities with their own responsible-unit status exempt
- Penalty
- $50 first, $100 second, up to $500 later
- Adopted
- Ordinance No. 149-91, December 13, 1994
- Enforcing agency
- Waukesha County, Chapter 14, Article IV
Summary
Waukesha County requires occupants of single-family homes, two-to-four unit residences, multifamily buildings and non-residential properties to separate fifteen categories of recyclables, from lead-acid batteries to newspaper, from their trash. Section 14-260 lists the exact materials, and the county administers the program as the state-designated responsible unit.
Separation requirements. Occupants of single-family residences, two (2) to four (4) unit residences, multiple-family dwellings and non-residential facilities and properties shall separate the following materials from postconsumer waste for recycling: 1. Lead acid batteries; 2. Major appliances; 3. Waste oil; 4. Yard waste; 5. Aluminum containers; 6. Bi-metal containers; 7. Corrugated paper or other container board; 8. Foam polystyrene packaging; 9. Glass containers; 10. Magazines; 11. Newspaper; 12. Office paper; 13. Rigid plastic containers made of PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, and other resins or multiple resins; 14. Steel containers; 15. Waste tires.
Full Breakdown
Section 14-260 of the Waukesha County Code requires occupants of single-family residences, two- to four-unit residences, multiple-family dwellings and non-residential facilities to separate fifteen specific materials from postconsumer waste for recycling: lead acid batteries, major appliances, waste oil, yard waste, aluminum containers, bi-metal containers, corrugated paper, foam polystyrene packaging, glass containers, magazines, newspaper, office paper, rigid plastic containers (PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS and other resins), steel containers, and waste tires. The article only binds towns, villages and cities for which Waukesha County itself is the "responsible unit" under Wis.
09(1); Section 14-257 exempts any municipality that retains its own responsible-unit status, and lets a member municipality voluntarily adopt the article as its own. Section 14-261 exempts waste sent to a DNR-licensed processing facility that recovers the same materials in as pure a form as technically feasible, waste burned as supplemental fuel supplying under 30 percent of a facility's heat input, and any material covered by a DNR variance. Section 14-262 requires separated materials to be kept clean of food residue, oil, grease and household hazardous waste, and protected from wind and rain until collection.
Section 14-267 then bars anyone from landfilling or burning separated recyclables, except that waste tires may be burned with energy recovery. Section 14-269 gives county staff inspection authority over recycling sites, vehicles and collection areas, and lets the county issue citations conforming to Wis. 0113(1). The article originates from Ordinance No. 149-91, adopted December 13, 1994.
Violations & Fines
Failing to separate the fifteen materials listed in Section 14-260, or disposing of already-separated recyclables under Section 14-267, is enforced under Section 14-269: a forfeiture of not less than $50 for a first violation, not less than $100 for a second, and up to $500 for each subsequent violation, issued as a citation under Wis. Stat. § 66.0113(1).
Frequently Asked Questions
What must I recycle in unincorporated Waukesha County?
Does this recycling rule apply in every Waukesha County town?
What's the fine for not separating recyclables?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukesha County
Compare Waukesha County to another location·View the Wisconsin trash & recycling overview
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