Wauwatosa, WI Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Materials requiring separation
- 15 categories, Sec. 8.25.100(A)-(O)
- Scavenging first-violation fine
- $250 forfeiture
- Scavenging repeat-violation fine
- $500 forfeiture
- Illegal disposal, 3rd violation
- $2,000 forfeiture
- State authority cited
- Wis. Stat. § 287.11(2)(b)
- Latest amendment
- Ord. O-26-003, 3/24/2026
Summary
Every household and business in Wauwatosa must separate fifteen categories of recyclables, from yard materials and scrap tires to aluminum cans and rigid plastics, out of the regular trash. Municipal Code Section 8.25.100 lists them; scavenging recyclables set out at the curb is a separate, penalized offense.
Occupants of single-family and two- to four-unit residences, multiple-family dwellings and nonresidential facilities and properties shall separate for recycling the following materials from postconsumer waste. ... A. Yard materials; B. Major appliances; C. Waste oil; D. Lead acid and all other vehicle batteries; E. Scrap tires; F. Foam polystyrene packaging; G. Aluminum containers; H. Bi-metal containers; I. Corrugated paper and other container board; J. Glass containers; K. Magazines; L. Newspaper; M. Office paper; N. Rigid plastic containers made of PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, and other resins or multiple resins; and O. Steel containers. ... It is unlawful for any person, unless under contract with or licensed by the municipality or state, to collect or remove any recyclable material that has been deposited or placed at the curb for recycling, or placed in a recycling container adjacent to a home, multiple-family dwelling, or nonresidential building, including city drop-off center containers.
Full Breakdown
01 and most recently amended by Ord. 100: yard materials, major appliances, waste oil, lead acid and other vehicle batteries, scrap tires, foam polystyrene packaging, aluminum containers, bi-metal containers, corrugated paper and container board, glass containers, magazines, newspaper, office paper, rigid plastic containers (PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS and other resins), and steel containers. 110 exempts waste sent to a DNR-licensed processing facility that recovers these materials, waste burned as under-30-percent supplemental fuel, and materials with a DNR variance. 120 requires separated recyclables to be kept free of food or product residue, oil, grease and hazardous-waste containers, and bars putting recyclables in plastic bags for curbside collection.
180 makes them city or hauler property and makes it unlawful for anyone not under contract with or licensed by the municipality or state to collect or remove them, a scavenging prohibition enforced separately from the ordinary separation duty. 220 further bars disposing of or burning any separated recyclable in a solid waste facility, except waste tires may be burned with energy recovery.
Violations & Fines
Under the fee and penalty table in Section 8.25.250, illegal scavenging of curbside or drop-off recyclables under Section 8.25.180 carries a $250 forfeiture for a first violation and $500 for a second and each subsequent violation. Illegally disposing of separated recyclables in violation of Section 8.25.220 carries a $50 first-violation forfeiture, $200 for a second violation, and $2,000 for a third and each subsequent violation. Any other violation of the chapter not separately scheduled carries $50 for a first violation and $100 for a second and subsequent violations, and the city may also discontinue collection service until fees and penalties are paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials does Wauwatosa require residents to recycle?
Can someone else take recyclables out of my recycling cart at the curb?
Is anyone exempt from separating recyclables?
What if I throw separated recyclables in the regular trash instead?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wauwatosa
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