Wisconsin
What can and can’t you recycle in Wisconsin? Here are the rules to know
Volunteers clean up the streets and pray during community prayer walk
About 30 volunteers picked up trash and gathered in prayer during a walk launched from Kosciuszko Park in Milwaukee’s Lincoln Village neighborhood.
The average Wisconsin resident generates nearly 5 pounds of trash every day, but recycles less than 2 pounds of that trash, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.
A survey conducted by the department looked at the top barriers to recycling in the state, with 39% of respondents saying it’s easier to throw recyclables in the trash, 35% saying they sometimes forget to recycle and 28% saying they’re not always sure which materials are recyclable.
Here’s a guide to what you can and can’t recycle in Wisconsin, and what to do with certain items that can be recycled – just not at home.
What can you recycle at home in Wisconsin?
Many household recyclable materials can simply be placed in your personal recycling bin. If you’re ever unsure, contact your local waste handler or refer to the state Department of Natural Resources guide.
Here are some of the most common household recyclable materials:
- Aluminum containers
- Combination metal containers (steel and aluminum)
- Flattened corrugated cardboard or other container cardboard
- Glass containers, bottles
- Magazines or similar paper products
- Newspapers and materials printed on newsprint
- Office paper
- Plastic containers labeled as plastics #1 and #2 – milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles, soda and water bottles, etc.
- Steel containers
What recyclable materials need a special drop-off in Wisconsin
There are other household items that are technically recyclable, but should not be thrown in your home recycling bin. Specific drop-off facilities for such items are available across the state.
- Electronics: E-waste recyclers can be found online at dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Ecycle/Electronics.
- Car batteries: Return to an automotive retailer. Free service charge if purchasing a new battery under the same retailer.
- Large appliances: Resale stores, appliance stores, some municipalities, private waste companies and scrapyards usually accept large appliances.
- Oil filters and waste oil: Auto repair service shops sometimes take used oil filters. Otherwise, check with local recycling facilities for site-specific rules.
- Car tires: Recycle at a licensed tire processing facility or a local government tire recycling program.
- Yard waste: There are registered yard waste sites in Wisconsin for proper disposal. Composting is also a common at-home alternative.
- Loose plastic bags, film: Send to a drop-off site. Loose plastic material placed in at-home bins can get tangled in recycling machinery.
What can’t you recycle at home in Wisconsin?
There are some items you may think are recyclable that simply are not, including some materials that can be hazardous for recycling facility staff or harmful to recycling machinery.
- Light bulbs: Some bulbs contain harmful chemicals. There are no legal stipulations against trashing household-only bulbs. Bulbs that contain mercury are harmful to the environment and some counties have their own restrictions for disposal.
- Batteries: Consumer batteries should be trashed. Materials inside batteries are a fire risk for recyclers. Larger batteries can be dropped off at recycling sites.
- Cords, wires and lights: Check with an electronics recycler or drop-off site. Some scrap collectors take wires. Otherwise, throw them away in the trash.
- Hoses and ropes: Trash. Recycled ropes can get tangled and disrupt recycling equipment.
- Fishing line: Similar to ropes, fishing lines can get tangled in recycling equipment. Many boat landings have their own fishing line disposal areas. If that isn’t an option, put the fishing line in a bag and then trash it so it does not easily blow away.
- Needles and sharps: It is illegal to put sharp medical waste in the trash or recycling. However, registered collectors and many medical facilities will accept sharps.
- Propane tanks: Tanks, empty or full, can explode from tank pressure and residual fuel. Swap propane tanks with a distributor or check if a local scrap collector will accept them.
- Textiles: Like ropes, textiles can get wrapped up in equipment and disrupt machinery. Many nonprofits accept textiles for recycling or reuse.
WPR is deeply saddened by the death of Jon Miskowski, PBS Wisconsin’s Emeritus Director of Television, who retired May 1. Jon died Saturday, May 9, at home surrounded by his family following a long battle with cancer. Read Jon’s obituary online here.
Starting as a volunteer for public television more than 40 years ago, Jon’s career was marked by his dedication and passion for public media to improve the lives of all of the people of Wisconsin.
Read more about Jon and his career in public media at pbswisconsin.org.
PBS Wisconsin has invited anyone with memories of Jon to share them via email at comments@pbswisconsin.org. PBS Wisconsin will share memories across digital and broadcast channels as we carry on his legacy of providing essential public media services to this state that he loved.
Jon’s family requests that anyone wishing to make a memorial gift in Jon’s memory consider supporting the work to which he dedicated his professional life. Gifts in Jon’s memory can be made online here.
WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – The Wausau West girls’ soccer team put on a defensive clinic on Tuesday, beating Wisconsin Rapids 1-0 to add another conference win.
The Warriors snagged the game’s only goal in the first half, thanks to Maddy Weller.
From there, the Warriors managaed to control posession and keep the Red Raiders out of the net.
The win moves West to 4-0-1 in the Valley, With SPASH’s draw against Everest on Tuesday, the two teams are now tied for first in conference. Rapids is now 1-3-2 in the Valley
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Copyright 2026 WSAW. All rights reserved.
The University of Wisconsin has officially turned the page, formally launching a national search for its next Director of Athletics.
In a move that signals a coordinated transition of power, the search is being led by incoming Interim Chancellor Eric Wilcots. Outgoing Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, whose tenure concludes on May 16, requested Wilcots take the lead to ensure the new AD and the university’s leadership are perfectly aligned from day one.
“Wisconsin Athletics plays a vital role in the life of our campus and our community; its success matters,” says Wilcots. “The director of athletics will lead us into a new era of Wisconsin Athletics during a transformational time in college athletics.”
The Committee
To find the right fit, Wilcots has assembled a nine-member advisory committee that reads like a “Who’s Who” of Wisconsin sports history and professional excellence. The committee is chaired by Lauren Bishop, a former Duke rower and current UW associate professor who serves as a Faculty Athletics Representative to the Big Ten.
The press release revealed the committee members, which features several names that should be familiar to the Wisconsin fanbase:
- Chris Ballard: Current Indianapolis Colts General Manager and former Badger football player (Class of ’93).
- Rob Cramer: UW–Madison’s Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration and a 1992 alumnus.
- Meghan Duggan: Director of Player Development for the New Jersey Devils and legendary former Badger women’s hockey star (Class of ’11).
- Michael Finley: Dallas Mavericks executive and iconic Badger men’s basketball alumnus (Class of ’14).
- Elzie Higginbottom: President of East Lake Management, 1965 track and field alumnus, and member of the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association Board.
- Marija Pientka: Wisconsin’s Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Administration and former Badger tennis player (Class of ’95).
- Michael Shannon: Co-Founder of KSL Capital Partners, 1980 alumnus, and member of the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association Board.
- William Smith: Current men’s soccer student-athlete and President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
“I’m grateful and humbled to be a part of such an important search at the university, one that will shape the future of Wisconsin Athletics,” Bishop stated. “It is vitally important we hear from a variety of voices on the qualities we should be seeking in a new director.”
Lauren Bishop
What’s at Stake?
The next AD won’t just be overseeing wins and losses. The university made it clear that the new hire must have a “strong emphasis on student-athlete health, wellbeing, academic success, finance and facilities, and fundraising.”
In the age of revenue sharing and multi-million dollar NIL collectives, the Badgers are looking for a visionary who can keep Wisconsin competitive at the highest level without losing the “Wisconsin Way” culture.
The Timeline
CSA Search and Consulting is assisting the search, and the university expects the new Director of Athletics to be in their seat and ready to work by this summer. With a top-20 football recruiting class currently in the works and a basketball program navigating a busy off-season, the timing couldn’t be more critical.
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