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.
Manuel Franco claims his $768 million Powerball jackpot
Manuel Franco, 24, of West Allis was revealed Tuesday as the winner of the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot.
Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 12, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 12 drawing
Midday: 1-7-0
Evening: 4-3-1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 12 drawing
Midday: 9-7-1-7
Evening: 5-2-5-2
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from July 12 drawing
Midday: 02-04-06-07-10-11-13-15-16-20-21
Evening: 03-05-08-09-10-11-16-17-18-21-22
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from July 12 drawing
02-09-20-23-28
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from July 12 drawing
02-06-07-14-29-39, Doubler: N
Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
- Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
- Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.
Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?
No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.
When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
- Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **
WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Minnesota and Wisconsin authorities are searching a lake along the Mississippi River Sunday morning for three missing people after a boat overturned the night prior.
The Pepin County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin says it received a 911 call at approximately 10:45 p.m. on Saturday reporting people screaming for help from the waters of Lake Pepin.
Upon arrival, first responders found an overturned pontoon boat just offshore from the YMCA Camp on Deer Island in Wisconsin. Three people were clinging to the boat and told responders that three additional occupants had been on the boat but could not be located.
Authorities initiated a large-scale search and rescue operation that included rescue boats, drones, helicopters and “other specialized search resources,” according to a joint release from the Wabasha and Pepin county sheriff’s offices.
As of 10:30 a.m. Sunday, search efforts are ongoing and a large emergency response presence remains on Lake Pepin.
While the boat was found near the YMCA Camp, law enforcement says no campers or camp staff were involved in the incident.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Manuel Franco claims his $768 million Powerball jackpot
Manuel Franco, 24, of West Allis was revealed Tuesday as the winner of the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot.
Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 11, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 11 drawing
08-10-14-45-59, Powerball: 05, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 11 drawing
Midday: 2-3-2
Evening: 4-0-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 11 drawing
Midday: 6-3-0-0
Evening: 0-9-6-7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from July 11 drawing
Midday: 02-08-09-12-13-15-17-18-20-21-22
Evening: 01-04-05-08-10-15-17-18-19-21-22
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from July 11 drawing
06-15-16-19-22
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from July 11 drawing
09-12-17-19-22-31, Doubler: N
Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Megabucks numbers from July 11 drawing
06-08-19-27-30-41
Check Megabucks payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
- Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
- Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.
Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?
No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.
When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
- Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **
WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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