What can and can’t you recycle in Wisconsin? Here are the rules to know

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.