Wisconsin law encourages (and requires) recyclable materials to be diverted from the landfill. More information on waste management in Wisconsin can be found on the DNR’s webpage: What to Recycle.
Recycling availability varies by municipality with some putting more responsibility on the users. Before recycling any material, consult your local waste handler to ensure you are not contaminating the recycling supply. Too much contaminated material can mean that all recyclables in the load are instead diverted to the landfill. When in doubt (or when there is no readable number), throw it out.
Due to the number of variations between recycling handlers, it is encouraged this list is only used for a quick reference.
Tip: Use CTRL + F to type in your community. You can find the specific ordinances by clicking on your community of interest and going to their website and then visiting the code location noted in the chart.
Updated 10-17-17
City of Appleton (Chapter 15)
Handler: Outagamie County
Curbside: Yes (once per week)
Cleaned: Yes, not in plastic bags
Aluminum: Cans, not foil
Electronics: Bring to electronics drop-off site
Glass: Yes
Paper: Yes, mixed in
Shredded Paper: Yes, if enclosed in a paper bag (not plastic)
Cartons: Yes, if no food contamination
Cardboard: Yes (boxes if broken down)
Plastics: Yes, no plastic screw caps
#6: No styrofoam
Plastic Bags/Film: No
Misc:
Tires: Curbside with $5 disposal tag
Prescription Medications: Bring to Appleton Police Department lobby on Walnut St
City of Kaukauna
Handler: Outagamie County
Curbside: Yes (every other week)
Cleaned: Yes, not in plastic bags
Aluminum: Cans, not foil
Electronics: Bring to electronics drop-off site
Glass: Yes
Paper: Yes, mixed in
Shredded Paper: Yes, if enclosed in a paper bag (not plastic)
Cartons: Yes, if no food contamination
Cardboard: Yes (boxes if broken down)
Plastics: Yes, no plastic screw caps
#6: No styrofoam
Plastic Bags/Film: No
City of Madison
Handler: Streets Division
Curbside: Yes
Cleaned: All plastic bottles, jugs, dairy tubs, clam shells, aluminum, steel/tin cans
Aluminum: Yes
Electronics: Bring to drop off site (locations)
Glass: Bottles and jars only, separate metal lids (no broken glass)
Paper: Yes
Shredded Paper: Yes, if enclosed in a paper bag or clear plastic
Cartons: Yes, flattened
Cardboard: Yes, flattened
Plastics: Yes, plastic screw caps accepted
#6: No styrofoam (can be brought to drop off sites)
Plastic Bags/Film: Yes, plastic bags (not film)
City of Menasha (Sec. 8-4)
Handler:
Curbside: Yes
Cleaned: Yes, not in plastic bags
Aluminum: Cans, not foil
Electronics: Bring to electronics drop-off site
Glass: Yes
Paper: Yes, mixed in
Shredded Paper: Yes, if enclosed in a paper bag (not plastic)
Cartons: Yes, if no food contamination
Cardboard: Yes (boxes if broken down)
Plastics: Yes, no plastic screw caps
#6: No styrofoam
Plastic Bags/Film: No
City of Neenah (Sec. 12-25)
Handler:
Curbside: Yes, same day as garbage with Recycling Sticker on container
Cleaned: Yes, not in plastic bags
Aluminum: Cans, not foil
Electronics: Bring to electronics drop-off site
Glass: Yes, food jars and bottles only
Paper: Yes
Shredded Paper: Yes, if enclosed in a paper bag (not plastic)
Cartons: Yes, if no food contamination
Cardboard: Yes (boxes if broken down)
Plastics: Yes, no plastic screw caps
#6: No styrofoam
Plastic Bags/Film: No
Misc:
Prescription Drugs: Bring to Neenah Police Station
City of Oshkosh (Ch 23-3)
Handler: Sanitation Division (2017 Flyer)
Curbside: Yes, every other week in blue colored recycling cart
Cleaned: Yes, not in plastic bags
Aluminum: Cans, not foil
Electronics: Bring to electronics drop-off site
Glass: Yes, food jars and bottles only
Paper: Yes
Shredded Paper: Yes, if enclosed in a paper bag stapled shit (not plastic)
Magazines & Catalogs: Yes
Cartons: Paper only, if no food contamination
Cardboard: Yes
Plastics: Yes, no plastic screw caps
#6: No styrofoam
Plastic Bags/Film: No
Misc:
Prescription Drugs: Bring to Oshkosh Safety Building
Village of Fox Crossing (Ch. 10)
Handler: Advanced Disposal/Tri-County Recycling (Fox Crossing Recycling Guide)
Curbside: Yes, every other week in bin (blue cart with blue lid)
Cleaned: Yes, not in plastic bags
Aluminum: Cans, not foil
Electronics: Bring to electronics drop-off site
Glass: Yes, food jars and bottles only
Paper: Yes
Shredded Paper: Yes, if enclosed in a paper bag stapled shit (not plastic)
Magazines & Catalogs: Yes
Cartons: Paper only, if no food contamination
Cardboard: Yes, if flattened and cut to less than 3 ft x 3ft
Plastics: Yes, no plastic screw caps
#6: No styrofoam
Plastic Bags/Film: No, bring to Village Hall for drop off in lobby
Misc:
Prescription Drugs: Bring to Fox Crossing Police Department (no sharps)