| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
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Collection Questions My recyclables were not collected? What should I do?
If your recyclables have not been collected, there may have been a problem with their content. Currently, we cannot accept plastic bags or #3 - #7 plastic items. Paper and cardboard must be separated from other items by placing them in a paper bag. Make sure cardboard is cut into 3 x 4 sections. If you have further questions, contact us at 262-896-8300.
I think the hauler may be placing my recyclables with the trash. What should I do?
The recyclables are worth so much money, this does not usually happen. Sometimes recyclables and trash are collected in small trucks to be taken back to a larger, centralized sorting area. Recycling trucks are also divided down the middle to keep paper and containers separate, as our facility is only capable of handling these separated materials. If you still feel that your recyclables are being landfilled, please contact your hauler so they are made aware of the issue.
Who is in charge of my recycling service?
Each community in Wisconsin is in required to make recycling of certain items available to their residents. 25 communities in Waukesha County have pooled their materials to make the process of sorting and selling those recyclables more cost-effective. Your individual municipality (at the city, town, or village level) is in charge of organizing the collection of your garbage and recyclables. They may either create a contract for residents that everyone is under or they may leave this duty up to the residents. This contract also covers things like yard waste collection and large item collection. Once the recyclables from those 25 communities get to the County’s Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), the county is in charge of overseeing the sorting, selling, and distribution of the materials. Finally, the county is also in charge of programs for these communities such as educational presentations and the household hazardous waste collections. If you live in an apartment with more than 5 units, your landlord is in charge of providing these services to you.
Why can I only recycle plastics #1 & #2?
90% of plastic bottles and jugs fall into this category. The remaining bottles and jugs currently do not have markets in which to be sold. If new markets become available, we will change collection to meet these demands. We only accept bottles, jars, and jugs - no other containers e.g. plastic berry containers even if marked #1 or #2.
Item Questions
Often I have things I would like to get rid of, but they are still useful. Are there other options?
Consider donating your used materials. There are several options on our donations page [PDF], including information on Freecycle, a local swap website that is similar to Craigslist but where all items are free.
Can I recycle glossy paper and empty aerosol cans?
Yes, glossy paper and empty aerosol cans may be recycled. Full aerosol cans must be treated as hazardous waste. For other household recyclable items view our household recycling guide[PDF].
I am purchasing a new appliance or TV. How should I get rid of my old item?
Some stores currently offer disposal as a service with the sale of a new item. If you are disposing of an item in order to purchase a new item make sure to include disposal as a condition for your business. If you are not purchasing a new item, visit our appliance recycling page for more information.
My community does not have a yard waste program. Are there county drop-off sites fro leaves, branches, and grass clippings?
No, the County does not have a drop-off site for yard waste of any kind. Most communities do not accept grass clippings since they are hard to dispose of and are not accepted in landfills (state law). The best method of dealing with grass clippings is for the homeowner to recycle them. How? Please visit our webpage on alternative yard waste disposal for more information.
I currently use the new type of compact fluorescent light bulbs to save energy, but I heard there is a small amount of mercury in them. Is this true? How should I dispose of them?
While CFL’s contain some mercury (about as much as the size of the tip of a pen), traditional incandescent lights end up generating 2-10 times more mercury than CFLs when you figure in the mercury emissions from the coal plants that usually power them. There are many recycling options for these CFL light bulbs to make sure the small amount of mercury does not end up in our landfills.
Legal Questions
I have been seeing people taking the aluminum cans out of my recycling bin before the collection truck comes by. Is this legal?
No, it is not legal. People who take cans out of recycling bins are stealing and may be subject to fines. If you see this happening, get a license plate number and call your local police. Revenues from the sale of recyclables help keep your taxes lower.
Is recycling the law? I have lived in other states and they do not have a recycling program there.
There is currently not a national recycling law, so recycling mandates vary state to state. Wisconsin has mandated recycling since 1995. It is illegal for residents to put items in the landfill, such as paper, plastic and aluminum bottles and cans, tires, and yard debris. For a complete list, visit the DNR’s website.
I recently visited an establishment that does not recycle. Is recycling the law for businesses in Wisconsin? What should I do if I find a business or school that is not recycling?
Recycling is the law for everyone in Wisconsin. If you visit a business that does not recycle you may let our office know by calling 262-896-8300. If you are a business looking to get a recycling program operational, please visit our business recycling resource center.