Local Governments / Responsible Units

Municipal recycling programs ensure that businesses and special event managers are recycling.

Wisconsin's recycling laws apply equally to all residential and non-residential locations throughout the state. Local governments help implement and enforce recycling laws.

Municipal recycling programs ensure that residents, businesses and special event managers are recycling.

A responsible unit (RU) can be a municipality, county, tribe, solid waste management system or other unit of local government responsible for planning, operating and funding a recycling program. As of 2006, 1064 individual RUs implement recycling programs in Wisconsin.

Each RU must implement a recycling program to manage banned materials generated within its region in compliance with the law. Under Wisconsin's comprehensive recycling laws, every citizen in Wisconsin must have residential recycling service or drop-off centers within easy access and should be provided with recycling education and outreach. In addition to ensuring provision of recycling services to residents, RUs are delegated the responsibility of ensuring banned materials are recycled at non-residential locations including special events and construction sites. However, RUs are not required by law to provide these services.

See a list of RU contacts [PDF 84KB].

Banned Materials

Wisconsin law requires recycling of several materials. RUs must include most of these banned materials as part of their effective recycling programs.

Key Requirements of a RU Program

• A local ordinance [PDF 110KB] addressing the criteria for an effective recycling program which includes the necessary authority to enforce compliance with recycling requirements
• A Compliance Assurance Plan that details the procedures to ensure compliance for at least one commonly encountered recycling compliance issue
• An outreach and education program to inform residents and businesses about the recycling law

Enforcing Local Recycling and Solid Waste Ordinances [exit DNR] This Wisconsin Solid & Hazardous Waste Education Center fact sheet looks at common recycling and solid waste enforcement issues and provides strategies for the enforcement of local solid waste ordinances.

NOTE: If a RU does not maintain an effective recycling program, no individual, business or institution within that jurisdiction may legally dispose of municipal solid waste in Wisconsin.

Single-Stream Recycling [PDF 41KB] Single-stream recycling refers to a system in which all glass, aluminum, plastic, tin AND paper go into one container, instead of being sorted into separate commodities (newspaper, cardboard, plastic, glass, etc.) by the resident and handled separately throughout the collection process. We have prepared a single-stream fact sheet, a compilation of information from a variety of sources to assist communities that might be considering switching to a single-stream system.

RU Annual Reports

Responsible units (RUs) are required by law to submit an annual report to the DNR by April 30 of each year. The annual report confirms a RU's compliance with program criteria, including a report on the tonnage of the recyclable material collected during the previous calendar year. RUs may report online or may send in a paper report. Get more information and find report forms and a link to the online reporting system.

Recycling Grants

The state assists with the operation of municipal recycling programs through two distinct recycling grant programs: the municipal and county recycling grant program and the recycling efficiency incentive grant program. Together, these grant programs cover on average between 25 percent and 30 percent of eligible program costs.

DNR Administration and Oversight

DNR administers the disposal bans and is authorized to issue citations and to collect forfeitures from individuals and companies that violate state recycling laws.

Responsible Unit Program Evaluations

In addition to requiring RUs to submit an annual report, each year the DNR selects a minimum of 100 RUs for evaluation, to ensure RUs are satisfactorily meeting key components of an effective recycling program.

Responsible unit (RU) program evaluations are one of the primary means for DNR staff to see and hear about the operation of the local municipal recycling program. Typically, the evaluation will include a review of key program elements to ensure consistency with program requirements as stated in Wisconsin law. If there are areas of the program that need follow-up or modification, DNR staff will discuss the shortcomings and work with the RU to develop a plan to bring the program back into compliance.

• What to Expect from an RU Program Evaluation [PDF 56KB]