Carry in, carry out

Most Wisconsin state park and forest picnic areas, shelters, beaches, and other day-use areas have no garbage or recycling bins.

When you visit for a few hours or less, you'll need to take your garbage and recyclables home with you.

Why?

Home away from home: The parks belong to all of us...and just like home...we need to care for them and keep them clean.

Less mess: Removal of the garbage and recycling containers eliminates the smells and mess they create. It also cuts down on insects, skunks, and other pests.

Reduce, reuse, recycle: Wisconsin state law requires us to recycle many materials we used to throw away. Better yet, we can make new choices of what to bring with us. The more reusable things we pack, the less garbage we'll create. It's good for us and for our environment.

Cost savings: Money that otherwise would be used for garbage disposal can be directed to providing you a better park experience.

Thanks for helping out by carrying out what you've carried in.

Ideas for Cutting Down on Wastes

• Reuse
  • Bring reusable cups, plates, and utensils.
  • Bring beverages in reusable containers.
  • Use cloth napkins and tablecloths.
• Reduce
  • Buy durable outdoor equipment. It may cost more at first, but it will last longer. That saves money and resources.
  • Repair old equipment. Replace the torn webbing on beach chairs. Put patches on leaky air mattresses. Don't throw them away!
• Recycle
  • Separate recyclables from the rest of your trash.
  • Typical recyclables: aluminum cans, steel (tin) cans, bimetal cans, #1 and #2 plastics, glass, paper, and cardboard. Bag them up and dispose of them through your community recycling program.
  • Typical non-recyclables: paper or cardboard that has contained food, and #3 - #7 plastics. Discard these items in your home garbage.

  

  Help close the "recycling loop" by buying products made from recycled materials.

For more information, ask: Wisconsin State Parks, (608) 266-2181.