Identify disposal options for a wide variety of items.
Accepted at collection point in blue recycle cart.
Instructions: Empty cans only. OK to leave labels on.
Restrictions: NO needles or "sharps". No gas or propane cans or tanks.
Accepted at collection point in blue recycle cart.
Instructions: Please rinse out cans. Don't crush.
Restrictions: NO needles or "sharps". No gas cans or propane tanks.
CLEAN foil and pie tins OK.Drop Off Centers and Household Hazardous Waste Sites will accept used anti-freeze. NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE.
Drop Off Centers will accept appliances. NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE.
Appliances include air conditioners, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, freezers, microwaves, ovens, refrigerators, furnaces, boilers, dehumidifiers, water heaters, and stoves.
Accepted at collection point in green garbage cart or at a Drop Off Center.
Instructions: Double bag all ashes please.
Drop Off Centers will accept auto batteries. NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE.
View the WI Dept. of Natural Resources' Household Battery Recycling Guide and Guia de Reciclaje de Pilas Domésticas.
Alkaline (Single Use) Batteries. Never put these batteries in your recycling cart. Single use batteries (A, AA, AAA, C, D, etc.) can be thrown out in your regular garbage or can be recycled for a fee through a variety of mail in programs or local retail drop offs. Recycling these batteries through mail in or retail drop off programs can recover steel and zinc.
Rechargeable Batteries. Rechargeable batteries contain toxic chemicals and must be properly disposed of through specific recycling locations. Never put these batteries in your recycling or garbage cart. Rechargeable (NiCd, NiMH, NiZn, Li-ion, SSLA/Pb) and button batteries are accepted at MMSD Home Hazmat Collection sites and a variety of local retailers serving as drop-off locations.
Vehicle Batteries. Lead-Acid batteries, typically found in cars and other vehicles, must be recycled in the state of Wisconsin. Many stores that sell these batteries accept them for recycling while offering savings on the purchase of a new one. They can also be brought to Milwaukee's Drop Off Centers.
Accepted at collection point in blue recycle cart: paperback books, phone books, hardcover books ONLY if cover and back is removed, newspapers, magazines, junk mail, and mixed paper. Also consider donating.
Consider renting your next book or e-book!
Phone Book Opt-Out. Consider opting out of getting a phone book delivered if you no longer use this resource. Opt out online.
Restrictions: NO tissue paper or wax/foil/plastic lined paper or trash.
Accepted at curbside or alley collection point.
Instructions: DO NOT PLACE IN CART. Pile branches and brush at the collection point and request a special pickup online or call (414) 286-CITY (2489). More info.
Restrictions: Up to 2 cubic yards (size of a sofa).
Take to a Drop Off Center or any local scrap metal yard.
Not recyclable curbside. Do not place in the cart.
Accepted at collection point in blue recycle cart: corrugated cardboard and paperboard (cereal boxes), junk mail, mixed paper, beverage carrier packs, paperback books, newspapers, magazines, and phone books.
Restrictions: NO tissue paper or wax/foil/plastic lined paper or trash.
Pizza boxes accepted if NO food or grease.Accepted at collection point in blue recycle cart. Acceptable cartons include those used for shelf-stable and refrigerated food and beverage products.
Instructions: Please empty and rinse.
Accepted at collection point in green garbage cart. Also consider donating.
Cell phones are banned from Wisconsin landfills. NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE.
Lithium ion batteries that power smartphones and tablets pose a significant fire risk at our recycling facility if damaged.
Cell phones accepted for recycling at KGMB. Find additional cell phone drop offs.
Drop Off Centers will accept metal chains and chain links. NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE.
Accepted at curbside or alley collection point for special collection. Find seasonal updates here.
Instructions: DO NOT PLACE IN CART. Cut (live) Christmas trees are collected by special crews from the collection points for composting December 26 until January 31. Residents must submit a request at Click-4-Action or call (414) 286-CITY (2489). Trees can also be taken to Drop Off Centers for composting. Trees must be bare with all decorations removed prior to disposal.
Wreaths can be collected for composting. To be collected, remove all decorations, wire, and plastic. Residents must submit a request at Click-4-Action or call (414) 286-CITY (2489).Artificial trees can be placed at garbage collection point.
Household Hazardous Waste Sites will accept: garage, auto, and toxic workshop cleaners. PRODUCTS NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE.
Consider donating to thrift stores whether in good or poor condition. If clothing cannot be resold as is, stores sell unusable items to recyclers like CTC Supplies. Also accepted at collection point in green garbage cart.
Several locations take renovation materials as donations. Do NOT place in garbage or recycling carts. Construction Debris requires a special collection (for a fee) or must be taken to the Drop Off Centers.
Drop Off Centers accept cooking oil for recycling or place at collection point in garbage cart.
For animals in the public right of way call (414) 286-CITY (2489) to request a pickup.
Drop Off Centers will accept electronics. NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE.
Drop Off Centers will accept up to three TVs per visit with a recycling fee of $5 per TV. All other electronics listed on the Drop Off Center website are accepted free of charge.Electronics are banned from Wisconsin landfills. Learn more here.
Consider repairing electronics to extend their useful life.
Consider donating items such as lawn mowers and snow blowers. Even if they are not in working condition, many people and organizations are interested. If donating is not an option, drain all fluids (oil, gasoline, etc.) and dispose of properly, then take the item to a Drop Off Center.
EPS foam containers and coolers should be placed in your green garbage cart.
Foil and foil-like containers such as aluminum trays, are accepted at collection point in blue recycling cart.
Instructions: Containers and foil must be clean and free of food waste.
Learn how to reduce the amount of food you put in your trash, including using in-sink food disposals and backyard composting.
Many organizations collect furniture for reuse. If reuse is not an option, place item(s) at your collection point. If it is less than the size of a recliner it will be picked up with your regular garbage. No special request is needed. If it is larger than a recliner there is a fee for collection. Request a pickup online or call (414) 286-CITY (2489). For disposal of items larger than a recliner, take items to a Drop Off Center for a lower fee than scheduling a collection.
Accepted at your collection point in blue recycle cart.
Instructions: Any color. Please rinse out. OK to leave labels on.
Restrictions: NO drinking glasses, Pyrex, china, ceramics, window glass, or light bulbs. Mason jars are OK.
Several locations take renovation materials as donations. Do NOT place in garbage or recycling carts. Construction Debris (windows) requires a special collection (for a fee) or must be taken to the Drop Off Centers.
Consider leaving grass clippings on your lawn to return the nutrients to your soil or composting. If these options won’t work, grass clippings must be brought to a Drop Off Center.
Restrictions: It is illegal to put grass clippings in your garbage cart.
Many stores and dry cleaners will take back hangers for reuse. If reuse is not an option, metal hangers are scrap metal and can be taken to a Drop Off Center.
Plastic hangers that cannot be donated should go in the garbage.Drop Off Centers will accept holiday lights. NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE. Consider donating working condition lights.
Garden hoses should be placed in your green garbage cart. Consider donating if in good condition.
Accepted at collection point in green garbage cart.
Place in green garbage cart. Learn more about recycling ink cartridges.
CFL and fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury, which is a hazardous material, and must be disposed of properly. Do NOT place fluorescent bulbs or tubes in your trash or recycling carts. Household Hazardous Waste Sites accept these items. Learn more about CFLs from the EPA.
CFL bulbs can also be taken to many retail outlets. Search for a locations here. Call individual stores to verify their participation.These bulbs are not considered hazardous and can be placed in the garbage.
Accepted at collection point in blue recycle cart: magazines, newspapers, phone books, paperback books, corrugated cardboard, junk mail, and mixed paper
Restrictions: NO tissue paper or wax/foil/plastic lined paper or trash.
Do not flush old medication!
Over the Counter (OTC) medication can be thrown away in your green garbage cart.
Prescription medication should be safely disposed of through a drop box location or the envelope mail-back program. Find a map of locations at Take Back My Meds MKE.
See "Medication" for guidance on how to safely dispose of leftover medication.
Drop Off Centers will accept microwave ovens. NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE.
Drop Off Centers will accept motor oil and filters. NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE.
It is illegal for needles and syringes to be put in garbage or recycling carts/bins. Needles and syringes must be taken to a sharps collection station or check with your local pharmacy about their disposal options. Learn more here.
Consider donating unopened paint to charity. Accepted curbside in green garbage cart or at Drop Off Centers.
Instructions: Dry paint in the container.
Consider donating unopened paint to charity. Household Hazardous Waste Sites will accept oil-based paint. NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE.
Accepted curbside - Recycle Cart: Newspapers, magazines, phone books, corrugated cardboard and paperboard (cereal boxes), junk mail, mixed paper, beverage carrier packs, and paperback books
Paper cups now accepted in curbside recycling. Please empty liquids and dispose of lids and straws in the garbage.
Restrictions: NO tissue paper or wax/foil/plastic lined paper or trash.
Accepted at collection point in blue recycling cart.
Instructions: Shredded paper should be contained in a sealed paper bag before placed in recycling cart. Only shred when necessary.
Accepted at collection point in green garbage cart or at a Drop Off Center.
Not recyclable. Do not place in the recycling cart.
Empty: Accepted in green garbage cart or at Drop Off Centers.
Full: Household Hazardous Waste Sites will accept pesticide. NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE.
Accepted in green garbage cart.
Instructions: Double bag all pet waste please.
Not accepted for recycling curbside. Do NOT put plastic bags or plastic film in your recycling bin. Learn more here.
Keep recyclables loose in cart.
Accepted at collection point in blue recycle cart.
Instructions: Please empty and rinse out. Lids should be screwed back on prior to recycling.
Restrictions: Only plastic containers with a #1, #2, or #5 symbol.
Plastic drinking cups now accepted in curbside recycling. Please empty liquids and place lids and straws in the garbage.
Bulky plastics such as five-gallon buckets, laundry baskets, or cat litter buckets may be recycled curbside or at a Drop Off Center.Plastic or ceramic plant and flower pots should be placed in your green garbage cart. Consider donating if in good condition.
Accepted at collection point in blue recycling cart or at a Drop Off Center.
Household Hazardous Waste Sites will accept 1-pound and 20-pound propane tanks at no additional charge.
Restrictions: Propane tanks can not go into your garbage cart or recycling cart. They are very dangerous in the trucks and at the Materials Recovery Facility.
Rope and cords should be placed in your green garbage cart. Consider donating if in good condition.
Drop Off Centers will accept scrap metal. NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE.
Drop Off Centers will accept asphalt roofing shingles. NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE.
Consider donating to thrift stores whether in good or poor condition. If shoes cannot be resold as is, stores sell unusable items to recyclers like CTC Supplies. Also accepted at collection point in green garbage cart.
Smoke detectors should be placed in your green garbage cart.
Some manufacturers have return programs available. View the back of the smoke detector for manufacturer contact information.
Spiral wound containers (fiber body, metal bottom) should be placed in your green garbage cart.
Examples of food/ beverage items found in these containers may include, but are not limited to, juice concentrate, Pringles, cookie dough, Crescent Rolls, oats, dried fruits, bulk coffee, and bulk hot cocoa.
Accepted at your collection point in your Recycle cart. Please rinse. OK to leave labels on. CLEAN foil and pie tins OK.
Restrictions: NO needles or “sharps”
Styrofoam, including packing peanuts and foam egg cartons should be placed in your green garbage cart. These items do not belong in your recycling cart.
Drop Off Centers will accept up to three televisions per visit with a recycling fee of $5 per TV. NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE.
Electronics are banned from Wisconsin landfills. Learn more here.
Drop Off Centers will accept up to five passenger tires per visit for free. NOT ACCEPTED CURBSIDE.
Options for bulk tire recycling include Tires Express LLC in Milwaukee and Badger Materials Recycling LLC in Delafield. Each can be contacted for cost inquiries.
Tissue paper, Kleenex, napkins, and toilet paper should be placed in your green garbage cart. These items do not belong in your recycling cart.
Paper, plastic, or Styrofoam to-go or take-out containers should be placed in your green garbage cart.
Several locations, including Habitat for Humanity ReStore, may take plumbing fixture donations. Call before dropping off.
Very small amounts are accepted curbside in green garbage cart. Larger amounts may be taken to Drop Off Centers. Fees apply.
For additional recycling options, contact local concrete recyclers. For a per vehicle fee, Shoreline Contracting Services in the City of Milwaukee accepts porcelain fixtures, concrete, stone, brick, block, and asphalt for recycling and use in aggregate. They can be contacted for more information.
Consider donating if in good condition. Otherwise, toys should be placed in your green garbage cart.
Life Nets matches unwanted wheelchairs with those in need.
Yard waste can be composted in your back yard or Drop Off Centers will accept garden debris. From Oct 1 - Nov 15 place on top of leaf piles for collection and composting. DO NOT PLACE IN GARBAGE OR RECYCLING CART.
