Frequently Asked Questions

The owner of your facility or complex is required to provide for information on proper recycling and solid waste disposal. See the following documents for further information:

• Renters Guide to Recycling (PDF)
• Owners of Apartments/Multi-Family Units Guide to Recycling Responsibility (PDF)

Check out a YouTube video on the subject.

Plastic bags should not be tossed in with the single-stream recyclables. Plastic bags comingled with other recyclables are problematic to the separation process of single-stream recycling. They can get easily wrapped in the processing equipment causing damage and downtime to remove the plastic film. Plastic bags can be recycled at most grocery or department stores. Please keep plastic bags out of the single-stream recyclables.

The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) News Hour has produced a brief, 2.5-minute video on not placing plastic bags in your recycling cart. It explains why this can be a big problem for recycling facilities and why plastic bags should be recycled at drop-off locations only. Check it out!

No. Caps and lids on plastic bottles and containers are now recommended to be placed back on the item after emptied and rinsed. In the past, caps and lids were not easily recyclable as they are made of different plastic materials than the containers. Recycling processors can readily separate the plastic caps and lids from the containers when run through the chipping and shredding process. So it is now suggested to empty, rinse and replace caps and lids on all plastics destined for recycling.

Yes. All paper, cardboard, plastic and glass containers, bi-metal cans can be tossed into one recycling dumpster at your municipal drop-off center. Some exceptions apply. Please review the Recycling Guide found in the Forms and Document tab for information on proper recycling of these items.

The following municipalities are under the County Recycling Program: Abrams, Bagley, Doty, Village and Town of Lena, Little Suamico, Maple Valley, Morgan, Town of Oconto, Riverview, Stiles, City and Town of Oconto Falls, Village of Suring and Town of How. These municipalities' recycling services are managed by the county to reduce administrative and recycling costs. Municipalities not listed above are under their own municipal recycling program. Citizens in the following municipalities should contact their municipal clerks for information on the proper recycling of items: Brazeau, Breed, Chase, Gillett, Lakewood, Little River, Mountain, Pensaukee, Spruce, Townsend, Underhill, Cities of Oconto and Gillett.

Each municipality now must cover the expense to have single-stream recycling materials picked up and transported to a recycling facility. Most municipalities do not charge their citizens for recycling single-stream items (paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and metal containers) but may charge "out of town" citizens to cover any additional unanticipated costs associated with these recyclables. In order to save on the recycling costs to your municipality, your recyclables should be taken to the municipal drop-off center in which you reside.

Cartons can be recycled with the single-stream recycling waste stream of paper, cardboard, plastics, bi-metal containers and glass. Rinse containers and flatten to preserve space. For additional information on carton containers please visit the Carton Council website.

The following links provide information on recycling and waste reduction for businesses.

Business Type:

• Gas Station/Convenience Store (PDF)
• Schools (PDF)
• Lodging Facility (PDF)
• Restaurant (PDF)

You can Green Up your move with these recycling tips. Visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources page Reduce Waste and Save Money During Your Move.

Giving and sharing during the holiday season can add up to additional waste with extra gift wrap, extra packaging, disposable dishes, leftover food and more. But we can make small changes in some of our holiday habits to reduce additional waste and save money. Visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources page Reduce Waste and Save Money This Holiday Season.

Adding a new deck? Slapping on a new coat of paint? Finally, fixing the roof? When improving your home, you can reduce, reuse and recycle, saving money and protecting the environment as well.

Visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) page Reduce Waste and Save Money During Home Remodels.

Many types of light bulbs contain metals such as mercury. Examples include:

• Tube- and compact-style fluorescent bulbs, including compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
• Mercury vapor bulbs - i.e., high-intensity lamps with blue-white, originally used as farmyard lights
• Metal halide bulbs - i.e., newer, more efficient high-intensity lights
• High and low-pressure sodium vapor bulbs - i.e., yellow lights used for outdoor security lighting

Because these bulbs contain metals and toxic chemicals, they should be properly disposed of to avoid contaminating the environment or harming human health.

Visit WIDNR Recycling Light Bulbs.