Environmental Protection
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Annual reports for responsible units and materials recovery facilities
Both recycling responsible units (RUs) and materials recovery facilities (MRFs) must submit annual reports to the DNR covering activities for the previous calendar year.Visit Wisconsin recycling studies and reports for data from previous reports.
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Composting rules and regulations in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s composting rules include basic operating and location requirements to prevent composting from becoming a nuisance to neighbors and to ensure nutrients are not released to groundwater or nearby lakes and streams. The rules require most…
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Recycling motor oil, oil filters and other automotive products
In Wisconsin, motor oil and used oil filters are banned from landfills. Motor oil and automotive products Environmental impacts of motor oil and other automotive products Potential environmental impacts of motor oil, antifreeze, parts cleaners…
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Recycling at home
We recycle because it is good for our environment, good for our economy and because in Wisconsin, it's the law. Since 1990, Wisconsin's recycling law requires all residents to recycle items like cardboard, bottles and cans and ensures all residents…
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Composting in Wisconsin
Compost is an environmentally friendly way to create healthy soil for Wisconsin's landscape. Compost made from yard materials and other organics, like food scraps, can replenish soil with microorganisms and nutrients.Wisconsin law prohibits landfill…
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Business and workplace recycling
Wisconsin businesses and other workplaces can save landfilling costs, earn money from the sale of materials and help Wisconsin's economy and the environment by recycling. Wisconsin's recycling laws banned certain materials from landfill disposal,…
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Recycling light bulbs
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…
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Proper handling of used batteries
Batteries used in many household and office products, as well as motor vehicle batteries, contain a variety of heavy metals and other materials that can be harmful to human health and the environment if not handled properly. Many of these materials…
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What to recycle in Wisconsin
Congratulations to the 13 organizations that won a 2024 Wisconsin Recycling Excellence Award! Read more about their recycling and waste reduction achievements.In Wisconsin, many recyclable or compostable items cannot be put in the trash.
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Reducing, reusing and recycling plastic bags and wrap
Plastic film, which includes many types of bags and wrap, is everywhere in our lives. In part because of their convenience and abundance, though, plastic bags and wrap are often used in excess, wasted, buried in landfills or littered in our streets…