Recycling Studies

Status of Recycling in Wisconsin.

The department periodically contracts for studies to assess the status of recycling in Wisconsin, subject to availability of funds. Studies the department has conducted and repeated in the past include a Household Trash Disposal and Recycling Survey (1990-95, 1998, 2002 and 2006) and a waste characterization and disposal study (1990, 1995 and 2000).

In 2002, the department hired Cascadia Consulting Group to conduct a waste sort at Wisconsin landfills. Combining the results of this report with those of other studies, the department developed the Status of Recycling Report 2003, which concluded that residents continue to recycle at a very high rate and that on a statewide basis, Wisconsin's recycling program continues to be a national leader.

• Status of Recycling Report - July 2003 [PDF 231KB]
• Statewide Waste Characterization Study May 2003 [PDF 739KB] prepared for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc.
• Wisconsin Waste Characterization & Management Study Update 2000 [PDF 182KB] prepared for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources by Franklin Associates, Ltd. PUB WA 418

In 2003, Franklin Associates revised some of their estimates for Wisconsin. See the following documents:

• Estimated Disposition of Wisconsin MSW in 2000 revised June 2003 [PDF 64KB]
• Estimated Disposition of Selected Non-Municipal Solid Waste In Wisconsin 2000 revised June 2003 [PDF 73KB]

2006 Household Recycling Survey Results

Wisconsin residents continue to show strong support for recycling, according to a recently completed telephone survey. The Executive Summary [PDF 192KB] and Report [PDF 982KB] provide insight into residents' views on local recycling programs as well as open burning; products containing mercury; and recycling of computers, televisions and cell phones.

Commercial Recycling in Wisconsin

This report [PDF 139KB] by Recycling Connections Corporation proposes strategies to increase recycling among Wisconsin's businesses. The department plans to work with stakeholders in further developing this initiative, drawing on report recommendations and others proposed by the Governor's Task Force on Waste Materials Recovery and Disposal.

This report draws on input from municipal recyclers; the hauling industry; non-profit organizations; and the states of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska. The report addresses program goals; basic elements of commercial recycling; and the roles of responsible units, haulers and recyclers.

Key recommendations include:

• establishing an advisory committee to develop a five-year plan for commercial recycling;
• identifying key target sectors or commodities;
• establishing minimum levels for responsible unit commercial recycling education and enforcement efforts;
• establishing a network of regional coordinators for education and enforcement action; and
• inserting recycling and waste management considerations into the basic infrastructure of doing business in Wisconsin.