Waste & Materials Management Program

Wisconsin Recycling Rates

The recycling rates* for materials banned from Wisconsin landfills are as follows:


lead acid batteries, major appliances and tires	>95%
yard waste	78%
corrugated cardboard	72%
newspaper	67%
glass containers	57 - 74%
aluminum & steel cans	55%
plastic containers	41 - 51%
magazines	31 - 35%
office paper	28 - 57%

*Recycling rate: materials recycled ÷ waste generated

Note: DNR used the results from a 2003 landfill waste sort study by Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. and revised estimates from Franklin Associates, Ltd. 2000 Waste Characterization and Management Study to determine the effectiveness of our recycling and waste diversion efforts. Ranges are given when inconsistencies between the two data sets precluded developing a single recycling rate.

Last Revised: Monday April 20 2009