Recycling in Milwaukee, WI

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Drop Off Centers (opens in new tab) · City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works
  • The north side Drop Off Center is at 6660 Industrial Road. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The south side Drop Off Center is at 3879 W. Lincoln Avenue. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Summer hours (April 12 - November 28, 2026) are Tuesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; winter hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The Drop Off Centers are for City of Milwaukee residents and property owners; current state- or city-issued photo ID is required. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Drop Off Center Information Guide (brochure) (opens in new tab) · City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works
  • The brochure lists the North Drop Off Center at 6660 N Industrial Road, Milwaukee, WI 53223 (read from a multi-column PDF). Checked October 26, 2026.
• Home Haz Mat Collection - Locations and Lists of Items (opens in new tab) · Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
  • MMSD lists the Lincoln Avenue site at 3879 W Lincoln Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53215. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • MMSD Home Hazmat site: 6060 S 13th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53221 (just north of College Ave). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The 13th Street site is open Tuesday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The Lincoln Avenue site is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • MMSD only accepts waste generated by households or apartments in Milwaukee County; no businesses or contractors. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Recycling Directory (opens in new tab) · City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works
  • Furniture smaller than a recliner goes out with regular garbage with no special request; larger pieces need a fee-based pickup. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Bulky Item Pickup (opens in new tab) · City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works
  • Bulky items are things too large for the garbage cart, such as broken furniture or a queen mattress. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Yard waste, electronics and TVs, appliances and tires are not bulky waste and must go to a Drop Off Center. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Bulky pickup is only for properties with City of Milwaukee Sanitation collection service. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Up to 1 cubic yard of bulky items can be set out on the regular collection day without a request. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Special pickup of more than 1 cubic yard costs $75 for 1-4 cubic yards and $225 for 4-6 cubic yards; request online or call 414-286-CITY. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Contact Us (opens in new tab) · Refrigerant Depot, LLC
  • Refrigerant Depot is at 5311 South 9th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53221. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Refrigerant Depot home page (opens in new tab) · Refrigerant Depot, LLC
  • Business and drop-off hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Phone (414) 627-1152. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Appliance Recycling (opens in new tab) · Refrigerant Depot, LLC
  • There are no residency restrictions and no ID is required for drop-off. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residential and commercial appliances, working or not, are accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Bay View Store and Donation Center (opens in new tab) · Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago
  • Goodwill Bay View Store and Donation Center is at 153 W. Oklahoma Ave., ZIP 53207 (phone (414) 744-6014). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Donation center hours: Mon–Sat 9 AM–8 PM, Sun 9 AM–7 PM. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Milwaukee Oakland Avenue Store and Donation Center (opens in new tab) · Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago
  • Goodwill Milwaukee Oakland Avenue Store and Donation Center is at 2830 N. Oakland Ave., ZIP 53211 (phone (414) 962-3281). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Donation center hours: Mon–Sat 9 AM–8 PM, Sun 9 AM–7 PM. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Milwaukee Palmer Street Store and Donation Center (opens in new tab) · Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago
  • Goodwill Milwaukee Palmer Street Store and Donation Center is at 3900 N. Palmer St., ZIP 53212 (phone (414) 967-0588). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Donation center hours: Mon–Sat 9 AM–8 PM, Sun 9 AM–7 PM. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Retique Store and Donation Center (opens in new tab) · Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago
  • Goodwill Retique Store and Donation Center is at 190 N. Broadway, ZIP 53202 (phone (414) 273-1797). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Donation center hours: Mon–Sat 10 AM–8 PM (check Sunday hours). Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wisconsin DNR: Electronics Recycling (E-cycle) (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • E-Cycle Wisconsin is a manufacturer-funded statewide program that collects and recycles certain electronics used by households and K-12 schools. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DNR offers a finder for electronics collection sites and free mail-back programs. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wisconsin DNR: E-Cycle Wisconsin program information (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Individuals and K-12 schools can use E-Cycle Wisconsin to save on electronics recycling (DNR does not say it is free at collection sites). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Individuals and K-12 schools may recycle electronics through E-Cycle Wisconsin; businesses are not eligible. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Businesses must still recycle, reuse or manage their electronics as hazardous waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The electronics disposal bans apply to devices from everyone: households, schools, businesses, governments and institutions. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Televisions are banned from Wisconsin landfills and incinerators. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Computers (desktop, laptop, netbook, tablet), qualifying game consoles, desktop printers and computer monitors are banned from Wisconsin landfills and incinerators. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Computer accessories (keyboards, mice, speakers, external hard drives, flash drives) and DVD players, VCRs and DVRs are also banned from disposal. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • TV and monitor accessories (remotes, cable/satellite/streaming receivers, cords and A/V cables, security cameras, home theater speakers), fax machines and cellphones are also banned from disposal. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Eligible electronics under E-Cycle Wisconsin include cellphones, computers, desktop printers and computer monitors. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Eligible electronics also include fax machines, tablets and e-readers, televisions, video game consoles and battery-operated hand-held game devices. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wis. Stat. 287.07 Prohibitions on land disposal and incineration (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Legislature (Wisconsin Statutes)
  • Since September 1, 2010, state law has banned listed electronic devices from landfills, solid waste incinerators and from trash containers headed to them. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wisconsin DNR: How to recycle electronics in Wisconsin (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Electronics from Wisconsin households and K-12 schools may be recycled through E-Cycle Wisconsin. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Many electronics manufacturers also offer free mail-back programs, mainly for consumers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Recycling fees vary between collection sites; DNR advises calling ahead to find the total cost. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Before going, ask a collection site or recycler what it takes, whom it accepts from, what it charges, whether it picks up and how it destroys data. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Disconnect devices from online services and erase personal data before recycling; deleting files does not clear them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Working computers and other electronics may be donated to a school, nonprofit or other organization; call first. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wisconsin DNR: What to recycle in Wisconsin (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Electronics do not belong in curbside recycling bins or carts; the equipment is not designed for them. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wisconsin DNR: Proper handling of used batteries (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Lead-acid batteries are banned from Wisconsin landfills and solid waste incinerators. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Lead-acid ("automotive type") batteries are those in cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and other vehicles and devices with internal combustion engines. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Consumers may bring lead-acid batteries for recycling to any Wisconsin retailer that sells them, during normal business hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Return is free when the customer buys a new battery and brings in a used one. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Without buying a new battery, customers may be charged up to $3 per used battery. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Retailers must charge a $10 deposit on automotive replacement batteries and refund it in money when the customer returns a used battery to the same retailer. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The retailer may ask for proof of purchase; the trade-in is not a product return and has no time limit. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Alkaline batteries may go in the trash, though some retailers and recycling locations accept them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Never put batteries or electronics in curbside recycling carts or bins. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • When storing batteries for recycling, tape the ends with clear packing tape or bag each battery separately. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DNR points residents to The Battery Network (1-877-2-RECYCLE): many retailers in this nonprofit program have in-store collection boxes for rechargeable batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents can also contact their local recycling program about battery collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The E-Cycle Wisconsin site list also shows some rechargeable battery collection locations. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wis. Stat. 287.18 Lead acid battery collection (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Legislature (Wisconsin Statutes)
  • For batteries brought in without a trade-in purchase, a retailer need not accept more than 2 per person per day. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The deposit rule covers automotive-type batteries such as car, truck, motorcycle, ATV, UTV, snowmobile, golf cart, tractor, lawn and garden, marine and other engine-starting batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.