Recycling in Waukesha, WI

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Waukesha County
  • All sites are free to Waukesha County residents, who must show proof of residency. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Drop-Off Center (opens in new tab) · City of Waukesha
  • The Drop-Off Center is at 750 Sentry Drive, Waukesha, WI 53186. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • April-November: Wednesdays 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; December-March: Saturdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Only City of Waukesha residents may drop off yard material or landfill trash; any Waukesha County resident may drop off recyclables (cardboard, paper, bottles, cans, scrap metal, used oil/antifreeze, cooking oil). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The center is for residential use only; no businesses or contractors. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Any city or county resident may bring household hazardous waste, including oil-based paint and stain, at no cost. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Garbage & Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Waukesha
  • Residents must contact Johns Disposal at 262-473-4700 to schedule and prepay for pickup. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Bulky items are large trash items that do not fit in a cart, such as sofas, tables, mattresses and box springs. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Freon appliances include refrigerators and freezers; non-freon appliances include microwaves, washers and dryers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Eligible properties are limited to 5 items per pickup, 15 a month and 25 a year. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • 2026 prices: non-freon appliance $45 per item, freon appliance $60 per item, 1 bulk item $45, 2-3 bulky items $60, 4-5 bulky items $75 per pickup. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • E-waste items cost $50 per item. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tires (limit 4 per pickup) cost $45 per pickup. Checked October 26, 2026.
• E-Waste (opens in new tab) · City of Waukesha
  • Legacy Recycling is brought in for drop-off events three times a year, open to any resident from any community. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Drop-off events are cash only. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • TVs cost $25 each and computer monitors $10 each. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted items include computers, laptops, printers, cell phones, microwaves, refrigerators/freezers, washers/dryers and more. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Legacy Recycling accepts electronics banned from landfills, including computers. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Hazardous Waste Disposal (opens in new tab) · City of New Berlin
  • Oil-based paints are accepted at Waukesha County HHW sites; latex paint, non-hazardous cleaners, motor oil and oil filters are not. 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.