The Recycling and Waste Reduction Law, 1989 Wis. Act 335, launched a vast, all-encompassing initiative to change the state's throwaway habits. The goal: to cut down on the amount of trash sent to Wisconsin landfills and incinerators each year- 6.7 million tons in 1990. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) administers Wisconsin’s solid waste and recycling programs. Chapter 287 of the Wisconsin Statutes implements Act 335. The state is given a limited regulatory role, with most of the obligation for implementation falling to local units of government called "responsible units." The statutes also prioritize waste management options from most to least desirable:

1. Waste Reduction
2. Reuse
3. Recycling
4. Composting
5. Incineration with energy recovery
6. Landfilling or landspreading of uncomposted waste (land disposal)
7. Incineration without energy recovery

The following items have been banned from either incineration or land disposal:

*Tires and used motor oil legally can be incinerated for energy recovery.
For highlights of recycling in Wisconsin, click here http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/aw/wm/recycle/