Why Recycle
Why Recycle
Recycling saves you time and money
Save time! Place all recyclables in the cart.
Save money! Increased recyclables collection means less in the landfill so it lasts longer, and recycling revenue puts money in the City’s budget to pay for services that benefit you and your neighborhood.
Less mess! Carts stay closed even in bad weather, keeping recyclables in.
Recycling benefits our environment, our economy, and our community. It means a cleaner and greener Racine and it provides jobs. Recycling also saves the City of Racine money by keeping recyclables out of the landfill and allowing them to produce revenue when sold to industries that rely on them to manufacture new products.
For more information on the impact of your recycling habits, see Recycle More Wisconsin
Recycling FAQ
All residents in the City of Racine received a 65-gallon recycling cart or exchanged it for a 35 or 95-gallon cart.
For example, a single family residential home will receive one cart, a 2 family residential unit will receive 2 carts, a 3 family residential unit will receive 3 carts, and a 4 family residential unit will receive 4 carts.
If an owner of a multifamily residential unit wishes to receive a smaller number of a larger cart, we will work with them to meet their needs. Our goal is to maximize our recycling tonnages.
Check the cart lid for what goes in and what does not.
Do not place food contaminated containers (unless rinsed), shredded paper, styrofoam, plastic cards, hard cover books, window glass, mirrors, ceramics, light bulbs, paint cans, or any electronic devices in the cart.
Click the “beyond the cart” link to find other ways to recycle items not allowed in the recycling cart.
Empty and rinse containers. Flatten or cut cardboard so it fits in the cart without taking up a lot of space. Papers and magazines are placed in the cart loose.
Solid waste and garbage are not allowed in recycling cart.
Yes, all residents living in 4 family and smaller residential properties are expected to participate in the program.
Contact the Customer Service Department 262-636-9171
“Your cart will be delivered to you at your next recycling pick-up” ON A RECYCLING PICK UP DATE.
A $25 fee is charged for the switch and the cart is delivered to you at your next recycling pick-up.
Additional carts may be paid for as a lump sum by the property owner based upon the actual cost of the cart. Additional carts reduce collection speed and, therefore, the costs should be borne 100% by the person requesting these additional carts.
No, the cart is assigned to the property and remains there.
Every cart has an RFID tag embedded chip that will identify the cart. Once found, the city will return it to the owner at no cost.
You may qualify for special collection, at no cost to you, after completing forms available at the Customer Service Office.
