Recycling Calendar

RECYCLING 2023

State law bans the disposal of certain recyclables in landfills and requires municipalities to operate a recycling
program to manage those materials. City services include maintaining and operating the City Recycling Center
and providing bi-weekly curbside collection. The recycling fee was implemented to partially cover increasing
costs of the City’s recycling program. Recycling collection is done as a Single Stream Recycling System – meaning
they don’t have to be separated.

The city’s contract provides for one 18-gallon or one 96-gallon cart per residence (provided by the contracted
hauler). Containers placed curbside other than those provided will not be picked up. Recyclables can also be
dropped off at the recycling center free of charge during open hours. Carts and bins should be placed on the
curb by 7:00 a.m. on pick up day. Placing bins and carts on the sidewalk or curb longer than 24 hours prior to
pick-up is in violation of the ordinance and is subject to fines.

If you need a bin or cart, please contact city hall at (608) 687-7481. If you are not using your recycling bin or
cart, please contact city hall to arrange for pickup. Replacement costs for lost, stolen or broken containers are
the responsibility of the property owner at current cost.

RECYCLING CENTER OPEN HOURS 

Every other Saturday – 8:00-11:00 a.m. 

Tipping are listed below. The on-site attendant will collect fees and issue receipts. Items can only be dropped off during open hours. Dumping items outside the gate is prohibited and is subject to fines.

WHAT IS RECYCLABLE?

Plastics

• #1, 2, 4 & 5 plastic containers
• Yogurt cups, ketchup/mustard bottles
• Tubs, bottles, jugs, detergent containers

Glass Jars and Bottles of any color 

Cardboard and Paper

• Newspapers, shiny inserts, magazines, & catalogs (loose in bin/cart -OR- bundle & tie and place next to bin/cart)

• Any type of corrugated boxes (place loose in bin/cart if it fits -OR- bundle & tie and place next to bin/cart)

• Pressed paper and office paper
• Soda, pizza (unsoiled), and beer boxes
• Egg cartons and phone books
• Mail, junk mail, and envelopes (plastic windows are ok)
• Cereal, cracker, and snack boxes
• Toothpaste, soap, and detergent boxes
• Cards, gift wrap (no tissue or foil paper)
• Shredded paper (place in paper bag)

Cartons – Food and Beverage

• Milk cartons (dairy, soy, almond)
• Juice, soup, broth & wine cartons

Metals

• Aluminum, tin steel cans
• Empty aerosol cans, empty paint cans/lids
• Aluminum foil, pie plates, containers (cannot be soiled with food)
• Wire clothes hangers
• Christmas lights, extension cords, electrical wiring (no coaxial cable)
• Metal pots and pans

WHAT IS NOT RECYCLABLE?

• Garbage
• Food waste
• Plastic bags or wrap
• Food-tainted items
• Ceramics & dishware
• Windows & mirrors
• Packing peanuts or bubble wrap
• Photographs
• Medical waste
• Polystyrene or Styrofoam
• Hazardous chemical containers
• Plastic toys or sporting goods
• Foam egg cartons
• Wood
• Light bulbs
• Yard waste

City of Fountain City Recycling Fee Information 

Why a recycling fee? A recycling fee is necessary to cover the increasing costs of the City’s recycling program. Services include maintaining and operating the City Recycling Center and providing bi-weekly curbside collection. The center accepts recyclable materials (at no charge) and other items (for a tipping fee) as noted on the website and in the annual recycling flyer. The City can no longer continue to subsidize these services at the current level with General Fund tax dollars. 

When is the recycling fee effective? City ordinance #63 was adopted on 12/08/20. This ordinance replaced ordinance #57 and established a monthly recycling fee as determined annually by the Common Council. The current fee is set at $3/month per residential unit. The recycling fee is effective as of April 1, 2021 and will be billed quarterly.   

Who does this apply to? Under the City of Fountain City’s recycling program, each residential unit shall be charged the monthly recycling fee. All other owners of non-residential locations must provide recycling collection service at their own expense.

Who has to recycle? Everyone in Wisconsin must recycle. State law bans the disposal of certain recyclables in landfills. It also requires every municipality in the state to operate a recycling program to manage those materials. The City contracts with Waste Transport for curbside and recycling center services.