Recycling is Mandatory in Wisconsin 

Wisconsin law requires ALL citizens in Wisconsin to recycle at home and at work. The City provides each single family and two to four unit residence with a recycling cart and collection service for the recyclable materials.  In addition to curbside collection, the City provides drop off sites for recycling of tires, appliances, metals, motor oil, vehicle battery, and yard waste.  Several local private businesses provide recycling services in the Janesville area as well.

How To Recycle at the Curb

Place your recycling cart at the curb by 7 a.m. on your collection day, or collection crews may miss them. Please remember, all recyclables must be in your recycling cart (gray lid) with the lid substantially closed. If your recyclables aren't in the cart, they cannot be collected. Please reference the Cart Placement section of this website to learn where to place your recycling cart on collection day.

When to Recycle

Recyclables will be collected on your regular trash day, every other week. Trash is collected weekly. To determine on which weeks your recyclables will be collected, call the City Services Center at (608) 755-3110 or open the calendar and map on the Trash & Recycling Collection page.

What is Collected at Curb

Click here to view a larger version of the Mix All Recyclables graphic.

Note that an earlier version of this graphic stated that plastic shopping bags and block foam packaging are recyclable. Those items should not be placed in your cart.

You can co-mingle the following items in your recyclables cart for collection:

• Magazines and Newspapers;
• Cardboard (tape, twine, and staples may remain on boxes);
• Paper;
• Steel and Tin Cans;
• Aluminum Products;
• Glass Containers;
• Plastic Containers marked on the bottom with recycling numbers 1 - 7.

The following items are not recyclable and should be placed in your trash cart: 

• Pyrex
• Ceramics
• Crystal Dishes
• Windows
• Drinking glasses
• Mirrors
• Light bulbs (except CFLs)
• Toys
• Diapers
• Motor oil containers
• Moisture resistant/waxy papers like salt and pet food bags, ice cream drums, milk cartons, & frozen juice containers.
• Block foam packaging / styrofoam 
• Plastic shopping bags

Missed Collection

• Items placed outside of your recyclables cart.
• Prohibited items placed in your recyclables cart. 
• Your cart is blocked by a car or too close to other objects such as trees, mailboxes, or another cart.  Place your cart 3 feet from other objects.
• Cart placed out at the curb after 7 a.m.

If your collection has been missed, please contact City Services at (608) 755-3110 or take the recyclables to a private recycling center or the City Sanitary Landfill's recycling collection area.

If you are moving...

The recyclables cart you received is the property of the City of Janesville, and must remain at the residence to which it was issued. Please leave it behind for the new residents. You may keep any extra carts you purchased from City Services. If you do not have a cart at your new home, please call City Services.

Recycling at Multi-Family and Non-Residential Facilities

The law requires owners of multiple-family dwellings containing five or more units and nonresidential facilities (governmental, commercial and retail businesses, industries, and institutions) to establish recycling programs for their tenants, employees, and occupants. Please call the City Services Center or reference Multi-Family Dwelling program requirements. As required by law, the City has adopted these provisions within its ordinance system. The ordinance also gives the City enforcement & inspection authority.

Mixed Recyclables Now Collected at the City Sanitary Landfill

The City has established a public drop-off area for mixed recyclables at the Sanitary Landfill (525 Black Bridge Rd). These items will be accepted at no charge during the landfill's hours of operation:

• Mondays: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays - Fridays: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Saturdays: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The drop-off area will have limited access; therefore, the public may experience delays when depositing mixed recyclables. The drop-off area is for use by Janesville residents and generators of small quantities of recyclables only.  Large quantity generators cannot be accommodated and are advised to contact local area recycling companies to explore their collection options.

Please contact the City Services Center at (608) 755-3110 with any questions.

Other Recycling Programs

Please follow the links for information about proper disposal or recycling of the following materials: 

• Appliances
• Asphalt Shingles
• Electronic Waste
• Fluorescent Light Bulbs
• Medical & Household Hazardous Waste
• Oil Filters & Absorbents
• Plastic Bags
• Tires
• Oils -
  • Cooking oil - Large quantities can not be collected as part of the curbside collection program. Contact a grease disposal service or a renderer for disposal options.
  • Motor/Engine -  Take small quantities to the sanitary landfill for recycling or contact local auto repair facilities.  Waste oil that has been mixed with any other substance will NOT be accepted. Place oil in a secure container like a milk or laundry jug.
• Vehicle Batteries, including auto, marine, and motorcycle lead-acid batteries, can be dropped off at the sanitary landfill for recycling. 

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