Madison apartment owners, asset managers, and on-site property managers: Wisconsin’s statewide recycling law and Madison’s local ordinance make multifamily recycling a must-have, not a nice-to-have. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling program is engineered to align with Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 287, NR 544 (Effective Recycling Programs), and Madison General Ordinances §10.18 (Collection of Refuse and Recycling of Waste) so you can give residents the amenity they expect while avoiding escalating forfeitures.
Within the City of Madison, every multifamily building is covered by Wisconsin’s Responsible Unit (RU) recycling requirements and local ordinance. Property managers must provide separate recycling containers for materials banned from landfill disposal, notify residents in writing at move-in and at least twice a year, and arrange collection and delivery to a recycling facility. Updated state rules now require multifamily properties to provide enough recycling capacity (for example, at least 20 gallons of recycling container volume per dwelling unit per week or a maximum 2:1 trash-to-recycling container volume ratio) so that containers do not overflow between collections. Failure to comply can trigger local forfeitures in the $50–$500 per-day range and additional penalties under state law.
- Protect NOI & Asset Value: Reduce risk of daily forfeitures for improper disposal or failure to provide recycling by aligning your program with Madison General Ordinances §10.18 and Wisconsin’s recycling mandates.
- Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep collection keeps residents out of icy enclosures, reduces trips to dumpsters, and supports renewals, online reputation, and ESG reporting.
- Code-Smart Design: Container layouts, labels, and service frequencies are designed around NR 544 capacity standards and Madison/Dane County inspector expectations.
- Hands-Off Compliance: We handle hauler coordination, resident education, and documentation so your team can focus on leasing and operations.
At a Glance: City of Madison vs. Dane County & Other Cities
City of Madison (Inside City Limits)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory recycling and mandatory provision of recycling service for all multifamily housing under Wis. Stat. ch. 287, NR 544, and MGO §10.18.
- Applicability Threshold: Applies to all multifamily buildings within city limits (no minimum unit count; if it is a multifamily building, it is covered).
- Property Manager Duties: Provide adequate, separate recycling containers for all required materials; ensure the total volume of recycling containers is sufficient (e.g., at least 20 gallons per dwelling unit per week or a maximum 2:1 trash-to-recycling volume ratio); prevent recycling container overflow between collections; place recycling containers in safe, reasonably convenient locations for residents.
- Program Duties: Notify each resident in writing about the recycling program at move-in and at least twice per year; explain what can be recycled, how to prepare it, and where to set it out; arrange regular collection and delivery to a recycling facility; keep areas clean and accessible for both residents and collection crews.
- Key City & State Links: City of Madison – Trash & Recycling (Streets & Urban Forestry) · Madison General Ordinances – Chapter 10 (including §10.18) · Wisconsin DNR – Responsible Unit Recycling Programs · DNR Guide – Recycling for Owners of Apartments & Other Multi-Family Housing (WA-1638)
Dane County & Other Dane County Cities
- Mandate Type: Mandatory recycling through local RU ordinances in every city (Madison, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Monona, Stoughton, Verona, Edgerton) and most villages/towns. Dane County coordinates solid waste planning, but day-to-day multifamily enforcement is handled by the municipalities.
- Applicability Threshold: Local ordinances implementing Wisconsin’s recycling law apply broadly to all multifamily housing; property managers are obligated to support resident recycling and comply with landfill disposal bans.
- Program Duties: Provide separate containers, adequate capacity, written notifications at move-in and semi-annually, and reliable collection for recyclables. Many local codes mirror the state model language requiring containers, education, and delivery to a recycling facility.
- Risk Profile: Even outside Madison, properties can face municipal forfeitures for violating local recycling ordinances, as well as penalties under state law for disposing of banned materials with trash.
- How National Doorstep Helps: We design valet trash & recycling programs that meet or exceed RU and municipal requirements so your communities are “inspection ready” across Madison, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Monona, Stoughton, Verona, and Edgerton.
Dane County Cities & Apartment Recycling Mandates
Every city in Dane County operates under Wisconsin’s comprehensive recycling law and implements a Responsible Unit (RU) program. That means each city has a local recycling ordinance that requires residents to separate recyclables and requires owners and property managers of multifamily housing to provide containers, education, and collection. Details and enforcement practices vary, but the underlying mandate is consistent across the county.
| City | Apartment Recycling Mandate? | Notes for Owners & Property Managers |
|---|---|---|
| Madison | Yes – Local RU ordinance + MGO §10.18 |
As the county seat and largest city, Madison is its own Responsible Unit and enforces recycling via Madison General Ordinances §10.18 and related provisions. Multifamily properties must:
Key local links: City of Madison – Trash & Recycling |
| Sun Prairie | Yes – RU recycling ordinance |
The City of Sun Prairie is an RU and must maintain a recycling ordinance that mirrors state requirements. Multifamily property managers are expected to:
provide separate recycling containers, inform residents at move-in and semi-annually, and ensure recyclables are collected and delivered to a recycling facility. Solid-waste and property maintenance codes support enforcement when enclosures are overflowing or unsanitary. Key local links: City of Sun Prairie – Official Site |
| Fitchburg | Yes – RU recycling ordinance |
Fitchburg operates a citywide recycling program and implements Wisconsin’s RU requirements. Multifamily buildings are treated as part of the municipal recycling system; owners and property managers must provide containers, resident education, and adequate service to prevent overflow and improper disposal. Key local links: City of Fitchburg – Official Site |
| Middleton | Yes – RU recycling ordinance |
Middleton participates in Dane County’s solid waste planning and maintains its own recycling ordinance as a Responsible Unit. Multifamily properties are expected to follow the state model: adequate, separate recycling containers, written resident notifications, and reliable collection to a recycling facility. Key local links: City of Middleton – Official Site |
| Monona | Yes – RU recycling ordinance |
Monona enforces recycling through a local ordinance aligned with Wisconsin’s recycling law. Apartments are typically served through municipal contracts or approved haulers; property managers are responsible for resident education and ensuring recyclables are not disposed of with trash. Key local links: City of Monona – Official Site |
| Stoughton | Yes – RU recycling ordinance |
Stoughton provides garbage and recycling services through its Department of Public Works. Under state RU rules, multifamily property managers must provide containers, notify residents, and ensure recyclables are collected and delivered to a recycling facility. Key local links: City of Stoughton – Official Site |
| Verona | Yes – RU recycling ordinance |
Verona maintains a local recycling program and ordinance; multifamily housing is required to participate. Property managers are expected to provide adequate container capacity, clear instructions, and routine collection that prevents contamination and overflow. Key local links: City of Verona – Official Site |
| Edgerton (partly in Dane County) | Yes – RU recycling ordinance |
Edgerton spans Rock and Dane Counties but is still subject to Wisconsin’s recycling law and RU framework. Multifamily properties must follow the local RU ordinance: provide containers, educate residents, and ensure recyclables are kept separate from trash and delivered to a recycling facility. Key local links: City of Edgerton – Official Site |
Madison & Wisconsin Recycling Fines & Penalties Snapshot
- Local Forfeitures – Madison: Under Madison General Ordinances §10.18 penalty provisions, violations of key recycling and separation requirements are generally subject to a forfeiture of $50–$200 per offense within a 12-month period, and $100–$500 per offense for a third and subsequent violation within that period. Each day a violation continues may be treated as a separate offense.
- State-Level Penalties – Wisconsin: Under Wis. Stat. §287.95, improper disposal or incineration of banned recyclable materials can result in forfeitures starting at $50 and escalating up to $2,000 for third and subsequent violations, depending on the specific subsection violated.
- Each Day = Separate Exposure: If a multifamily site lacks required recycling containers, fails to provide resident notifications, or continues to dispose of banned recyclables with trash after a notice, each day of non-compliance can generate additional forfeitures under local and state provisions.
- Shared Responsibility: Both property managers/owners and, in some cases, haulers may face enforcement when required recycling programs are not in place or when recyclables are routinely landfilled or incinerated.
- Risk Management Tip: Build a paper trail: keep signed hauler agreements, service logs, photos of container areas, resident education pieces, and copies of your local recycling plan and NR 544–aligned capacity calculations. This shows good-faith compliance if a notice of violation or citation is issued.
Madison & Dane County Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist
| Task | Action / Requirement | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Building Type | Verify whether your community is located in the City of Madison or another Dane County city (Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Monona, Stoughton, Verona, Edgerton). All are covered by Wisconsin’s recycling law and RU framework, but specific enforcement and outreach materials are local. Confirm your building is treated as multifamily housing under local code. | Wisconsin DNR – RU Recycling Programs · Madison – Trash & Recycling |
| ☑ Provide Adequate Containers & Capacity | Ensure you have separate, clearly labeled recycling containers for all required materials. Follow NR 544’s capacity benchmark: at least 20 gallons of recycling space per dwelling unit per week or a maximum 2:1 trash-to-recycling container volume ratio, with no overflow between collections. Match container size and pickup frequency to your resident volume and waste stream. | NR 544 – Effective Recycling Programs · DNR Guide – Multi-Family Recycling |
| ☑ Write & Maintain a Site Recycling Plan | Prepare a simple Multifamily Recycling Plan summarizing: your hauler, service frequency, container sizes, accepted materials, container locations, and procedures for contamination and overflow. Keep it on file, update it when service changes, and be ready to share with inspectors or lenders. | Wisconsin DNR – Recycling Resources |
| ☑ Resident Education & Signage | Provide clear, recurring resident education at move-in and at least twice per year as required by state guidance. Explain: what materials are recyclable, how to prepare them, where containers are located, and how any valet trash & recycling service works. Use signage at enclosures, common areas, and digital channels so residents know exactly what to do. | DNR – Renter’s Guide to Recycling (WA-1633) · DNR – Basic Requirements for RU Programs (WA-1593) |
| ☑ Coordinate With a Compliant Hauler | Confirm your current vendor can properly handle recyclables and understands Wisconsin’s landfill bans. If you only have trash service, you are at risk: add recycling collection and align service levels with your container plan so residents always have space in recycling carts or dumpsters. | DNR – Notification of Recycling Requirements for Haulers (WA-425) |
| ☑ Document Service, Inspections & Issues | Maintain a compliance file with service logs, hauler invoices, photos of container areas, resident communications, contamination notices, and capacity calculations. This documentation helps you respond to complaints, show due diligence to inspectors, and demonstrate compliance to owners, investors, and lenders. | Madison Streets & Urban Forestry – Contact & Resources |
Want to stay out of the $50–$500/day forfeiture zone? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Madison or Dane County property. We’ll review your current setup, right-size containers and service to NR 544 standards, design a resident-friendly valet trash & recycling program, and prepare the inspector-ready documentation you need to show alignment with Wisconsin’s recycling law and Madison/Dane County requirements.
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