[Code 1982, § 11.09; amended 4-28-2026 by Ord. No. 1541]
(1) 
Findings and declaration of purpose. The council of the City of Marshfield hereby finds and determines that there is an increasing necessity to conserve natural resources and landfill space and to promote recycling as mandated by state law. It is the purpose of this chapter to promote recycling, composting, and resource recovery through the administration of a mandatory recycling program, as provided in § 287.11 Wis. Stats., and chapter NR 544, Wisconsin Administrative Code, by the city in order to protect and promote the public health, safety, and welfare.
(2) 
Supervision. The collection of garbage, recyclable materials, and refuse, as defined in this section, shall be under the supervision of the board of public works, which shall make such regulations as are necessary regarding the time and method of collection of garbage and recyclable materials. The enforcement of health regulations relating to garbage and refuse disposal shall be designated as the responsibility of the director of public works or his designee.
(3) 
Statutory authority. This chapter is adopted as authorized under § 287.09(3)(b) Wis. Stats.
(4) 
Abrogation and greater restrictions. It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul, impair or interfere with any existing rules, regulations, codes, or permits previously adopted or issued pursuant to law. However, whenever this chapter imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this chapter shall apply.
(5) 
Interpretation. In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any other power granted by the Wisconsin Statutes. Where any terms or requirements of this chapter may be inconsistent or conflicting, the more restrictive requirements or interpretation shall apply. Where a provision of this chapter is required by Wisconsin Statutes, or by a standard in chapter NR 544, Wisconsin Administrative Code, and where the chapter provision is unclear, the provision shall be interpreted in light of the Wisconsin Statutes or chapter NR 544 standards in effect on the date of the adoption of the ordinance from which this chapter derives or in effect on the date of the most recent text amendment to this chapter.
(6) 
Applicability. The requirements of this chapter shall apply to all occupants of single family and two-to four-unit residences, multiple-family dwellings and nonresidential facilities and properties within the corporate boundaries of the city.
(7) 
Administration. The provisions of this chapter shall be administered by the council.
(8) 
Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
ALUMINUM CANS
Shall include used beverage cans only.
BAGS
Shall be clear, plastic bags designated for refuse, with sufficient wall strength to maintain physical integrity when lifted by the top and with a capacity not to exceed a loaded weight of more than 50 pounds.
BI-METAL CONTAINER
Means a container for carbonated or malt beverages that is made primarily of a combination of steel and aluminum.
CART
Means a wheeled, rollout receptacle provided by the City or collector for the collection of residential solid waste and the collection of recyclables. Carts for the collection of residential solid waste shall be distinguished from carts for recyclables by color.
COLLECTOR
Means the person, firm, or corporation specifically authorized by the Common Council to collect recyclables and residential solid waste from residential units located within the City.
CONTAINER BOARD
Means corrugated paperboard used in the manufacture of shipping containers and related products.
CURBSIDE
Means a location that is within three feet of the curb and on the paved surface of the public or private road, within the resident drive approach or along the alley way or placed as close to the roadway or alleyway as practicable without interfering with or endangering the movement of vehicles or pedestrians and at least five feet away from obstructions; or, such other location designated by collector as a result of alleyways or other tight spaces, the number of carts to be placed for collection are too great for the available area, or access to a residential unit or cart by contractor’s equipment may be impractical or infeasible.
FOAM POLYSTYRENE PACKAGING
Means packaging made primarily from foam polystyrene that satisfies one of the following criteria:
(a) 
Is designed for serving food or beverages.
(b) 
Consists of loose particles intended to fill space and cushion the packaged article in a shipping container.
(c) 
Consists of rigid materials shaped to hold and cushion the packaged article in a shipping container.
GLASS CONTAINER
Means a glass bottle, jar, or other packaging container used to contain a product that is the subject of a retail sale, and does not include ceramic cups, dishes, ovenware, plate glass, safety and window glass, heat-resistant glass such as Pyrex, lead-based glass such as crystal, or TV tubes.
HDPE
Means high-density polyethylene plastic containers labeled by the resin code #2.
LDPE
Means low-density polyethylene plastic containers labeled by the resin code #4.
MAGAZINES
Means magazines and other materials printed on similar paper.
MAJOR APPLIANCES
Means a residential or commercial air conditioner, clothes dryer, clothes washer, dishwasher, freezer, oven, microwave oven, refrigerator, furnace, boiler, dehumidifier, water heater, or stove.
MIXED PAPERS
Shall include all grades of papers including white, colored, ledger, shiny, coated, carbonless or NCR papers; envelopes including window, labeled and kraft; magazines; catalogs; phone books; computer printout paper; glued pads and tablets; file folders; keypunch cards; spiral notebooks; cereal boxes; shoe boxes; etc., and can include clips and staples, but may not include hand towels or other paper products from restrooms or soiled napkins and paper plates. The term "mixed papers" also does not include carbon paper, cellophane, or any waxed paper.
MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING
Means a property containing five or more residential units, including those which are occupied seasonally.
NEWSPAPERS
Shall include newspapers and newspaper advertisements only. The term "newspapers" does not include mixed paper as defined in this subsection.
NON-RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND PROPERTIES
Means commercial, retail, industrial, institutional, and governmental facilities and properties. Non-residential facilities and properties include any location at which goods or services are provided or manufactured, including locations under construction, demolition, or remodeling, or used for special events such as fairs, festivals, sports venues, conferences, and exhibits. The term does not include multi-family dwellings.
OFFICE PAPER
Means a variety of high-grade printing and writing papers. This term does not include industrial process waste, newspaper, or packaging.
OTHER RESINS AND MULTIPLE RESINS
Means plastic resins labeled by the resin code #7.
PERSON
Includes any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, or local governmental unit as defined in § 66.0131(1)(a), Wis. Stats., state agency or authority, or federal agency.
PETE or PET
Means polyethylene terephthalate labeled by the resin code #1.
PLASTIC CONTAINER
Means an individual, separate, rigid plastic bottle, can, jar, or carton, except for a blister pack, that is originally used to contain a product that is the subject of a retail sale. This does not include motor oil bottles.
POST-CONSUMER WASTE
Means solid waste other than solid waste generated in the production of goods, hazardous waste as defined in § 291.01(7) Wis. Stats., waste from construction and demolition of structures, scrap automobiles, or high-volume industrial waste, as defined in § 289.01(17) Wis. Stats.
PP
Means polypropylene, labeled by the resin code #5.
PS
Means polystyrene labeled by the resin code #6.
PVC
Means polyvinyl chloride labeled by the resin code #3.
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Includes lead-acid batteries; major appliances; waste oil; yard waste; aluminum containers; corrugated paper or other container board; foam polystyrene packaging; glass containers; magazines; newspaper; office paper; rigid plastic containers, including those made of PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, and other resins or multiple resins; steel containers; waste tires; and bi-metal containers.
RESIDENTIAL UNIT
Means the following dwelling units located within the City of Marshfield: single-family detached dwellings; each unit of a duplex, triplex, or fourplex; mobile homes; residential condominium units located in a structure which contains not more than 15 residential dwelling units; and a single-family dwelling unit located within or attached to a building which contains not more than one commercial use and not more than one single-family dwelling unit. Residential multi-family dwellings of five or more units, other than the foregoing described residential condominium units, are excluded.
SOLID WASTE
Means any garbage, refuse, sludge from a waste treatment plant, water supply treatment plant or air pollution control facility and other discarded or salvageable materials, including solid, liquid, semisolid or containing gaseous materials resulting from industrial, commercial mining and agricultural operations and from community activities. “Solid waste” does not include solids or dissolved material in domestic sewage or solid or dissolved materials in irrigation return flows or industrial discharges which are point sources subject to permits under Ch. 283, Wis. Stats., slag generated by the production or processing of iron or steel and that is managed as an item of value in a controlled manner and is not discarded, source material, as defined in § 254.31(10), Wis. Stats., special nuclear material, as defined in § 254.31(11), Wis. Stats., or by-product materials, as defined in § 254.31(1), Wis. Stats. “Solid waste” does not include post-use plastics or nonrecycled feedstock that are processed at a pyrolysis or gasification facility; that are held at a pyrolysis or gasification facility, prior to processing at the facility where they are being held, to ensure that production is not interrupted; or that are held off site before delivery to a pyrolysis or gasification facility with the intent that they will be processed at a pyrolysis or gasification facility.
SOLID WASTE FACILITY
Means a facility for solid waste treatment, solid waste storage or solid waste disposal and includes commercial, industrial, municipal, state and federal establishments or operations such as, without limitation because of enumeration, sanitary landfills, dumps, land disposal sites, incinerators, transfer stations, storage facilities, collection and transportation services and processing treatment and recovery facilities using large machines to produce a principal product of scrap metal for sale or use for remelting purposes. The term "solid waste facility" includes the land where the facility is located. The term "solid waste facility" does not include a facility for the processing of scrap iron, steel, or nonferrous metal. The term "solid waste facility" does not include a facility which uses large machines to sort, grade, compact, or bale clean wastepaper fibers or plastics, not mixed with other solid waste, for sale or used for recycling purposes. The term "solid waste facility" does not include an auto junkyard or scrap salvage yard. “Solid waste facility” does not include a pyrolysis facility or a gasification facility.
SOLID WASTE TREATMENT
Means any method, technique, or process which is designed to change the physical, chemical, or biological character or composition of solid waste. “Treatment” includes incineration.
WASTE TIRE
Means a tire that is no longer suitable for its original purpose because of wear, damage, or defect.
YARD WASTE
Means leaves, grass clippings, yard and garden debris, and brush, including clean woody vegetative material no greater than six inches in diameter. The term "yard waste" does not include stumps, roots, or shrubs with intact root balls.
[Code 1982, § 11.10; amended 4-28-2026 by Ord. No. 1541]
(1) 
Required. Occupants of a residential unit within the City of Marshfield are required to use a City-approved wheeled refuse cart with a tight-fitting lid (“cart”). Waste not contained in a cart, or spills from broken bags or carts, will not be picked up by collection crews. Before placing any solid waste in a cart for collection, every occupant of a residential unit shall drain the solid waste free of water so that the cart shall contain relatively dry materials.
(2) 
Carts required; garbage cans prohibited; care and responsibility. Solid waste for regular collection shall not be set out in garbage cans, barrels, boxes, open containers, or other receptacles. Carts shall be of a type and size approved by the Board of Public Works. Carts shall at all times remain the property of the contractor. Each user shall be responsible for maintaining the cart in reasonably good condition, normal wear and tear excepted. Each user shall have the care, custody, and control of any cart furnished and be responsible and liable for the loss or damage, cleanliness, and safekeeping of the cart. The City’s contractor shall have the right to charge the user the cost of repair or replacement and delivery required as a result of abuse, misuse, or damage, and for loss or damage due to fire or theft.
(3) 
Storage and collection. Carts shall be set out on the scheduled collection days at an easily accessible place on the premises at ground level as directed by the Board of Public Works. Carts shall be easily accessible during the winter months. Carts shall not be set out more than 12 hours before the day of collection and shall be removed no later than 24 hours after collection. No refuse containers of any type shall be located so they are visible from the front of the property, except in cases of scheduled pickup. Carts shall be placed for collection at least five feet away from all objects, including other carts, mailboxes, parked vehicles, trees, and similar obstructions, with the lid opening facing the street and the wheels facing the residence, to allow collection equipment sufficient space to safely lift and empty the carts.
(4) 
Contents of containers. Carts shall only contain post-consumer waste. No hot cinders, ashes, or any smoldering embers shall be placed in a refuse container at any time. Cart lids shall be closed, and carts should be so protected as to prevent the admission of snow and water. Frozen contents that are difficult to remove without possible damage to the containers will not be collected.
[Code 1982, § 11.18; amended 4-28-2026 by Ord. No. 1541]
(1) 
Charges for collection service. A reasonable charge may be made for any collection service given by the City of Marshfield under this section, whether such charge is based upon the time, method, or manner of such collection or upon the kind of garbage or refuse when such collection service consists of special services. The board of public works shall determine what collection service shall be a special service and shall also set the fee to be charged in each case. Such regulations shall be published in the same manner as codes and shall have equal effect.
(2) 
Building waste. All waste resulting from remodeling, construction, or removal of a building, roadway, or sidewalk shall be disposed of by the owner, builder, or contractor.
(3) 
Non-resident disposal. No person shall bring waste for disposal into the City of Marshfield unless such person is authorized to do so by the Board of Public Works.
(4) 
Unacceptable waste. No cart shall contain: hazardous waste as defined in § 291.05(1), (2) or (4), Wis. Stats.; all materials or items prohibited from disposal or incineration at a solid waste disposal facility pursuant to § 287.07, Wis. Stats., including but not limited to waste tires, lead-acid batteries, remodeling or demolition materials, new construction debris, concrete, bricks, paving materials, and soil; large tree debris, stumps, and shrubs with intact root balls; and electronic devices.
(5) 
Storage of waste material. Storage of waste material shall be in accordance with the following:
(a) 
Ownership. All combustible and noncombustible matter collected by city trucks or authorized vehicles shall be the property of the city. Transfer of ownership is completed upon disposition into the trucks by the collection personnel.
(b) 
Storing of refuse. Every owner, tenant, or person occupying any building is responsible for the proper storage of waste materials. Any accumulation of refuse, garbage, or building waste on any premises in the city is a nuisance and is prohibited. The owner of the premises upon which the accumulation takes place shall be responsible for removal of the accumulation, and upon failure to remove it after written notice by the fire chief or the building services supervisor, the city shall cause the removal of the accumulation and place the cost thereof on the tax roll of the property upon which the accumulation takes place.
(c) 
Dumping solid waste and yard waste. No person shall rake, deposit, throw, place, or leave any solid waste or yard waste upon any highway, street, court, lane, alley, or other public way, park, vacant lot, yard, body of water, or any other place except in an appropriate solid waste or recycling container required in this chapter for those purposes.
[Code 1982, § 11.19; amended 4-28-2026 by Ord. No. 1541]
(1) 
For the purpose of ascertaining compliance with the provisions of this chapter, any authorized officer, employee, or representative of the city, including the collector, may inspect recyclable materials separated for recycling, post-consumer waste intended for disposal, collection sites and facilities, collection vehicles, collection areas of multi-family dwellings and non-residential facilities and properties, solid waste disposal facilities and solid waste treatment facilities, and any records relating to recycling activities, which shall be kept confidential when necessary to protect proprietary information. No person may refuse access to any authorized officer, employee, or authorized representative of the City or licensed hauler who requests access for purposes of inspection and who presents appropriate credentials. No person may obstruct, hamper, or interfere with such an inspection.
(2) 
Any person who violates a provision of this chapter may be issued a citation by the city police to collect forfeitures. The issuance of a citation shall not preclude proceeding under any other code or law relating to the same or any other matter. Proceeding under any other code or law relating to the same or any other matter shall not preclude the issuance of a citation under this subsection.
(3) 
Penalties for violating this chapter may be assessed as follows:
(a) 
Any person who violates § 12-67 may be required to forfeit $50 for a first violation, $200 for a second violation, and not more than $2,000 for a third or subsequent violation.
(b) 
Any person who violates a provision of this chapter, except § 12-67, may be required to forfeit not less than $10 or more than $1,000 for each violation.
[Code 1982, § 11.11; amended 4-28-2026 by Ord. No. 1541]
(1) 
Required. Occupants of single-family and two- to four-unit residences, multi-family dwellings, and non-residential facilities and properties shall separate the following materials from post-consumer waste:
(a) 
Lead-acid batteries;
(b) 
Major appliances;
(c) 
Waste oil;
(d) 
Yard waste;
(e) 
Aluminum containers;
(f) 
Bi-metal containers;
(g) 
Corrugated paper or other container board;
(h) 
Foam polystyrene packaging;
(i) 
Glass containers;
(j) 
Magazines;
(k) 
Newspaper;
(l) 
Office paper;
(m) 
Rigid plastic containers made of PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, and other resins or multiple resins;
(n) 
Steel containers;
(o) 
Waste tires.
(2) 
Designation of recyclable materials. The council reserves the right to designate additional solid waste materials as recyclable, or currently collected materials as no longer recyclable, in accordance with state law, and to either add or delete them from any collection services provided by the city or its contractors. The City of Marshfield shall provide written notice to service recipients of any additional designation or deletion.
(3) 
Care of recyclable materials. To the greatest extent practicable, the recyclable materials separated in accordance with this section shall be clean and kept free of contaminants such as food or product residue, oil or grease, or other nonrecyclable materials, including but not limited to household hazardous waste, medical waste, and agricultural chemical containers. Recyclable materials shall be stored in a manner which protects them from wind, rain, and other inclement weather conditions.
[Added 4-28-2026 by Ord. No. 1541]
The separation requirements of § 12-61 do not apply to the following:
(1) 
Occupants of single-family and two- to four-unit residences, multi-family dwellings and non-residential facilities and properties that send their postconsumer waste to a processing facility licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that recovers the materials specified in § 12-61 from solid waste in as pure a form as is technically feasible.
(2) 
Solid waste which is burned as a supplement fuel at a facility if less than 30 % of the heat input to the facility is derived from the solid waste burned as supplement fuel.
(3) 
A recyclable material specified in § 12-61(1)(e) through (o) for which a variance has been granted by the Department of Natural Resources under § 287.11(2m), Wis. Stats., or § NR 544.14, Wis. Adm. Code.
[Code 1982, § 11.12; amended 4-28-2026 by Ord. No. 1541]
(1) 
Except as otherwise directed by the council, occupants of single-family and two- to four-unit residences shall do the following for the preparation and collection of the separated materials specified in § 12-61(1)(e) through (o) of this Code. In no event shall plastic bags be allowed in recycling cart:
(a) 
Aluminum containers shall be empty and shall include used beverage cans only.
(b) 
Bi-metal containers shall be clean, and labels must be removed. Containers with molded or round bottoms can be recycled without the molded or round bottom removed, provided the can has been rinsed and labels have been removed.
(c) 
Corrugated paper or other container board, not to exceed 24 inches by 36 inches, shall be clean and flattened.
(d) 
Glass containers shall be clean. Labels can remain on glass. Glass should not be broken.
(e) 
Mixed papers shall be placed in a recycling cart.
(f) 
Newspaper shall be placed in a recycling cart.
(g) 
Plastic containers shall be cleaned and flattened. Caps must be removed; labels and neck rings can remain on plastic.
(h) 
Waste tires shall be recycled at a retail business that sells tires or automotive products or at a solid waste facility. Any fee charged for the recycling of used tires shall be the responsibility of the generator.
(2) 
The hauler has the right to reject or leave at the curb any recyclable material or solid waste that is not prepared according to the specifications of Subsection (1) of this section, or in the regulations provided by the contractor or the City of Marshfield to the service recipients. Materials may also be rejected if not separated from solid waste, not placed in the proper container, or not designated recyclable materials or solid waste for collection. The hauler also has the right to refuse to pick up any solid waste if it contains recyclable containers and materials. In such cases, the hauler shall notify the generator of materials in writing by means of putting a red tag on it listing the reasons for rejecting the items.
[Code 1982, § 11.13; amended by Ord. No. 1418, 9-24-2019; 4-28-2026 by Ord. No. 1541]
Occupants of single-family and two- to four-unit residences, multi-family dwellings, and non-residential facilities and properties shall manage lead-acid batteries, major appliances, waste oil, and yard waste as follows:
(1) 
Lead-acid batteries shall be recycled at a retail business that sells lead-acid batteries and accepts used batteries for the purpose of recycling or at a solid waste facility. Any fee imposed for the recycling of used batteries shall be the responsibility of the generator.
(2) 
Major appliances shall be recycled at a retail business that sells appliances and accepts used appliances for the purpose of recycling, at a scrap metal dealer, or at a solid waste facility that accepts appliances for the purpose of recycling. Any fee imposed for the recycling of used appliances shall be the responsibility of the generator.
(3) 
Waste oil shall be recycled at a retail business that sells oil or automotive products and accepts oil for the purpose of recycling, at an oil refinery, or at a solid waste facility. Any fee imposed for the recycling of used oil shall be the responsibility of the generator.
(4) 
Yard waste shall either be home-composted using an effective backyard compost system or transported to a designated compost site. All such materials shall not be tied in bundles or contained in any manner. No yard waste shall be disposed of as general waste.
[Code 1982, § 11.14; amended 4-28-2026 by Ord. No. 1541]
(1) 
Owners or designated agents of multi-family dwellings shall do all of the following to recycle the materials specified in § 12-61(1)(e) through (o) of this Code:
(a) 
Provide adequate, separate containers for the recycling program established in compliance with this chapter. The number of recycling containers shall equal or be greater than the number of trash containers, and at least one of the following shall be met:
1. 
The minimum total volume of recycling container space is equal to 20 gallons per week per dwelling unit.
2. 
The ratio of trash container volume to recycling container volume is at most 2:1.
3. 
An alternative method that does not result in the overflow of a recycling container during the time period between collection of materials and delivery to a recycling facility.
(b) 
Notify tenants in writing at the time of renting or leasing the dwelling and at least semi-annually thereafter about the established recycling program.
(c) 
Provide for the collection of the materials separated from the solid waste by the tenants, and the delivery of the materials to a recycling facility.
(d) 
Notify tenants which materials are collected and how to prepare materials in order to meet the processing requirements, collection methods or sites, and locations of drop-off collection sites to recycle materials not collected on-site.
(2) 
The requirements specified in Subsection (1) do not apply to the owners or designated agents of multi-family dwellings if the postconsumer waste generated within the facility or property is treated at a processing facility licensed by the Department of Natural Resources that recovers for recycling the materials specified in § 12-61(1)(e) through (o) from solid waste in as pure a form as is technically feasible.
[Added 4-28-2026 by Ord. No. 1541]
(1) 
Owners or designated agents of non-residential facilities and properties shall do all of the following to recycle the materials specified in § 12-61(1)(e) through (o) of this Code:
(a) 
Provide adequate, separate containers for the recycling program established under this section. The total volume of recycling containers shall be sufficient to avoid overflow during the time period between collection of materials and delivery to a recycling facility.
(b) 
Notify in writing, at least semi-annually, all users, tenants, and occupants of the properties about the established recycling program.
(c) 
Provide for the collection of the materials separated from the solid waste by the users, tenants, and occupants and the delivery of the materials to a recycling facility.
(d) 
Notify users, tenants, and occupants which materials are collected, how to prepare materials in order to meet the processing requirements, collection methods or sites, and locations of drop-off collection sites to recycle materials not collected on-site.
(2) 
The requirements specified in Subsection (1) do not apply to the owners or designated agents of nonresidential facilities and properties if the postconsumer waste generated within the facility or property is treated at a processing facility licensed by the Department of Natural Resources that recovers for recycling the materials specified in § 12-61(1)(e) through (o) from solid waste in as pure a form as is technically feasible.
[Code 1982, § 11.15; amended 4-28-2026 by Ord. No. 1541]
(1) 
Generally. No person may dispose of in a solid waste disposal facility or burn in a solid waste treatment facility any of the materials specified in § 12-61(1)(e) through (o) which have been separated for recycling, except waste tires may be burned with energy recovery in a solid waste treatment facility.
(2) 
Unlawful burning. It shall be unlawful for persons to burn or bury solid waste and recyclable materials on residential or nonresidential properties. Burning shall be permitted only of clean wood and combustible material which can be used to ignite clean wood, subject to the provisions of section 6-31 of this Code.