It is the purpose of this article to promote recycling, composting, and resource recovery through the administration of a mandatory recycling program, as provided in § 287.11, Wis. Stats., and Ch. NR 544, Wis. Adm. Code, by the Town of Trenton in order to protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare.
This article is authorized under § 287.09, Wis. Stats., and by the Town of Trenton.
It is not intended by this article to repeal, abrogate, annul, impair or interfere with any existing rules, regulations, ordinances or permits previously adopted or issued pursuant to law. However, whenever this article imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this article shall apply.
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this article 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 article may be inconsistent or conflicting, the more restrictive requirements or interpretation shall apply. Where a provision of this article is required by Wisconsin Statutes, or by a standard in Ch. NR 544, Wis. Adm. Code, and where the provision of this article is unclear, the provision shall be interpreted in light of the Wisconsin Statutes and the Ch. NR 544 standards in effect on the date of the adoption of this article, or in effect on the date of the most recent text amendment to this article.
The requirements of this article apply to all persons within the Town of Trenton, Washington County, Wisconsin.
The provisions of this article shall be administered by the Town Board of the Town of Trenton.
The provisions of this article shall take effect on January 1, 1995.
[Amended 12-15-2025 by Ord. No. 2025.12.01]
For the purpose of this article the following words and phrases shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section:
A container for carbonated or malt beverages that is made primarily of a combination of steel and aluminum.
Corrugated paperboard used in the manufacture of shipping containers and related products.
Those electronic devices banned from disposal in Wisconsin, as specified in § 287.07(5), Wis. Stats., including consumer computers, consumer printers and fax machines, consumer video display devices, computer and video display peripherals, DVD players, VCRs, digital video players/recorders and cellphones/telephones with a video display.
Packaging made primarily from foam polystyrene that satisfies one of the following criteria: is designed for serving food or beverages, consists of loose particles intended to fill space and cushion the packaged article in a shipping container, or consists of rigid materials shaped to hold and cushion the packaged article in a shipping container.
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, oven ware, plate glass, safety and window glass, heat-resistant glass such as Pyrex, lead-based glass such as crystal, or TV tubes.
High-density polyethylene plastic containers marked by the SPI Code No. 2.
Scrap metal other than appliances.
Low-density polyethylene plastic containers marked by the SPI Code No. 4.
Magazines and other materials printed on similar paper.
A residential or commercial air conditioner, clothes dryer, clothes washer, dishwasher, freezer, oven, microwave oven (only if the capacitor has been removed), refrigerator, stove, furnace, boiler, dehumidifier, or water heater.
Plastic containers marked by the SPI Code No. 7.
A property containing five or more residential units, including those which are occupied seasonally.
Include newspapers and other materials printed on newsprint.
Commercial, retail, industrial, institutional and governmental facilities and properties. "Nonresidential facilities and properties" includes 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, sport venues, conferences, and exhibits. This term does not include multiple-family dwellings.
A variety of high-grade printing and writing papers. Printed white ledger and computer printout are examples of office paper generally accepted as high-grade. This term does not include industrial process waste, newspaper or packaging.
Includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, local governmental unit, as defined in § 66.0131(1)(a), Wis. Stats., state agency or authority, or federal agency.
Polyethylene terephthalate plastic containers marked by the SPI Code No. 1.
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.
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, heavy frames, or high-volume industrial waste, as defined in § 289.01(17), Wis. Stats.
Polypropylene plastic containers marked by the SPI Code No. 5.
Polystyrene plastic containers marked by the SPI Code No. 6.
Polyvinyl chloride plastic containers marked by the SPI Code No. 3.
Includes lead acid batteries; major appliances; waste oil; yard waste; aluminum containers; corrugated paper or other container board; foam polystyrene packaging; glass containers; magazines; newspapers; office paper; plastic containers, including those made of PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, and mixed or other plastic resin types; steel containers; waste tires; and bimetal containers.
The meaning specified in § 281.01(33), Wis. Stats.
The meaning specified in § 289.01(35), Wis. Stats.
Any method, technique or process which is designed to change the physical, chemical or biological character or composition of solid waste. "Treatment" includes incineration.
A tire that is no longer suitable for its original purpose because of wear, damage or defect.
Leaves, grass clippings, yard and garden debris and brush, including clean woody vegetative material no greater than six inches in diameter. This term does not include stumps, roots or shrubs with intact root balls.
[Amended 12-15-2025 by Ord. No. 2025.12.01]
A.
Separation required. Occupants of single-family and two- to four-unit residences, multiple-family dwellings and nonresidential facilities and properties shall separate the following materials from post-consumer waste:
(1)
Lead acid batteries.
(2)
Major appliances.
(3)
Waste oil.
(4)
Yard waste.
(5)
Aluminum containers.
(6)
Bimetal containers.
(7)
Corrugated paper or other container board.
(8)
Foam polystyrene packaging.
(9)
Glass containers.
(10)
Magazines or other materials printed on similar paper.
(11)
Newspapers or other materials printed on newsprint.
(12)
Office paper.
(13)
Rigid plastic containers made of PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, and mixed or other plastic resin types.
(14)
Steel containers.
(15)
Waste tires.
(16)
Electronic waste.
B.
Changes in requirements. The Town of Trenton 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 Town or its contractors. The Town of Trenton shall provide written notice to service recipients of this declaration.
[Amended 12-15-2025 by Ord. No. 2025.12.01]
The separation requirements of § 338-29 do not apply to the following:
A.
Occupants of single family and two- to four-unit residences, multiple-family dwellings and nonresidential facilities and properties that send their post-consumer waste to a processing facility licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that recovers the materials specified in § 338-29 from solid waste in as pure a form as is technically feasible.
B.
Solid waste which is burned as a supplemental fuel at a facility if less than 30% of the heat input to the facility is derived from the solid waste burned as supplemental fuel.
C.
A recyclable material specified in § 338-29 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.
To the greatest extent practicable, the recyclable materials separated in accordance with § 338-29 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.
[Amended 12-15-2025 by Ord. No. 2025.12.01]
Occupants of single family and two- to four-unit residences, multiple-family dwellings and nonresidential facilities and properties shall manage lead acid batteries, major appliances, waste oil, and yard waste as follows:
A.
Lead acid batteries shall be disposed of in curbside refuse containers or brought to the Town recycling yard during posted hours.
B.
Nonhazardous metal items may be brought to the Town recycling yard during posted hours.
C.
Hazardous major appliances shall be disposed of using Washington County Clean Sweep program, or delivered to a facility that accepts such items.
D.
Waste oil shall be brought to the Town recycling yard during posted hours.
E.
Yard waste shall be composted at home or brought to the Town recycling yard during posted hours. If brought to the Town recycling yard, yard waste shall not be contaminated with noncompostable materials.
F.
Electronic waste shall be brought to the Town recycling yard during posted hours or delivered to a facility that accepts such items.
[Amended 12-15-2025 by Ord. No. 2025.12.01]
Except as otherwise directed by the Town of Trenton, 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 § 338-29.
B.
Corrugated paper or other container board shall be flattened and placed loosely in curbside recycling carts.
C.
Magazines, newspaper and office paper shall be placed loosely in curbside recycling carts.
D.
Foam polystyrene packaging shall be placed in curbside refuse carts.
E.
Waste tires shall be delivered to a facility that accepts them for disposal or recycling.
[Amended 12-15-2025 by Ord. No. 2025.12.01]
A.
Owners or designated agents of nonresidential facilities and properties shall do all of the following to recycle the materials specified in § 338- 29A(5) through (15):
(1)
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.
(2)
Notify in writing, at least semi-annually, all users, tenants and occupants of the properties about the established recycling program.
(3)
Provide for the collection of materials separated from the solid waste by the users, tenants and occupants and the delivery of the materials to a recycling facility.
(4)
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.
B.
The requirements specified in Subsection A 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 § 338-29A(5) through (15) from solid waste in as pure a form as is technically feasible.
[Amended 12-15-2025 by Ord. No. 2025.12.01]
A.
Owners or designated agents of multiple-family dwellings shall do all of the following to recycle the materials specified in § 338-29A(5) through (15):
(1)
Provide adequate, separate containers for the recycling program established in compliance with the ordinance. The number of recycling containers shall equal or be greater than the number of refuse containers and at least one of the following shall be met:
(2)
Notify tenants in writing at the time of renting or leasing the dwelling and at least semi-annually thereafter about the established recycling program.
(3)
Provide for the collection of materials separated from the solid waste by the tenants and the delivery of the materials to a recycling facility.
(4)
Notify tenants which materials are collected, how to prepare the 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.
B.
The requirements specified in Subsection A do not apply to the owners or designated agents of multiple-family dwellings if the postconsumer waste generated with the dwelling is treated at a processing facility licensed by the Department of Natural Resources that recovers for recycling the materials specified in § 338-29A(5) through (15) from solid waste in as pure a form as is technically feasible.
[Amended 12-15-2025 by Ord. No. 2025.12.01]
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 § 338-29A(5) to (15) which have been separated for recycling, except waste tires may be burned with energy recovery in a solid waste treatment facility.
[Amended 2-6-2007 by Ord. No. 2-1-2007]
It shall be a violation of this article for any person to:
A.
Place any garbage or other waste materials along roadsides or along any other public lands within the Town of Trenton unless done pursuant to the provisions of this article.
B.
Place any garbage or other waste materials at the Town of Trenton Town Hall unless done pursuant to the provisions of this article.
C.
Fail to obey any directives or requests of the Town of Trenton Town Hall attendant(s) regarding the placement or manner of depositing any materials upon or at the Town of Trenton Town Hall.
D.
Bring into the Town of Trenton from any location from outside the Town of Trenton any recyclable or nonrecyclable materials or hazardous wastes for the purposes of depositing or placement of these materials or wastes at the Town of Trenton Town Hall.
E.
Deliver to the Town of Trenton Town Hall with intent to deposit at the Town Hall any burning barrel ashes.
[Amended 2-6-2007 by Ord. No. 2-1-2007; 12-15-2025 by Ord. No. 2025.12.01]
A.
For the purpose of ascertaining compliance with the provisions of this article, any authorized officer, employee or representative of the Town of Trenton may inspect recyclable materials separated for recycling, postconsumer waste intended for disposal, recycling collection sites and facilities, collection vehicles, collection areas of multiple-family dwellings and nonresidential facilities and properties, 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 Town who requests access for purposes of inspection, and who presents appropriate credentials. No person may obstruct, hamper, or interfere with such an inspection.
B.
Any person who violates a provision of this article may be issued a citation by the Town to collect forfeitures. The issuance of a citation shall not preclude proceeding under any other ordinance or law relating to the same or any other matter. Proceeding under any other ordinance or law relating to the same or any other matter shall not preclude the issuance of a citation under this subsection.