Definitions.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 79-23
in effect79-23. Definitions.
In this subchapter:
1. BI-METAL CONTAINER means a container for beverages that is made primarily of a combination of steel and aluminum.
2. COMMISSIONER shall mean the commissioner of public works and such supervisory employees of the department to whom his or her authority may be delegated.
3. CONTAINER BOARD means corrugated paperboard used in the manufacture of shipping containers and related products.
4. DEPARTMENT means the department of public works.
4.3. DESIGNATED AGENT means any person who, on behalf of or by agreement with the owner or operator of a multiple-family dwelling or a non-residential facility or property, provides goods or services at that location.
4.5. ELECTRONIC DEVICE has the meaning given in s. 287.17(1)(gm), Wis. Stats.
5. GLASS CONTAINER shall mean 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, ceramic dishes, oven ware, plate glass, safety and window glass, lead-based glass such as crystal, or television tubes.
6. HDPE means high density polyethylene, labeled by the SPI code #2.
8. LICENSED SOLID WASTE PROCESSING FACILITY means a solid waste processing facility that is licensed by the Wisconsin department of natural resources.
9. MAGAZINES means magazines and other materials printed on similar paper.
10. MAJOR APPLIANCE means a residential or commercial air conditioner, clothes dryer, clothes washer, dishwasher, freezer, microwave oven, oven, refrigerator, furnace, boiler, dehumidifier, water heater or stove.
11. MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLING means a structure containing 5 or more residential units, including units which are occupied seasonally.
12. NEWSPAPERS means newspapers and other materials printed on newsprint.
13. NON-RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND PROPERTIES means commercial, retail, industrial, institutional, and governmental facilities and properties. The term 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.
14. OFFICE PAPER means high grade printing and writing papers. Printed white ledger paper is an example of office paper generally accepted as high grade. The term does not include industrial process waste, newspaper, or packaging.
16. PERSON includes any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, local government unit, as defined in s. 66.0131(1)(a), Wis. Stats., or state agency or authority or federal agency.
17. PETE means polyethylene terephthalate, labeled by the SPI code #1.
18. PLASTIC CONTAINER means an individual, separate, rigid plastic bottle, can, jar or carton, except that the term does not include a blister pack that is originally used to contain a product that is the subject of a retail sale.
19. POSTCONSUMER WASTE means solid waste other than solid waste generated in the production of goods, hazardous waste as defined in s. 291.01(7), Wis. Stats., a hazardous substance as defined in s. 79-1-5, waste from construction and demolition of structures, scrap automobiles or high-volume industrial waste as defined in s. 289.01(17), Wis. Stats. The term shall include domestic waste, garbage, tree waste, and yard waste, as those terms are defined in s. 79-1-12.
23. RECYCLABLE MATERIAL includes electronic devices, lead acid batteries, major appliances, waste oil, oil filters, yard waste, aluminum containers, bi-metal containers, corrugated paper or other container board, glass containers, magazines, newspapers, office paper, steel containers, waste tires and rigid plastic containers made of PETE, PET, or HDPE.
24. SOLID WASTE has the meaning given in s. 289.01(33), Wis. Stats.
25. SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITY has the meaning given in s. 289.01(35), Wis. Stats.
26. SOLID WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY means a facility that handles solid waste by any method, technique or process that is designed to change the physical, chemical or biological character or composition of solid waste. The term includes a facility that incinerates solid waste.
27. SPECIAL RECYCLABLE MATERIALS means electronic devices, lead acid batteries, major appliances, waste tires, waste oil, oil filters, and yard waste.
28. STANDARD RECYCLABLE MATERIALS means aluminum containers, bi-metal containers, corrugated paper or other container board, glass containers, magazines, newspapers, office paper, steel containers, and rigid plastic containers made of PETE, PET, or HDPE.
29. WASTE TIRE means a tire that is no longer suitable for its original purpose because of wear, damage, or defect. The term includes an unserviceable tire as defined in s. 93-3.
30. YARD WASTE means leaves, grass clippings, yard and garden debris and brush, including clean woody vegetative material no greater than 6 inches in diameter. This term shall not include stumps, roots, or shrubs with intact root balls.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH79.pdf#page=15Fetched: 10/26/2026