State solid waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and resource recovery policy

Wis. Stat. § 287.05

in effect

The following are declared to be policies of the state concerning the reduction of the amount of solid waste generated, the reuse, recycling and composting of solid waste and resource recovery from solid waste: (1) That maximum solid waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and resource recovery is in the best interest of the state in order to protect public health, to protect the quality of the natural environment and to conserve resources and energy. (2) That solid waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and resource recovery projects should be encouraged in furtherance of these goals. (3) That encouragement and support should be given to individuals, collectors, handlers and operators of waste facilities to separate solid waste at the source, in processing or at the time of disposal in order to facilitate reuse, recycling, composting or resource recovery. (4) That research, development and innovation in the design, management and operation of solid waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and resource recovery systems and operations are necessary and should be encouraged in order to improve the processes, to lower operating costs and to provide incentives for the use of these systems and operations and their products. (4m) That the initiatives of current recyclers which facilitate reuse and recycling through separation, collection and processing of substantial volumes of scrap and waste material, reducing the amount of mixed solid waste that is disposed of in landfills or burned without energy recovery in incinerators, should be encouraged. (4s) That the burning of solid waste with energy recovery as a substitute for the burning of nonrenewable fuels, such as coal, to generate steam or electricity is in the public interest and should be encouraged, if done in a state-approved program that protects the public health and welfare and the environment. (5) That the implementation of solid waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and resource recovery systems and operations requires the involvement and cooperation of all persons and entities comprising this state’s society, including individuals, state and local governments, schools, private organizations and businesses. To achieve this involvement and cooperation, state government should rely to the maximum extent feasible on technical and financial assistance, education and managerial practices to implement these policies. Necessary regulations should be developed with maximum flexibility. (6) That solid waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and resource recovery efforts in this state should be planned and coordinated in order to maximize beneficial results while minimizing duplication and inefficiency. (7) That to achieve the goals in this policy statement the legislature recognizes the necessity of the state to occupy a regulatory role in this field and the necessity to give municipalities and counties certain powers to adopt waste flow control ordinances in order to require the use of recycling and resource recovery facilities. (8) That the powers enumerated under s. 287.13 constitute proper powers consistent with uniform state policies concerning solid waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and resource recovery from solid waste; these powers are necessary for the safe, beneficial, economical and lawful management of solid waste; and these powers are necessary to accomplish or facilitate these uniform state policies by encouraging the financing, acquisition, construction, improvement, operation, maintenance and ownership of recycling and resource recovery facilities. The powers enumerated under s. 287.13 constitute proper powers consistent with essential and legitimate governmental functions; and these powers are to be utilized in providing for the health, safety and welfare of and providing services and benefits for inhabitants of municipalities, counties and this state. (9) That the state policies declared under this section and the standards, criteria, requirements and procedures established under s. 287.13 ensure that a municipality or county exercising powers under s. 287.13 acts in a manner consistent with uniform state policies and acts as an arm of the state for the public good. (10) That solid waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and resource recovery systems and operations are preferable to land disposal. (11) That developers and users of land disposal facilities should not become overly committed to land disposal because of the excessively long useful life of a facility or the excessive aggregate capacity of land disposal facilities so that reuse, recycling, composting and resource recovery systems and operations may be implemented rapidly without excessive disruption. (12) That in the management of solid waste, whenever possible and practical, the state encourages the following priorities: (a) The reduction of the amount of solid waste generated. (b) The reuse of solid waste. (c) The recycling of solid waste. (d) The composting of solid waste. (e) The recovery of energy from solid waste. (f) The land disposal of solid waste. (g) The burning of solid waste without energy recovery.

Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/287.05Fetched: 10/7/2026