Recycling & Recycle Center Information

Summary, Best Practices, & Resources

The City of Sun Prairie provides recycling services through its contracted services provider, Pellitteri Waste Systems. Detailed information regarding recycling guidelines can be found on their website Recycling Info for Residential – Pellitteri Waste Systems. Additional resources and specific information can be found below. Click on any of the following links to be directed to the following information below: 

 There are also additional strategies for material recycling of items that cannot be accepted in your recycling bin. For more information on the city-operated Recycling Center, scroll down on this page to that section.  

  1. Recycle Better - Sustain Dane
  2. Recycling - Contamination Concerns – Pellitteri Waste Systems
  3. Pellitteri Waste Systems - About Us | Madison Wisconsin
  4. Kipp Street Station MRF – A Division of Pellitteri Waste Systems - YouTube
  5. TerraCycle

Starting in 2023, recycling will be collected every week. Weekly cart schedules can be found here City of Sun Prairie – Pellitteri Waste Systems. Review the Residential Refuse and Recycling Map (PDF) to determine your recycling week or call us at 608-837-3050. Carts must be out by 7 a.m. If your collection is missed because your cart is set out late, we cannot send the truck back to get it.

Per City Ordinance, items are not to be set out for collection earlier than noon of the day before they are scheduled to be picked up.

Starting in January 2023, recycling will be collected on a weekly basis. 

Collection Guidelines

Materials need to be curbside by 7 a.m. If they are not, we cannot go back to collect them if they were initially missed due to late set out. Please be sure to leave four feet of clearance on each side of your cart(s).

The following materials can be placed in your cart:

  • Aluminum cans
  • Beverage cases
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Cereal boxes
  • Computer paper
  • Copy paper
  • Empty aerosol cans
  • Glass bottles or jars
  • Junk mail
  • Magazines
  • Newspapers
  • Phone books
  • Plastic bottles or containers that are #1 - #7
  • Steel cans
  • Tin cans
  • Paper cups

Items can be co-mingled and do not have to be separated. Containers should be empty and rinsed with lids placed back on afterwards.

Extra Recycling that won’t fit in your cart?  You can contact Pellitteri at 608-257-4285 and pay per bag to have them collected on your next collection day and/or purchase an additional recycle cart.

View the complete list of items (PDF) accepted in your recycle cart by the contractor for curbside collections.

Recycle Center Information & Hours

The City Recycle Center is located at 1798 South Bird Street. You must have a permit/sticker to use the facility. 

MATERIALS WE DO ACCEPT:

  • Mixed recycling (single-stream)
  • Brush & yard waste
  • Appliances without Freon
  • Oil absorbents
  • Oil filters
  • Waste motor oil
  • Antifreeze
  • Scrap metal 
  • Cardboard (flattened)

MATERIALS WE DO NOT ACCEPT:

  • Trash  
  • Freon appliances*
  • Wood or plastic furniture
  • Carpet or padding
  • Wood or lumber 
  • Tires
  • Tree stumps or root balls
  • Porcelain, concrete, asphalt, rocks, bricks, blocks, fill materials
  • Wreaths, garland, or roping
  • Water softeners
  • Paint or paint cans
  • Propane cylinders
  • Light bulbs
  • Batteries
  • Pails and drums
  • Electronics

*To dispose of refrigerant filled appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, or dehumidifiers please contact local appliance stores or scrap metal dealers for private disposal rates.

Recycle Center Permits

Visit our Recycle Center Permit (Sticker) page for more information on how to apply for a permit and fees. 

Sun Prairie Residents

Sun Prairie residents who receive curbside refuse and recycling collection (1-4 unit dwellings) can access the Recycle Center for free, but must obtain a permit.

Sun Prairie Residents who live in multi-family dwellings of 5 or more units are eligible to use the Recycle Center, but must pay an annual fee to obtain a permit. Proof of residence is required. 

Non-Residents

Those who live outside of City of Sun Prairie limits are eligible to use the Recycle Center, but must pay an annual fee to obtain a permit. 

Commercial Properties

Commercial businesses are not permitted to use the Recycle Center at this time. 

Hours

Winter Hours*

Following the first Saturday in December through the last Saturday in March

Monday: 3 to 5 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to Noon

Spring/Summer Hours*

Following the last Saturday in March through the third Saturday in October

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fall Hours*

Following the third Saturday in October through the first Saturday in December

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

*Holiday Closures

Please note: The Recycle Center observes the same holiday closures as other city facilities. Click here to see a list of all holiday closures.

Battery Recycling & Disposal

Non-Rechargeable Batteries

Non-Rechargeable household batteries or single-use alkaline batteries cannot currently be recycled in Sun Prairie. They should not be placed in your recycle cart or taken to the Recycle Center. If you want to dispose of them, they should go in your refuse cart (tan lid).

Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries include Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion), and Small Sealed Lead (Pb). These batteries are commonly used in:

  • 2-way radios
  • Camcorders
  • Cellular and cordless phones
  • Cordless power tools
  • Digital cameras
  • Laptop computers
  • Remote control toys

Rechargeable batteries are not currently accepted through the City of Sun Prairie Recycle Center but can be recycled at many locations throughout town. Check at the local hardware stores as many accept these items.

Automotive Batteries

Automotive batteries are no longer accepted at the City of Sun Prairie Recycle Center. Check with local battery retailers for recycling options.

Cardboard / Move-In Boxes

There is a dumpster provided at the Recycle Center for the disposal of move-in boxes. Simply flatten the boxes and bring them in.  You must have a permit/sticker to use the facility.  


Plastic Bag & Wrap Recycling

You may know that plastic grocery bags can be recycled, but are you aware of the full extent that other similar materials can be recycled? Some communities allow plastic bags to be placed in curbside carts, overall the recycling industry encourages recyclers to use retail drop-off locations. Find a location where bags are accepted.

Accepted Bags

These locations don't just accept grocery bags, they also accept:

  • Air pillows (deflated)
  • Bubble wrap
  • Case wrap (beverage cases, snacks)
  • Dry cleaning bags
  • Food storage bags (clean and dry)
  • Furniture and electronic stretch film
  • Newspaper bags
  • Plastic packaging on paper products
  • Plastic shipping envelopes
  • Produce bags
  • Tyvek (no labels)

Get a full list and examples of accepted items. Drop-off locations may vary with what items they will accept. Once you have found your location, check to make sure they accept the items you want to bring.

Bags Not Accepted

The following items are not accepted at any location:

  • Degradable bags
  • Frozen food bags
  • Prewashed salad mix bags

If a bag is not labeled as degradable, a simple test will determine whether it can be taken or not. If you give the bag or wrap a slight tug and it stretches, it is likely recyclable. If it rips or tears more similar to paper, it is likely not. When in doubt, don't recycle items you are unsure of. Bags and films that are dirty or wet hinder the recycling process and may prevent the reuse of entire loads of recovered items.

Get more information on W.R.A.P., a new Wisconsin initiative for plastic recycling.


What Happens To My Recycling?