This is notice to the municipalities in Eau Claire County that the Recycling Special Charge will 
increase from $17 to $18 for the upcoming tax season. Below is an explanation of the charge and its 
purpose.

Eau Claire County is a Responsible Unit (RU) which means the county is responsible for implementing 
a community recycling program in compliance with Wisconsin DNR recycling requirements. As the RU 
the county also applies for and oversees the grant funding received by the DNR to provide recycling 
services to residential buildings with 1-4 dwelling units. It should be noted that businesses and 
multi-family housing are also required to recycle or provide recycling to its patrons/tenants, but 
the county does not assess fees or provide specific programming for those properties. The grant 
typically does not cover total program expenses therefore the county assesses a fee to residents in 
1-4 dwelling unit housing in two ways.
1.  For residents who participate in curbside recycling services the county has the hauler charge 
that resident $1.25 per month ($15/year) to those who live outside the City of Eau Claire. This 
amount is then reimbursed back to the county.
2. All residents who live outside the City of Eau Claire are charged $18 on their property taxes if 
the property contains a dwelling between 1-4 units.
3. City of Eau Claire residents are charged $2.75/month on their curbside recycling bill rather 
than having it split.
All county residents residing in 1-4 dwelling units with curbside service pay in $33/year into the 
recycling program. Those without curbside service pay in $18/year.

What is included in the recycling fees?
The revenue from the recycling fees covers the remaining expenses of the program that are not 
covered by the DNR grant. Specific programs that County residents have access to are:
•  Subsidized electronics recycling at First Choice Computer Recycling. Nearly all electronics 
are
free year-round for residents to recycle excluding freon products and exercise equipment.
•  Subsidized household hazardous waste (Clean Sweep) events three times a year where most items 
are free or at reduced cost.
•  Free recycling at rural drop-sites and staffing at those sites. This also includes site 
maintenance.
•  Free event recycling bin rentals for residents.
•  Annual Beaver Creek Recycler Newsletter that is mailed to all county residents

721 Oxford Ave. Suite 3344, Eau Claire, WI 54703 • O: 715-839-2756 [email protected] 
• www.eauclairecounty.gov/recycling Where Communities Come Together
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