Plastic waste isn’t just a global issue—it’s local too. And if you live or work in Neenah, WI, you’ve probably asked yourself: Where does our plastic actually go? Are we doing enough to keep it out of landfills?

The truth is, recycling in Neenah, WI is working—but it’s far from perfect. There are real efforts happening right here in the Fox Valley. There are also serious gaps that need attention.

If you run a business, manage operations, or just care about reducing your environmental impact, here’s what you should know about the state of plastic recycling in our area—and where the opportunities are to make it better.

Recycling in Neenah, WI: How It Works

Curbside recycling in Neenah is managed by the city’s Department of Public Works. Plastics labeled #1 and #2—like water bottles and milk jugs—are accepted. But most other types of plastic, including thin film, plastic bags, and mixed-material packaging, are not.

These materials often end up in landfills or get incinerated. Even when placed in the bin, many of them are filtered out at sorting facilities.

So, when you put something in your blue bin, it’s only recycled if it:

• Is the right type of plastic
• Is clean and dry
• Doesn’t jam up the sorting machines

It’s not that the city isn’t trying. It’s that the system is limited. And businesses generating plastic waste—especially manufacturing or packaging waste—face even more restrictions.

The Real Challenge: Contamination & Complexity

One of the biggest issues facing recycling in Neenah, WI is contamination. If just one greasy takeout container is in the bin, it can spoil the whole batch. That means less material gets recycled—even if it's technically recyclable.

There’s also the problem of sorting. Not all plastic is the same. There are seven categories of plastic resin. Most municipal recycling programs only handle the first two. That leaves a huge volume of material with no easy path to reuse.

Local Businesses Are Part of the Solution

This is where businesses come in. In Wisconsin—and especially in the Fox Valley—manufacturers and other commercial operations generate a lot of plastic waste. But that also means they can have the biggest impact.

At Beacher Plastics, we work with Wisconsin businesses to keep plastic out of landfills. We collect post-industrial plastic scrap, sort it, clean it, and turn it into high-quality recycled plastic resin.

We do this because it matters—for the environment, for the community, and for the future of local manufacturing.

And it works.

When manufacturers choose to recycle their plastic waste with us, they reduce their carbon footprint and support a circular economy right here in the Fox Valley.

What’s Changing: Trends in Recycling Neenah WI

There are some positive signs.

1. Regional collaboration
   Fox Cities communities, including Neenah, are starting to work more closely together. Joint contracts for recycling hauling and processing help share resources and improve consistency.
2. Education efforts
   There’s a growing push to teach residents what can and can’t go in the bin. The more people know, the less contamination happens.
3. Industrial recycling growth
   More local businesses are moving beyond the basic bin. They’re separating scrap, setting up drop-offs, and working with companies like Becher Plastics to recycle efficiently.
4. Focus on circular economy
   Customers now care about where products come from and how they’re made. That pressure is pushing more companies to seek recycled materials and reduce plastic waste.

Opportunities to Improve

Here’s where Neenah—and surrounding areas—can do better:

• Expand accepted plastics
  Most residential programs only take plastics #1 and #2. Accepting more types of plastic (with proper education) would reduce landfill waste.
• Support commercial recycling
  Local policies could better support businesses that want to recycle large volumes of plastic. Grants, rebates, or tax incentives could make a big difference.
• Strengthen infrastructure
  Better sorting tech and local processing centers would make it easier to handle more complex plastics.
• Make recycled material the standard
  If more manufacturers switched to using recycled plastic resin, demand would grow—and so would supply.

What You Can Do

If you live in Neenah:

• Check your recycling bin habits. Rinse containers. Don’t include plastic bags or film.
• Stay updated on what’s accepted in your curbside program.
• Bring hard-to-recycle items (like bags or film) to drop-off points at local grocery stores.

If you run a business:

• Don’t treat plastic waste as trash. It’s a resource.
• Partner with a recycler who understands your material.
• Use recycled materials in your production if you can.

At Becher Plastics, we offer full recycling services and brokerage solutions for Wisconsin businesses. Whether you're generating post-industrial scrap or looking to source recycled plastic resin, we can help you make the shift.

Recycling in Neenah, WI is moving in the right direction—but there’s a lot of work left. The system works best when everyone—residents, businesses, city leaders—does their part.

At Becher Plastics, we’ve built our business around one simple idea: plastic doesn’t need to become waste. It can be reused, repurposed, and made valuable again.

If you're in the Fox Valley and want to reduce your environmental impact, reach out. We’re here to help you recycle smarter—and support a cleaner, more sustainable Wisconsin.

Need help recycling plastic at your business?
Contact us to learn more about our recycling and brokerage services.