How Do I Handle My Waste Materials?

The following information is intended to help you determine the legal requirements and preferred handling options for common waste materials. The list below contains only those materials for which the department gets frequent requests for information. To find handling options for materials not listed, use the resources provided at the bottom of this page.

Materials

• Agricultural Plastics
• Batteries - Dry Cell
• Batteries - Motor Vehicle (Lead Acid)
• Computers, TVs and Other Electronics
• Demolished Structures
• Light Bulbs/Fluorescent Bulbs
• Medical/Infectious Waste
• Mercury Thermometers
• Motor Oil, Oil Filters and Other Automotive Products
• Paint, Paint Thinner
• Pharmaceutical Waste
• Plastic Shopping Bags
• Sharps/Syringes
• Solvents and Home Cleaning Products
• Tires - Personal Vehicle
• Yard Materials (Leaves, Grass Clippings, etc.)

Businesses and Institutions Please refer to the individual waste program areas listed on the DNR Waste and Materials Management. You may also wish to use the DNR Permit Primer to locate pertinent information, however, please note that the Permit Primer contents are for informational purposes only and may not reflect recent changes to state statutes and administrative rules. The latest versions of these documents are available at the Wisconsin State Legislature [exit DNR].

Resources

Related Links

• Wisconsin's Recycling Law (PUB WA422) [PDF 1.1MB] provides an overview of local government responsibilities, what materials are banned from landfills and recycling options for some materials.
• Facilities licensed by the department to transport and handle various materials. Contact the facility to see if they will accept your materials.
• Wisconsin Recycling Markets Directory (WRMD) Search by material for a list of businesses that will accept that material.

Related Site

• Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection [exit DNR] Clean Sweep programs

Contact Information

For questions and comments about How Do I Handle My Waste Materials, please contact:

DNR Waste Materials@Wisconsin.gov