Specific items are banned from the landfill because of concerns about their toxicity or handling needs. Recyclable items are prohibited to encourage recycling and to preserve our world's raw materials. Chemicals, hazardous and toxic waste require special disposal methods to prevent environmental damage. Whatever the reason, the prohibited items listed below require special handling and alternative disposal methods. County and State governments may enforce these. The alternative options listed below are not all-inclusive. We also recommend calling them before taking your materials to be sure that programs haven't changed.
Wisconsin state law prohibits electronic items from being incinerated or dumped in a landfill:
There are many local options for disposal. We offer electronic pick-up using our bulky item truck service for residents that have our curbside service. Please contact our office (608-257-4285) for pricing information. If you are not in one of the municipalities we service for curbside carts, please check with your municipal Public Works department for options.
The Dane County Clean Sweep accepts electronics from Dane County and Columbia County residents for a fee. Many electronic retailers also accept electronics for a fee. Other electronic recyclers in the Madison-area include File 13 E-Waste Solutions (www.file13usa.com, 608-221-1313) and Resource Solutions (www.recyclethatstuff.com, 608-244-5451). Additional information for registered electronic collection sites can be found at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ecycle/
For residential, check with your municipal Public Works department for possible brush & yard waste pick-up or drop-off options. For commercial or residential, check with a landscaping company for possible removal.
Tires cannot be put into a dumpster. Tires must be hauled separately for proper disposal. The Dane County Landfill (608-838-9555) will facilitate the disposal of tires, off the rims only and smaller than 20” for a fee. If larger than 20” they must be cut into 2” sections. Most tire dealers will dispose of your old tires for a fee.
Old batteries can contaminate the environment by leaching into the soil if improperly disposed of, as well as start fires at landfills and transfer sites.
There is no on-site collection for this household hazardous waste. Do NOT put any batteries in your containers. Lithium-ion batteries are especially combustible and will start fires. If you need to recharge an item, then it has a battery. Don’t throw it out. Check Call2recycle.com for a nearby drop-off site.
Liquids are prohibited from the landfill. Household latex and/or water-based paints must be dry and must have the lids removed. If they are dry and have no lids they can be put into your regular trash. Liquid paint, lead-based paint (liquid or dried), thinners, household chemicals and all other hazardous materials should be taken to the Clean Sweep Facility at 7102 US Hwy 12. Call (608-838-3212) or visit www.danecountycleansweep.com for days and hours of operation.
There are strict regulations for disposing of asbestos. Asbestos is prohibited from the landfill unless handled and disposed of correctly. More information regarding asbestos can be found at the Wisconsin DNR website http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Demo/Asbestos.html or call 608-266-2621. At this time we do not offer temporary dumpsters for asbestos loads.
Cleanfill materials, including concrete, brick, dirt, gravel, etc., are prohibited from the landfill. We are able to haul dumpster loads of strictly that material, but they cannot be comingled with other items. This type of material requires special preparation and proper loading. Please call us for more information at 608-257-4285.
All appliances are banned from the landfill. We offer appliance pick-up using our bulky item truck service for residents that have our curbside service. Please contact our office (608-257-4285) for pricing information. If you are not in one of the municipalities we service for curbside carts, please check with your municipal Public Works department for options. Some retail outlets will dispose of your old appliance when you purchase a new one. Ask your dealer at the time of purchase if they offer this option. All Metal Recycling (608-255-0960) will accept most appliances at no charge (not including freon appliances or microwaves).
For residential, check with your municipal Public Works department for possible brush & yard waste pick-up or drop-off options. For commercial or residential, check with a landscaping company for possible removal.
Used motor oil should be taken to an Oil Drop-off site for recycling. Even small quantities of used oil will not be picked up. Large quantities (55 gallons or more) should be picked up by an oil service company. Please call the Dane County Highway Department (608-266-4261) or your local municipality for information on the closest location for an Oil Drop-off site, or visit http://www.danecountycleansweep.com/.
Used oil filters and absorbents are also banned from the landfill. Please refer to the DNR's website for specifics on the ban and how to dispose of these materials: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/recycling/oil.html
Fluorescent bulbs and ballasts can be taken to Dane County Clean Sweep (608-243-0368, www.danecountycleansweep.com). Call first for commercial options and rates. PKK Lighting (608-836-7821, www.pkklighting.com) also accepts bulbs and ballasts in addition to offering bulk collection of these items for a fee. Any business in Dane County that sells fluorescent lamps must accept used lamps.
There are stiff fines and penalties for non-compliance with the disposal of hazardous materials. It is the generator’s responsibility to determine if the waste is hazardous or not. Never dump even small amounts of these materials into trash containers or on the land as it only takes a very small amount of these chemicals to cause a contamination problem.
If you think you have waste that may be hazardous, call the Department of Natural Resources (608-266-2621) for assistance or visit their website at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Waste/Hazardous.html
Metal drums are prohibited from the landfill, cannot be mixed with any trash and must be hauled separately. All Metal Recycling Inc. (608-255-0960) may accept drums if at least one end is removed, has been thoroughly washed and rinsed and all labels removed. Alter Metals (608-241-1571) may accept drums if both ends are removed and you present certification that they have been triple rinsed. Call first to for current policies.
Do NOT put propane tanks or cylinders in your containers. They will start fires. Many county clean sweep programs will take full or partially full small (1 lb) cylinder propane tanks from residential households; call for commercial options. For larger propane tanks, a metal recycler may take them if drained, valves off, and depressurized. Call first to confirm.
