Wisconsin Landfill Bans: What Can't Go in the Trash
Updated
Short answer
Wisconsin law keeps major appliances, lead-acid batteries, waste tires, yard waste and TVs, computers and other covered electronics out of landfills and incinerators. The appliance and battery ban is in s. 287.07(1m), tires since January 1, 1995, yard waste since January 3, 1993, and electronics since September 1, 2010 under E-Cycle Wisconsin.
How it shows up locally
- The Dane County Landfill refuses freon appliances and electronics and sends them to Clean Sweep; it recycles stoves, washers and dryers as metal.
- Madison collects appliances and metal separately from furniture for recycling, and bans electronics at the curb.
- Tires go to the landfill's tire recycling ($0.17 a pound) or a municipal tire program.
- Brush and yard waste go to city or village compost sites, or the county's composting program.
Refrigerant
Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers carry refrigerant. Under NR 488, anyone who transports or dismantles that equipment for disposal, waste haulers included, registers with the DNR and has the refrigerant recovered by a certified person.
Quick answers
Can I put a TV in the trash in Wisconsin?
No. E-Cycle Wisconsin has banned TVs, computers and other covered electronics from landfills since September 1, 2010.
Rather not haul it yourself?
Tell us what needs to go and where. A local crew sorts the recycling, donation and landfill streams for you and replies with a price first.