The items below are banned from the landfill because they are considered household hazardous waste and are harmful to the environment, they should be recycled, and/or they require special disposal methods. Do not place any of these items in your trash or recycling cart but follow the alternative disposal methods listed below. This is not an all-inclusive list. We recommend calling the location before taking materials there to be sure they can still accept your items; also to confirm operating days and hours.
Note: Dane County Clean Sweep accepts items from Dane, Columbia and Sauk County residents for a fee. They may accept items from residents of other counties for a higher fee; contact them for information. Select this link to see if your county has a Clean Sweep location or event.
Most large appliances, freon/refrigerant, etc., are banned from the landfill. We offer appliance pick-up using our bulky item service for residents who 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. Many local metal recyclers or scrap yards will accept most appliances at no charge (not including freon appliances or microwaves).
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. For a temporary dumpster for asbestos, please contact us directly.
Old batteries can contaminate the environment by leaching into the soil if improperly disposed of and can start fires at landfills, transfer sites and recycling centers.
Do NOT put any batteries in your trash or recycling carts. 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. You can also check your local clean sweep location or battery store.
Brush and yard waste cannot be placed in your trash or recycling carts or dumpsters. Brush and yard waste are both banned from landfills in Wisconsin. Please check with your county or municipality to see how you are supposed to handle your brush or yard waste. Many counties or municipalities have drop-off sites and some may provide curbside pickup. Brush is generally defined as branches or limbs while yard waste includes grass clippings, leaves, weeds, vines, vegetable/plant matter, hay/straw, and twigs less than half an inch in diameter (roughly as thick as your thumb) and less than 12 inches long. The only exception is “invasive plant species” (or “noxious weeds”), which must go to the landfill. Pellitteri customers must place invasive plant species in black trash bags in your trash container with a note on the bag that says it contains invasive plant species so drivers don’t think it’s yard waste. Common invasive plant species include garlic mustard, honeysuckle, purple loosestrife, buckthorn and more.
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 co-mingled with other items. This type of material requires special preparation and proper loading. Please call us for more information at 608-257-4285.
Metal drums are prohibited from the landfill. Local metal recyclers or scrap yards may take them.
Wisconsin state law prohibits electronic items from being incinerated or dumped in a landfill, and they cannot be recycled in carts or dumpsters:
There are many local options for disposal. Pellitteri offers electronic pick-up using our bulky item service for residents who 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. Dane County Clean Sweep accepts electronics for a fee. Many electronic retailers also accept electronics for a fee. Additional information for registered electronic collection sites can be found at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ecycle/
These are all hazardous waste items. View the Wisconsin DNR Household Hazardous Waste page for disposal guidance.
Fluorescent bulbs and ballasts can be taken to Dane County Clean Sweep. PKK Lighting also accepts bulbs and ballasts. Any business in Dane County that sells fluorescent lamps must accept used lamps.
Brush and yard waste cannot be placed in your trash or recycling carts or dumpsteres. Brush and yard waste are both banned from landfills in Wisconsin. Please check with your county or municipality to see how you are supposed to handle your brush or yard waste. Many counties or municipalities have drop-off sites and some may provide curbside pickup. Brush is generally defined as branches or limbs while yard waste includes grass clippings, leaves, weeds, vines, vegetable/plant matter, hay/straw, and twigs less than half an inch in diameter (roughly as thick as your thumb) and less than 12 inches long. The only exception is “invasive plant species” (or “noxious weeds”), which must go to the landfill. Pellitteri customers must place invasive plant species in black trash bags in your trash container with a note on the bag that says it contains invasive plant species so drivers don’t think it’s yard waste. Common invasive plant species include garlic mustard, honeysuckle, purple loosestrife, buckthorn and more.
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 or your county or local municipality for information on the closest location for an Oil Drop-off site or Clean Sweep location or event.
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.
Liquids are prohibited from the landfill. Household latex and/or water-based paints can be put into your regular trash if the paint is solidified and the lid is removed. Liquid paint, lead-based paint (liquid or dried), thinners, household chemicals, pool chemicals, and all other hazardous materials should be taken to the Dane County Clean Sweep facility.
Do NOT put propane tanks or cylinders in your trash or recycling carts. They will start fires. Many county clean sweep programs will take full or partially full, small (1 lb) cylinder propane tanks from residential households. For larger propane tanks, a metal recycler may take them if drained, valves off, and depressurized. Call first to confirm.
These are all hazardous waste items. View the Wisconsin DNR Household Hazardous Waste page for disposal guidance.
Do not place these in your trash or recycling carts or dumpster. Visit the Wisconsin DNR Household Sharps page for collection stations.
Tires cannot be placed in trash or recycling carts or dumpsters. Pellitteri offers pick-up using our bulky item service for residents who 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, you can take tires to the Dane County Landfill. Tires must be off the rims for curbside pickup and for drop off at the Dane County Landfill.
Most tire dealers will dispose of your old tires for a fee, too. Learn more about vehicle tire disposal from the Wisconsin DNR.
