Hazardous Waste Regulatory Program

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources operates a federally authorized hazardous waste regulatory program. Staff in this program help to ensure the protection of Wisconsin's ground and surface water, air and soil by working with waste generators and facilities to encourage the proper management of hazardous wastes.

In Wisconsin, there are over 11,000 businesses, schools and government institutions that generate varying quantities of hazardous wastes each year. The number of hazardous waste generators and the quantity of hazardous waste that they generate is declining each year as everyone learns how much it costs to generate wastes and manage hazardous wastes according to the strict requirements that apply. While much of the solvent-type hazardous wastes that are generated in Wisconsin are recycled here, many other hazardous wastes are handled out of state.

Wisconsin also is home to 17 licensed hazardous waste management facilities. Many of these facilities are privately operated, serving the needs of that particular facility's hazardous wastes. The commercial hazardous waste facilities in Wisconsin primarily focus on recycling of hazardous waste solvents and mercury, fuel blending of hazardous wastes for energy recovery, storage of hazardous wastes prior to the treatment at licensed hazardous waste facilities in other states and treatment of hazardous wastes to facilitate disposal. There are no operating hazardous waste disposal facilities (i.e., landfills) in Wisconsin.

Finally, several of the licensed or formerly licensed hazardous waste facilities are remediating contamination found at their facilities through the state's hazardous waste corrective action authorities. More information on corrective action activities can be found at the Bureau of Remediation and Redevelopment.

• Hazardous Waste Contacts - Who to call in Wisconsin about hazardous waste issues.
• Wisconsin Administrative Codes and State Statutes for Hazardous Waste