How Do I Handle My Waste Materials?
Resident Recycling & Composting
Business, Government & MRF Recycling
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Special Topics
- Agricultural Plastics
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- Discarded Electronics
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Yard Material
Material Description
Yard material includes grass clippings, leaves, yard and garden debris, and brush under six inches in diameter.
Environmental Impacts
Yard material in landfills contributes to methane gas and leachate which have the potential to pollute the air and local water supplies. Moisture in yard material causes it to burn poorly and causes air pollution.
Too Valuable to Waste
Small woody materials can be chipped into mulch. Grass clippings left on your lawn acts as fertilizer. Grass clippings, leaves and other organic materials can be made into compost.
Legal Requirements
Under chapter 287.07(2), Wis. Stat., it is illegal to dispose of yard material in a solid waste landfill or incinerator. State air quality and fire control rules restrict backyard burning and many communities prohibit it entirely.
Check with your local recycling program to find out about local requirements.
Preferred Handling Options
- Grass clippings: Leave on your lawn or compost.
- Leaves: Use as mulch or compost.
- Brush: Chip into mulch.
- Contact your local county recycling program to see if your county provides for collection or composting of yard material or seasonal chipping services. Many county Web sites [exit DNR] may also contain information on recycling.
- Find a licensed compost site [PDF 109KB] in your county. Contact the facility to see if they will accept your material.
- Find a recycler in your area by searching in the markets directory under organic materials. (Note, the DNR does not endorse these recyclers for environmental compliance.)
- Brush may be burned at a licensed wood burning facilities [PDF 84KB].
Resources
- Our Yard Care [PDF 173KB] brochure contains best options for managing grass clippings, leaves and brush.
- Home Composting - The Complete Composter [PDF 219KB]
- Home Composting, Reap a Heap of Benefits [PDF 159KB]
- DNR Recommendations on "Compostable" Yard Waste Plastic Bags [PDF 28KB]
- Our open burning page contains alternative to burning, information on permits and educational materials.
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