Hazardous Waste Disposal Solutions
Hazardous Waste
What’s the right way to dispose of household hazardous waste?
Varnish. Motor oil. Lighter fluid. Pesticides. These are just some of the household items that can’t be put in curbside trash or recycling bins. Because they pose harm to people, pets and the environment if handled improperly, you’ll need to find a local collection program to dispose of them.
Where to dispose of it
Milwaukee County residents can visit three year-round drop-off centers or participate in one-day collection events. Free to Milwaukee County residents. For details about hours and accepted items visit online or call (414) 225-2066.
Year-round drop-off centers
-3879 W Lincoln Ave., Milwaukee
-6060 S 13th St., Milwaukee (just north of College Avenue)
-W124N9451 Boundary Rd., Menomonee Falls
One-day drop-off events for 2023
-Visit www.mmsd.com
For more info:
-All Ozaukee County residents can drop hazardous waste off at an annual Clean Sweep event held every May at 1221 Hilltop Drive, Cedarburg. For details, visit www.co.ozaukee.wi.us and search for “Clean Sweep Program.”
-Port Washington residents can bring items to the Veolia Household Hazardous Waste Drop- Off at 1275 Mineral Springs Drive, Port Washington. Call (262) 243-8998 for information.
(Available to non-residents for a fee.)
For more info
Hazardous waste can be dropped off Mondays and Wednesdays at Veolia Environmental Services, W124N9451 Boundary Road, Menomonee Falls. Pre-registration and a $20 fee required per visit. Register online at washcoparks.com.
For more info
Visit www.washcowisco.gov and search for “household clean sweep.”
(Free for City of Milwaukee residents, charge for everyone else)
Waukesha County residents can visit three year-round drop-off centers or participate in one-day collection events. Free to Waukesha County residents. For details about hours and accepted items visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/hazardouswaste/.
Year-round drop-off centers
-Veolia Environmental Services, W124N9451 Boundary Rd., Menomonee Falls
-UWM-Waukesha, 1500 N. University Dr., Waukesha (near water tower)
-W124 S10391 S. 124 St., Muskego (north of Emerald Park Landfill)
One-day drop-off events for 2023
For more info
Statewide:
For detailed information about what household items pose risks and how to safely storing and discard
them, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov/ and search for “household hazardous waste.”
More info below
Find a collection program in your community
Options for disposing of household hazardous waste vary greatly depending on where you live, from year-round drop-off centers to occasional drop-off events. Visit your municipal website to learn what’s available to you. Be sure to find out what items are accepted. In some cases, you may be charged a fee.
Safe disposal
know which option is the safest.
If you have leftover household products, check labels and the tables to the right for disposal options. The key to safe disposal is knowing which option is right for each household hazardous waste item.
Pitch it.
Dry waste until it is solid and pitch it in the trash.
Some household hazardous wastes can dried or mixed with cat litter until they are solid and placed in the trash.
pour it.
Flush cleaners with lots of water when pouring them down the drain. Some household cleaners can be poured into household drains as this is their intended purpose. Be sure they are flushed thoroughly with water.
NEVER POUR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE IN A SEPTIC SYSTEM OR STORM DRAIN.
take it.
Find a collection program and store waste safely until collection. Safe storage is key to safe disposal. Keeping products in their original container helps household hazardous waste facilities know what they are handling. Most items should be kept sealed and away from heat. Use the child resistant lids and caps and keep containers closed tight.
pitch it, pour it, take it
CAR CARE
Antifreeze take it
Batteries (automotive)*
Brake fluid
Carburetor cleaner
Degreasers
Gasoline and fuels
Used motor oil & oil filters*
Transmission fluid
Windshield washer
*This item(s) are banned from Wisconsin/and lls and may not be thrown in the trash
PAINT, STAIN & HOMEWARE
Adhesives/glues, waster-based PITCH IT
Adhesives/glues with solvents**** TAKE IT
Caulk, grout, putty, spackle PITCH IT
Floor/wax stripper TAKE IT
Furniture stripper TAKE IT
Paint, latex-based PITCH IT
Paint, oil-based TAKE IT
Paint, remover/thinner TAKE IT
Sealers TAKE IT
Stain, varnish, lacquer TAKE IT
Turpentine TAKE IT
Wood preservatives TAKE IT
TAKE IT
TAKE IT
TAKE IT
TAKE IT
TAKE IT
TAKE IT
TAKE IT
POUR IT
CLEANERS
Cleaners with ammonia**
Cleaners with bleach**
Concrete cleaners (acid)
Disinfectants
Drain cleaner***
Metal cleaners
Oven cleaners***
Polish/spot removers***
Polish with solvents****
Pool chemicals
Toilet/tub/tile cleaner****
**Never mix products containing ammonia with those containing bleach as it can cause an harmful chemical reaction.
*** Read labels for storage and collection instructions.
****Solvent-containing products have the words “flammable,” “combustible” or “contains petroleum distillate” on the labels.
OTHER COMMON ITEMS
Emptied hazardous waste containers PITCH IT
Fertilizer without weed killer PITCH IT
Lighter fluid TAKE IT
Smoke detectors PITCH IT
Thermometers containing mercury TAKE IT
POUR IT
POUR IT
TAKE IT
POUR IT
POUR IT
TAKE IT
PITCH IT / TAKE IT
PITCH IT / TAKE IT
TAKE IT
TAKE IT
POUR IT
EXPLOSIVES
Ammunition TAKE IT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
Fireworks/flares SOAK IN WATER AND TAKE IT
MEDICAL WASTE
Pharmaceuticals, TAKE IT
prescription drugs and medical sharps
-Visit dnr.wi.gov and search “health care waste” for instructions.
PRESSURIZED CONTAINER
Weed killer TAKE IT
Propane tanks (refillable) TAKE IT
Propane tanks (single use) TAKE IT
PESTICIDES & POISONS
Fertilizer with weed killer TAKE IT
Insect/bug killer TAKE IT
Mothballs TAKE IT
Rat/rodent poison TAKE IT
Weed killer TAKE IT