Solid Waste / Recycling

General Information

Oconto County Solid Waste Department cooperatively works with the following municipalities to manage the recycling of landfill-banned materials: Abrams, Bagley, Doty, Lena Village and Town, Little Suamico, Maple Valley, Morgan, Oconto, Riverview, Stiles, City and Town of Oconto Falls, and Village of Suring and Town of How.

Materials Currently Banned from Landfill Disposal in Wisconsin

  • Items Banned in 1995
  • Aluminum containers
  • Bi-metal containers (containers made from a combination of steel and aluminum)
  • Corrugated cardboard or other containerboard
  • Foam polystyrene packaging, either designed for serving food or beverages, loose particles intended for packing (peanuts), or rigid materials shaped to hold and cushion a packaged article
  • Glass containers
  • Magazines and other materials printed on similar paper
  • Newspaper and other materials printed on newsprint
  • Office paper
  • Plastic containers Number 1 and Number 2
  • Plastic containers Number 3 through Number 7 (see note)
  • Steel containers
  • Used tires (except when incinerated with energy recovery)

Note: Currently the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) allows plastic containers Number 3 through Number 7 and foam polystyrene packaging to be landfilled or incinerated. If at some future time, the DNR determines that adequate markets for these plastics exist, they will be banned from disposal.

Additional Banned Materials

  • Lead acid batteries
  • Major appliances including air conditioners, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, stoves, ovens, dehumidifiers, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and microwave ovens (unless the capacitor has been removed)
  • Waste oils, except when incinerated with energy recovery
  • Yard waste, including grass clippings, leaves, yard and garden debris and brush under 6 inches in diameter. Yard waste may go to an approved compost facility or be incinerated with reasonable alternatives are not available.
  • E-Waste: As of September 1, 2010, devices covered under 2009 Act 50, Wisconsin's electronics recycling law, including computers, televisions, desktop printers, computer peripherals, DVD players, digital video recorders, VCRs, fax machines and phones with video displays (cell phones) are banned from Wisconsin landfills and incinerators For more information, see E-Cycle Wisconsin covered devices.
  • Used Oil Filters and absorbents: As of January 1, 2011, used oil filters and oil absorbent materials over one gallon are banned from Wisconsin landfills. In addition, used antifreeze can also be recycled at all centers. For more information, view Solid Wastes or the current Recycling Guide for your municipality.

In order to accomplish the task of recycling these materials, the above-noted municipalities provide for a convenient drop-off center for its residences to properly dispose of the above-mentioned banned items. View Recycling Guides under Forms and Documents for the proper recycling of your waste materials and Recycling Drop-Off Center locations in your municipality. The Drop Off Centers also will accept other items such as scrap metal and garbage. There are fees involved for the proper disposal of specific items. Please view the Recycling Drop-Off Fees. View Services for additional information on how to recycle the specific materials.