Clean Sweep

Hazardous Waste Collection & Disposal for Households: Eligible Chemicals

To protect the environment, Wisconsin Clean Sweep accepts a wide variety of unwanted chemicals from households. Municipalities work hard to inform citizen of what type of wastes can be brought to the collection site. To ensure you do not bring them something they cannot accept on collection day, be familiar with their instructions and contact your municipal clean sweep coordinator before packing up chemicals on collection day.

Widely Accepted Chemicals and Materials:

• Household pesticides including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides
• Plumbing system cleaning agents such as lye and acids
• Solvents such as acetone, turpentine, mineral spirits
• Non-latex paints: lead, enamel, oil-based, and metal-based
• Photographic chemicals
• Acids (sulfuric, muriatic, hydrochloric) and strong bases
• Elemental mercury and mercury-containing devices such as thermometers, thermostats, switches, manometers
• Ni-CD, lithium, and mercury batteries
• Pool and spa chemicals along with bleaches
• Wood and paint stripping agents such as methyl chloride
• Wood treatments containing penta, creosote, or arsenic
• Non-latex coatings such as lacquer, stains, and varnishes
• Contaminated waste oil and hydraulic fluids
• Flammable materials such as lighter fluids, charcoal lighter, kerosene and waste gas
• Exterior surface coatings such as deck stains and driveway sealers
• Aerosol cans containing many of the above

The Wisconsin Clean Sweep program cannot reimburse municipalities for certain wastes. BEFORE bringing the following items to the Clean Sweep, check with the local coordinator whether they will be accepted and if there will be charge for them:

• Latex paint and ALL water-based products such as stains and strippers
• Lead acid and deep-cycle batteries
• Lawn and garden fertilizers
• Fluorescent tubes or bulbs
• Freon gases and Freon-containing appliances
• Propane cylinders or tanks
• Tires
• Electronic goods like computers

Chemicals and Materials That Can Be Placed in Trash or Poured Down Drains: Contact your local DNR office.

• High pressure cylinders
• Infectious, biological wastes, and needles (sharps)
• Explosives including detonators and blasting caps
• Radioactive chemicals and devices
• Ammunition
• Smoke detectors (contact manufacturer for disposal instructions)

NOTE: Some low-level radioactive chemicals can be disposed through the Department of Health and Family Services.

For more information on Wisconsin Clean Sweep, contact 608-224-4545 or send an email.