Dane County Waste & Renewables

Organic Recycling Services

At over 30%, Organics such as food and yard waste are one of the largest waste streams entering the Dane County landfill. To recycle these resources, Dane County Department of Waste + Renewables has partnered with Purple Cow Organics to compost organic materials diverted from the landfill. Learn more below about how residents can participate!

Free Food Scrap Stops

Sign up for our free food scrap collection program! Residents must register below to sign up and receive the combination lock code. Collection carts are locked to prevent trash contamination from passersby, and ensure a quality final compost product as well as long-term collection program success.

For questions about the program, please email: Waste.Renewables@DaneCounty.Gov

Food Scrap Stop User Registration Form

Accepted Food Scrap Items

Resident Food Scrap Drop-Off Locations

In partnership with host municipalities, the Dane County Department of Waste + Renewables is collecting food scraps from FREE residential drop-off locations across Dane County for composting at Purple Cow Organics.

Community drop-off locations are open now in Madison, Middleton, Verona, Fitchburg, Mount Horeb and McFarland. To view the current Scrap Stop Locations, visit this Google Maps page: https://tinyurl.com/Scrap-Stop-Map.

Collection Cart Locks - How To

Locks have returned to collection carts in order to prevent contamination!

If you don’t remember the code: for instant access, re-register for the program using the form linked here
If a lock isn't opening: enter the code, then push the gold lock body into the silver lock loop.

Household Collection Tips

Looking for tips on how to collect food scraps at home? Check out our guide below!

Household Collection Tips + Bagging Guidelines

Food Scrap Stop Newsletter

Click below to check out our program newsletter for this season's Food Scrap Stop updates!

Scrap Stop hoja informativa en Espanol aqui

Food Scrap Stop Newsletter 10.23.25

Commercial Food Scraps Pickup

If your business is interested in food scraps collection services, please fill out the form linked below. Feel free to reach out with questions: Waste.Renewables@danecounty.gov

For a list of commerical items accepted, click here.

Commercial Inquiry Form

Yard Waste + Brush

Accepted items:
Yard waste (leaves, grass, plant debris)
Brush (clean branches smaller than 6 inches)
Wood chips (clean, already chipped wood chips)

Not accepted: landscaping fabric / plastic, root balls, rocks, soil, sod, burnt wood, coals, ashes, treated, painted, stained, or laminated wood

See landfill guidelines for disposing of invasive weeds.

Rates & Payment

Wood Yard Drop-Off

Branches and Logs larger than 6 inches.

Clean brush, logs and branches are accepted for mulch recycling at the landfill's Wood Yard. Please do not mix brush for chipping with other yard waste, as these materials are handled separately and can be dropped off in adjacent marked piles within the wood yard.

Contact

News

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