Dane County Waste & Renewables

Please note that we will be operating with the following reduced hours on Monday, October 12th:

Clean Sweep: Closed for the day
Landfill: Open from 6:30am - 10:30am
Construction and Demolition Facility: Closed until October 19th.

We will resume normal business hours from 6:30AM to 3:15PM on that following Tuesday, October 13th.

Compost 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!

Sign up for Food Scrap Stops

Sign up for our free food scrap drop-off program! Residents must register below to sign up and receive the combination lock code. The same combination code is shared across all sites. 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

Click here to register for the Scrap Stop program!

Accepted Food Scrap Items

Food Scrap Drop-Off Locations

In partnership with host municipalities, the Dane County Department of Waste + Renewables is collecting food scraps from many residential drop-off locations across Dane County.

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 are placed on 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. The lock should then pop open.
To latch the lock, scramble the numbers, then push the lock together.

Household Collection Tips

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

Household Collection Tips + Bagging Guidelines

Organics Management Grants

The Dane County Department of Waste + Renewables offers an annual Organics Management Grant to help fund projects that reduce or eliminate the volume of organic materials, such as food scraps and yard waste, disposed of at the landfill. Learn more a the link below!

Organics Management Grants

Commercial Food Scraps Pickup

If your business or organization 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.

Commercial Inquiry Form

List of food items accepted in commercial program

Yard Waste + Small 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

Plastic bags for containing yard waste will not be accepted. Paper yard waste bags are permitted for use only.

See landfill guidelines for disposing of invasive weeds.

Rates & Payment

Large Brush + Logs

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.

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