Household hazardous waste is any waste product found in your home, yard or garage that can cause substantial harm to human health or the environment when improperly managed. Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, garages, and barns are all places where you may store items with properties that make them hazardous. Look for symbols or words like toxic, poisonous, corrosive, reactive, ignitable, or flammable.
We are no longer holding annual collection events but are now offering a program that allows residents to drop-off hazardous waste year-round.
Voucher Program
(for St. Croix County residents only)
Dispose of your hazardous waste for free any time of year. A voucher is available so that residents can coordinate disposal of their hazardous waste through a local vendor. The voucher program does not apply to businesses. Once you provide a materials list, the vendor will contact you to schedule a drop-off appointment. Unscheduled drop-offs will not be accepted.
Learn more and get your voucher number
Oil-based paints are now covered for free. But the cost for latex paints will not be covered under the voucher program. Latex can still be brought to the vendor, but the resident will have to cover disposal fee.
Once latex paint is no longer in a liquid form it is not considered hazardous waste and can be thrown in the trash. Use saw dust, kitty litter or a paint hardener to turn latex paint into a solid.
Or contact your local paint store for their take-back paint program.
Accepted Hazardous Waste
The following items are accepted for free except those marked in bold:
- Adhesives w/solvents
- Aerosol cans*
- Air freshener sprays
- Automotive cleaners and fluids
- Bathroom cleaners *
- Brake fluid, carb cleaner
- Cement and glues
- Concrete cleaners (acid) *
- Corrosives and lye
- Degreasers, trans fluid
- Drain and toilet bowl cleaners
- Floor and furniture stripper
- Fluorescent bulbs and tubes
- Gasoline, lighter fluid
- Insect, rodent poison *
- Mercury thermometers and thermostats
- Metal cleaners, polishes *
- Oil filters and used motor oil
- Oven cleaners *
- Paint & Stain: oil-based
Latex paint will be charged a fee - Paint stripper and solvents
- PCB’s
- Pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides
- Pool chemicals
- Rechargeable batteries and products with embedded lithium-ion batteries
- Roofing tar and driveway sealant
- Shellac, varnish, urethane, polyurethane
- Spot removers *
- Smoke detectors
- Vape pens (must be completely empty)
- Weed killer and fertilizers with weed killer
* Non-Hazardous Options:
View our Non-Toxic Alternatives page for cleaning and pest control options.
Read the DNR's Household Hazardous Waste Management Guide for a more complete list of proper disposal methods for items that should be brought to Clean Sweep, thrown in the trash or flushed down the drain.
Recyclable Waste Not Accepted
Check our A-Z Recycling & Disposal Guide for more options.
- Appliances and scrap metal (bring to Redemption Recycling, the Town of Richmond's recycling center or to a special county collection event)
- Electronics (bring to Redemption Recycling, the Town of Richmond's recycling center or to a special county collection event)
- Tires (bring to the Town of Richmond's recycling center or to a special county collection events)
- Automotive batteries (check with your local battery retailer or auto service center)
- Biological & medical waste, needles & sharps (check with your local hospitals or medical clinics)
- Prescriptions drugs (bring to local police department)
- Explosives — gunpowder, ammunition & fireworks (bring to your local police department)
- Spray foam insulation cylinders — only if completely empty (take to a scrap metal recycle site or return to manufacturer)
View The EPA's Safer Choice website for non-hazardous alternatives for many types of household and automotive cleaners.
Businesses and Churches
Reach out to the county's recycling specialist for information on how to safely dispose of your hazardous waste. kris.poston@sccwi.gov or 715-531-1907