Household Hazardous Waste Management for Shawano County

Garbage, Yard Waste, Building Supplies and Recycling

Shawano Public Works

The Department of Public Works provides the physical facilities that make our community possible.  In the years that the City of Shawano has been incorporated, many streets, sidewalks and storms sewers have been constructed and reconstructed.  Local public works efforts have expanded from streets and storms sewers into waste collection, recycling and the operation of a landfill.

The Public Works Department is located at 2905 E. Richmond Street, Shawano, WI and is open Monday thru Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM (except specific holidays).

You can reach the Department of Public Works at 715-526-3512.  Fax#: 715-526-3519.

Waste oil can be brought to the Shawano Landfill to be recycled during their posted hours.

• Wood & Brush Disposal Information
• How to Recycle
• Landfill Costs for City Residents
• Yard Waste Information
• Prepare garbage for collection
• Shawano Landfill Information

Prescription Drop-Off Box

The drop-off box is located inside the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department at 405 North Main Street, Shawano. The slot to dump the drugs in is located in the outer lobby, which has 24-hour access. A surveillance camera provides additional security. There are some restrictions on what can be placed in the box, It is intended for pills, salves, creams and syrups, but not radioactive medications, nebulizers, inhalers or sharps. Please place any liquid medications in a sealed plastic bag.

To properly dispose of used syringes place in disposal case and take to Walgreen’s Pharmacy on E. Green Bay Street or the Shawano Public Works landfill during their regular business hours.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

A service provided for Brown, Outagamie and Shawano County Residents

2561 South Broadway in the Village of Ashwaubenon

Hours: Thursdays 12 noon – 8 p.m. * Saturdays 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Website: www.co.brown.wi.us/solid_waste

Contact Chris Blan, Solid Waste Technician (920) 492-4950

Many products contain hazardous material. Improper disposal of these products can cause harm to humans and the environment. This guide will help you identify hazardous products around your home. Keep your home safe by disposing of hazardous products properly! We accept business and farm material, call (920) 492-4950 for more details.

Paint Disposal Policy for the Brown County Household Hazardous Waste Facility

• Throwing paint into the garbage is a poor method of disposal. Paint liquids seep down through the landfill and create excess leakage that requires costly treatment. Liquids must be treated before paint can go into the landfill.
• Once paint liquids are evaporated or treated, the remaining sludge or pigment is no longer hazardous and is safe to take to the landfill. The Household Hazardous Waste Program cannot afford to pay for the disposal of empty cans or dried paint sludge. Help us better manage our costs by bringing paint to the HHW Facility as a last resort.
• Open all oil and latex paint containers. If the can is empty or the paint sludge is dry, dispose of the cans in your regular garbage. Leave curbside with the lids off or place in a bag with the lids off. If the cans contain small amounts of liquid, leave the cans open in a secure, well-ventilated area or mix the paint with sawdust or oil-dry until all the free liquid has been removed. Dispose of the cans and debris in the trash.
• When properly stored, paint has an amazing shelf life. Oil-based paint can last up to 15 years and latex paint will keep up to 10 years. If paint still mixes smoothly, it can probably still be used. If latex paint has frozen, brush it on a piece of paper. It hasn’t been damaged, it can still be used if there are no lumps.

What do we do with your Hazardous Waste?

• Most materials, like paint and solvents, are bulked into 55-gallon drums. These drugs are removed by a hazardous waste contractor who further bulks the material for transportation to a company that uses it as fuel. A cement kiln, for example, is a company that can use this material in a process similar to incineration called fuel blending. Fuel blending recovers the heat value, but at the same time the material is destroyed because of the high temperatures.
• Some materials, like pesticides, are packed into drums called loose packs. Loose packs are drums filled with smaller containers. These drums are sent to a disposal company for additional sorting. Some of this material may be fuel blended, but most will be incinerated. Incineration destroys large complex chemicals by breaking them down into small, less hazardous compounds like water, carbon dioxide and ash.
• Acids and bases are sent for disposal in lab packs. Lab packs are the same as loose packs, except a lab pack is accompanied by a container content sheet. This inventory sheet is used to further identify the hazardous components of the lab pack. Corrosive materials are neutralized to make them non-hazardous.
• Recycling is a very important part of our Facility. Recycling antifreeze, lead-acid batteries, oil, steel cans from bulk paints, mercury and fluorescent bulbs decreases the amount of materials that need to be destroyed.

Product Exchange Room

Much of the material brought to the Facility is in very good shape and doesn’t need to be disposed. The best way to handle this material is to use it for the purpose intended by the manufacturer. The Facility has a Product Exchange Room where people are able to pick up items that can still be used. Each year, 65,000 lbs. of paint, stains, thinners, pesticides, automotive and cleaning products are given away to the public. This is not a true exchange because you do not need to bring anything to take something. This is a great place to get free materials for home repairs and fix ups! The Product Exchange Room is open to the public every Thursday 12 noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

*Contact Public Works/Landfill

**Contact Police Department