What can individuals do instead of burning household and yard wastes?

Instead of burning, the DNR recommends that you:

  • Reduce usage - buy in bulk or larger quantities and demand less packaging on the products you buy.
  • Reuse items - find someone else who can use it, have a yard sale, or donate it to a resale organization.
  • Recycle newspaper, office paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, magazines, aluminum, metal and acceptable plastics.
  • Compost leaves and plant clippings. View the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) Composting in Wisconsin page or consult with University of Wisconsin-Extension and your local government to find out whether local ordinances allow you to compost raw vegetables, bread, egg shells and coffee grounds.
  • Chip brush and clean wood to make mulch or decorative chips, or use it as heating fuel in wood stoves or boilers.
  • Dispose of allowable waste materials at a licensed landfill. For more information about what items may be disposed of at licensed landfills, view WIDNR Managing Waste and Materials.

Show All Answers

1. Can I burn?
2. What kinds of materials may not be burned by individual property owners?
3. What materials are individual property owners allowed to burn outdoors?
4. What can individuals do instead of burning household and yard wastes?
5. It is illegal to use burn barrels to dispose of garbage?
6. Why must people get burning permits or licenses?
7. Can businesses, industries and municipalities open burn?