Common Household Items You Can’t Just Throw Away

A practical guide for residents in Madison, Wisconsin and Dane County

It’s easy to assume everything can go in your trash cart. In reality, Dane County has landfill bans and special handling rules for many everyday items—mostly to protect groundwater, reduce fire risks, and recover valuable materials.

Here’s a clear breakdown of common items you shouldn’t throw away—and what to do instead.

Electronics (TVs, computers, printers)

Electronics are banned from Wisconsin landfills under the state’s e-cycling law. They contain metals and components that need proper processing.

What to do instead:

• Use a registered e-cycling site or retailer drop-off

• Many local options accept TVs, laptops, and accessories (fees may apply for certain items)

Batteries (especially lithium-ion)

Loose batteries—especially lithium-ion—are a major cause of fires in trucks and facilities.

What to do instead:

• Tape terminals and bring them to a battery recycling drop-off

• Rechargeable and lithium batteries should never go in the trash or curbside recycling

Paint (oil-based) and solvents

Oil-based paints, stains, and solvents are considered hazardous and are banned from the landfill.

What to do instead:

• Take them to the county’s household hazardous waste program

• Latex paint can often be dried out and disposed of, but check current local guidance first

Chemicals & household hazardous waste

This includes things like pesticides, automotive fluids, pool chemicals, and certain cleaners.

What to do instead:

• Use the county’s hazardous waste facility for safe handling and disposal

• These materials are kept out of landfills to prevent contamination

Appliances (fridges, AC units, dehumidifiers)

Appliances that contain refrigerants require special handling before recycling or disposal.

What to do instead:

• Take them to a facility that can remove refrigerants safely

• Scrap metal recycling is typically available once they’re properly processed

Tires

Tires are banned from landfills in Wisconsin.

What to do instead:

• Bring them to a tire retailer or recycling facility

• Many shops accept old tires for a small fee

Yard waste (leaves, grass, brush)

Organic material is not accepted in the landfill because it can be composted.

What to do instead:

• Use city collection programs or drop-off sites for yard waste

• Materials are turned into mulch or compost

Fluorescent bulbs & CFLs

These contain small amounts of mercury and require proper disposal.

What to do instead:

• Drop them off at designated recycling points or hazardous waste sites

• Do not place them in regular trash or recycling bins

Mattresses (increasingly regulated)

While not always banned, mattresses are bulky and difficult to landfill efficiently. Many areas are moving toward recycling programs.

What to do instead:

• Check for local recycling or special collection options

• Some facilities separate metal springs, foam, and fabric for reuse

Why These Rules Exist

Dane County’s system is built around two priorities:

1. Protecting the environment (especially groundwater and air quality)

2. Reducing landfill use by recovering materials that still have value

That’s why many of these items are either banned or redirected—they can be reused, recycled, or safely processed instead of buried.

The Bottom Line

If an item contains:

• Chemicals

• Metals or electronics

• Pressurized components

• Organic material

…it likely doesn’t belong in your trash cart.

Taking a few extra minutes to dispose of these items correctly helps keep the entire system safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.

If you’re unsure about a specific item, it’s always worth checking local disposal guidelines—because in Dane County, how you throw something away matters just as much as what you throw away.