Hazardous Waste Clean Sweep
Many common items like automotive products, household cleaners, pesticides and home improvement products are hazardous when used, stored or disposed of improperly. Look for items that contain the following warnings on their labels: Danger, Warning, Caution, Poison, Combustible, Flammable, Corrosive, and Toxic. Households and farms may participate for free, businesses receive discounted rates.
Thanks to our participants and volunteers, since our collection started in 1985, we have collected 1,260,093 pounds of unwanted chemicals.
NEW —Residents can bring acceptable household hazardous waste items to the Brown County Hazardous Waste Facility free of charge throughout 2026. For more information visit the Brown County Option webpage.
Clean Sweep 2026 Flyer
Clean Sweep 2026 Flyer – Spanish version
LOCATION AND TIMES
Residents
Saturday, May 16, 2026 9am to Noon
Manitowoc County Highway Shop
3500 HWY 310, Manitowoc
NEW -Truck bed full and trailerful loads must register by May 8 (see below for household guidelines)
Farms and Businesses
Registration is required by May 8, 2026 (see below for farm and business guidelines)
Friday, May 15, 2026 2pm to 4pm
Manitowoc County Highway Shop
3500 HWY 310, Manitowoc
NO LATEX PAINT – All residents are encouraged to dispose of latex paint in their regular trash. Just take the lid off and let it dry or add paint hardener or cat litter. Once hardened, latex paint can be disposed of in the trash.
ACCEPTABLE HAZARDOUS WASTE ITEMS
- Pesticides
- Herbicides
- Insecticides
- Fungicides
- Rodenticides
- Other poisonous repellents and banned chemicals (DDT)
- Oil based paints
- Oil (non-hazardous but covered under our arrangement, please consider taking oil to one of the local drop offs)
- Varnishes
- Shellacs
- Turpentine
- Thinners
- Lead based paints
- Aerosols (full or part full)
- Wood preservatives
- Oven cleaners
- Spot removers
- Polishes
- Contaminated oil
- Antifreeze (non-hazardous but covered under our arrangement)
- Old gasoline
- Acids/bases
- Mothballs
- Pool and spa chemicals
- Photographic chemicals
- Chemical strippers
- Nicotine Vape Pens
UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS
- LATEX PAINT
- Explosives such as ammunition
- Radioactive materials such as smoke detectors
- Compressed gas tanks and high pressure cylinders such as fire extinguishers and propane tanks
- Unknown chemicals
- Tires
- Infectious and biological waste
- Sharps and needles
- Light bulbs
- TVs and electronic components
- Appliances
- Freon gases
- Pharmaceuticals
- THC/Cannabis Vape Pens
Other options exist for many unacceptable items. Contact the Manitowoc County Recycling Center at 920-683-4333 for information.
Manitowoc County may modify these guidelines at any time to meet the needs of the program.
GUIDELINES
Household Guidelines
- Household participants may dispose of acceptable hazardous waste items at no cost on May 16, 9am to Noon.
- Large loads (truck bed full or trailer load full) must register by May 8 or may face delays being unloaded. Call the Manitowoc County Recycling Center at 920-683-4333 to register. Be prepared to give information on the type and quantity of chemicals.
- Participants must be residents of Manitowoc County.
- Wastes must be brought in the original containers. Do NOT mix chemicals.
- Unknown substances and commercial waste will not be accepted.
- To prepare materials for transport, place in a leak proof tote or plastic lined cardboard box. Cushion as necessary to avoid breakage.
- When arriving at the Clean Sweep disposal site, slow down and follow traffic directions.
- Do not bring materials to the event before or after the listed time.
- Manitowoc County residents can bring acceptable household hazardous waste items to the Brown County Hazardous Waste Facility free of charge. For more information visit the Brown County Option webpage.
Farm and Agricultural Guidelines
- Farmers and rural property owners may bring chemicals from active and abandoned farms for disposal at no cost on May 15 between 2pm and 4pm.
- Farms and agricultural businesses must register by May 8. Call the Recycling Center main office at 920-683-4333, be prepared to give information on the type and quantity of chemicals.
- Many types of agricultural operations are eligible for disposal service including: livestock, grain, holiday trees, poultry, fruit, vegetable and aquaculture.
- Non-agriculture operations that bring in farm chemicals should register as a business and may be eligible for a 50% disposal subsidy.
- Drums that have contained, or still contain agricultural chemicals will be accepted.
Business Guidelines
- Businesses must register by May 8. Review the Veolia VSQG Introductory Letter and print out the Veolia Chemical Inventory Form. Send your completed inventory form via e-mail to [email protected] or call 262-875-7014 for assistance.
- Registered businesses will be sent an estimate and scheduled for May 15 between 2pm and 4pm.
- Businesses must qualify as a Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) through self-certification to dispose of their waste.
- VSQG produce less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month and store less than 2,205 pounds. Other limits may apply.
- Businesses can be retail, wholesale, manufacturing, commercial real estate, non-profit, schools, churches, golf courses and restaurants.
- Acceptable items include all those listed, and chemicals associated with:
- Business site and grounds maintenance such as pesticides, cleaners, disinfectants and vehicle chemicals.
- Manufacturing and process chemicals such as oxidizers, acids, caustics, technical grade chemicals, laboratory reagents, polymers, reactive metals, mercury-based products, etc.
- All sludge’s (weight scale pits, sump pits) are eligible for Clean Sweep disposal. Agrichemical sludge (pesticide containing sludge from mixing and loading operations) is eligible for a 50 percent disposal subsidy.
PROGRAM COORDINATION AND SPONSORS
Manitowoc County Public Works Department, Manitowoc County Recycling Center, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP), Waste Management Inc., Manitowoc County UW Extension.