Manitowoc County Recycling Center & Compost Sites

05/26/2026

The Woodland Compost Site is temporarily closed due to being overwhelmed with brush/branches from the recent storm. The site will reopen once the material can be processed and removed during the upcoming weeks.

The compost sites are designed for a normal amount of brush and branches that area residents generate throughout the year, including some mild to moderate storm damage. They can easily become overwhelmed after severe storms that affect large regions like we are experiencing now.

The Basswood Compost site, located at 3000 Basswood Road in Manitowoc, is currently open and residents can divert their material there.

Both Compost Sites and the Main Office are closed on Sundays and holidays. Visit https://manitowoccountywi.gov/departments/recycling-center/compost/yard-materials-drop-off/ for additional information.

05/05/2026

The Farm and Business portion of the Clean Sweep event will be held Friday May 15 from 2p - 4p. Typically, we have about 20-30 farms and businesses attend each year and turn in 10,000 -15,000lbs of unwanted chemicals. Farms may bring in acceptable hazardous materials for free. Qualifying businesses have reduced disposal costs. Both Farms and Businesses need to register for the event. If you are interested in attending the Farm or Business portion of the Clean Sweep event visit our website at https://manitowoccountywi.gov/.../recycl.../hazardous-waste/.

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,...

05/04/2026

The Manitowoc County Highway Department is auctioning off some unneeded equipment including 2 trucks, 2 plow trucks, chainsaws, tires, an excavator, and a floor scrubber. These auctions end on May 13th. Please direct any questions through the auction site listings.

https://bid.wisconsinsurplus.com/Public/Auction/AuctionItems?AuctionId=2IA%2fwGuvtNnthk44rv1nzA%3d%3d&Title=pVqmcP42jHJIz0BWDbuU8sOCcbPVVHXPPZ9wsryNbMcJ7KbJ0pkEd1U2OXdTFA9r&AuctionTypes=lYEVrUyUaI9qm0b3CsaHGg%3d%3d&totalItems=VKTInQCc5Z5GDcadk%2fdvnQ%3d%3d&viewtypeId=KHe6Qcx9tBs9J%2b%2fgnxeL3g%3d%3d&filter=ajBmiK%2b33KkMkTDWtuuLmg%3d%3d&pageNumber=pf6Q%2bhJtdeleDd9FfYpy9w%3d%3d

05/02/2026

Since our partnership with Brown County HMR started, Manitowoc residents have turned in 3430lbs of hazardous materials. This is a good option for those who cannot wait for our annual Clean Sweep event day or do not want to wait in line.

Where do materials go after you drop them off at the HMR?

It’s more than shipping it away.
• Materials are weighed and evaluated
• Usable products go to our free Product Exchange Room
• The rest are sorted by hazard type
• Some are neutralized
• Some are processed for fuel recovery
• Some are safely incinerated

It’s a careful, multi-step process designed to protect people and the environment.

04/30/2026

The Manitowoc County Waste Tire Collection has started and will run until October 31st. Residents and businesses can drop off tires for a fee at the Manitowoc County Recycling Center during normal office hours.

NOTE
*We can accept tires on rims
*We can accept dump truck loads from large cleanups
*We can accept bicycle tires, lawn mower tires
*We do NOT accept tire mulch from landscape applications
*We do NOT accept tires mixed with soil, rock, lumber, or garbage.

Please review the rates and guidelines; they are available online at https://manitowoccountywi.gov/dep.../recycling-center/tires/.

04/23/2026

04/20/2026

Our compost sites receive large volumes of chipped wood from residential properties through local tree trimming companies. It is great seeing innovative local uses for large amounts of materials like this.

04/13/2026

The 2026 Manitowoc County Hazardous Waste Clean Sweep event will be held Saturday, May 16 for households and Friday, May 15 for farms and qualifying businesses.

NOTE that there are changes to the program this year so make sure to review the guidelines!

Businesses, farms, and households with truck bed full or trailer full loads must register by calling 683-4333 by May 8. Residents and farms can dispose of hazardous chemicals for free. Qualifying businesses may be eligible for subsidized disposal rates.

Accepted items include pesticides, cleaning products, oil and lead based paints, automotive chemicals, and ni****ne v**e pens. Many of these common items 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. Latex paints will NOT be accepted at Clean Sweep.

As an extension of our Hazardous Waste program, residents can now bring acceptable household hazardous waste items to the Brown County Hazardous Waste Facility free of charge throughout 2026. Many nonacceptable items, like latex paint and fire extinguishers, may incur fees. For more information on the Brown County partnership program visit our website at https://manitowoccountywi.gov/departments/recycling-center/hazardous-waste/brown-county-option/

For complete program details visit our website the https://manitowoccountywi.gov/departments/recycling-center/hazardous-waste/

04/07/2026

There will be a drug disposal event on April 25 from 9am to Noon at the Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Hospital Main Entrance (2300 Western Ave). It will be a drive-through collection service, so please drive safely, stay in your car, and follow the direction of any traffic controllers. Don’t come before or after the listed times though! If you can't make the event there are local drug drop boxes available. Please review our guidelines and be sure to follow them, visit https://manitowoccountywi.gov/.../recyclin.../drug-disposal/ for details. 🙂💊💊

01/05/2026

The winter issue of the MRFturf newsletter is available. This edition contains information on hazardous waste disposal, needles/sharps disposal, lamp recycling, holiday light recycling, Christmas tree composting and the tree for a tree program, battery safety, and an update on the drug disposal program. Go to
https://manitowoccountywi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MRFTURFWinter2026.pdf to view it and learn more about your local recycling program. 🙂💶♻️