Recycling in Wausau, WI

Where this information comes from

Call before you go

• Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Marathon County Solid Waste Department
  • Listed household hazardous waste items, including oil-based paint, are collected at no charge for Marathon County residents; others pay full disposal costs. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted items include oil-based paint, thinners, turpentine and varnish; latex paint is not accepted (dry it and trash it). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • An appointment is required at least one day ahead, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; book online or call 715-446-3101. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Anyone from any county may use the service; there is no charge to Marathon County residents, but residents of other counties pay full disposal costs. Checked October 26, 2026.
• What Do I Do With... (opens in new tab) · Marathon County Solid Waste Department
  • Computers, laptops, printers, televisions, DVD players and other banned electronics can be recycled at the Marathon County Solid Waste Department for a fee ranging from $20 to $50. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • All kinds of tires are accepted for recycling; auto, small truck and motorcycle tires are $15 each. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • All kinds of appliances are accepted for recycling for a fee, including microwave ovens and treadmills; refrigerators and freezers are also accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Furniture (couches, tables, chairs, dressers) and mattresses/box springs are accepted for disposal as regular refuse at posted rates. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Banned electronics that can be brought to the Marathon County Solid Waste Department for recycling include computer monitors, computers and laptops, and televisions of all kinds. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wisconsin DNR: Electronics Recycling (E-cycle) (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • E-Cycle Wisconsin is a manufacturer-funded statewide program that collects and recycles certain electronics used by households and K-12 schools. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DNR offers a finder for electronics collection sites and free mail-back programs. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wisconsin DNR: E-Cycle Wisconsin program information (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Individuals and K-12 schools can use E-Cycle Wisconsin to save on electronics recycling (DNR does not say it is free at collection sites). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Individuals and K-12 schools may recycle electronics through E-Cycle Wisconsin; businesses are not eligible. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Businesses must still recycle, reuse or manage their electronics as hazardous waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The electronics disposal bans apply to devices from everyone: households, schools, businesses, governments and institutions. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Televisions are banned from Wisconsin landfills and incinerators. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Computers (desktop, laptop, netbook, tablet), qualifying game consoles, desktop printers and computer monitors are banned from Wisconsin landfills and incinerators. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Computer accessories (keyboards, mice, speakers, external hard drives, flash drives) and DVD players, VCRs and DVRs are also banned from disposal. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • TV and monitor accessories (remotes, cable/satellite/streaming receivers, cords and A/V cables, security cameras, home theater speakers), fax machines and cellphones are also banned from disposal. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Eligible electronics under E-Cycle Wisconsin include cellphones, computers, desktop printers and computer monitors. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Eligible electronics also include fax machines, tablets and e-readers, televisions, video game consoles and battery-operated hand-held game devices. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wis. Stat. 287.07 Prohibitions on land disposal and incineration (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Legislature (Wisconsin Statutes)
  • Since September 1, 2010, state law has banned listed electronic devices from landfills, solid waste incinerators and from trash containers headed to them. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wisconsin DNR: How to recycle electronics in Wisconsin (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Electronics from Wisconsin households and K-12 schools may be recycled through E-Cycle Wisconsin. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Many electronics manufacturers also offer free mail-back programs, mainly for consumers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Recycling fees vary between collection sites; DNR advises calling ahead to find the total cost. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Before going, ask a collection site or recycler what it takes, whom it accepts from, what it charges, whether it picks up and how it destroys data. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Disconnect devices from online services and erase personal data before recycling; deleting files does not clear them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Working computers and other electronics may be donated to a school, nonprofit or other organization; call first. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wisconsin DNR: What to recycle in Wisconsin (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Electronics do not belong in curbside recycling bins or carts; the equipment is not designed for them. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wisconsin DNR: Proper handling of used batteries (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Lead-acid batteries are banned from Wisconsin landfills and solid waste incinerators. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Lead-acid ("automotive type") batteries are those in cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and other vehicles and devices with internal combustion engines. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Consumers may bring lead-acid batteries for recycling to any Wisconsin retailer that sells them, during normal business hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Return is free when the customer buys a new battery and brings in a used one. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Without buying a new battery, customers may be charged up to $3 per used battery. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Retailers must charge a $10 deposit on automotive replacement batteries and refund it in money when the customer returns a used battery to the same retailer. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The retailer may ask for proof of purchase; the trade-in is not a product return and has no time limit. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Alkaline batteries may go in the trash, though some retailers and recycling locations accept them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Never put batteries or electronics in curbside recycling carts or bins. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • When storing batteries for recycling, tape the ends with clear packing tape or bag each battery separately. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DNR points residents to The Battery Network (1-877-2-RECYCLE): many retailers in this nonprofit program have in-store collection boxes for rechargeable batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents can also contact their local recycling program about battery collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The E-Cycle Wisconsin site list also shows some rechargeable battery collection locations. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Wis. Stat. 287.18 Lead acid battery collection (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Legislature (Wisconsin Statutes)
  • For batteries brought in without a trade-in purchase, a retailer need not accept more than 2 per person per day. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The deposit rule covers automotive-type batteries such as car, truck, motorcycle, ATV, UTV, snowmobile, golf cart, tractor, lawn and garden, marine and other engine-starting batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.