Household Hazardous Materials Facility Answers

Q: 1. Where are you located?

A: The Household Hazardous Materials (HHM) facility is located at 3202 Berlin Drive in La Crosse, WI on the La Crosse County Landfill complex. Berlin Drive is just off of Hwy 16, east of Woodman's towards West Salem.

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Q: 2. When are you open?

A: Household Hazardous Materials facility hours

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Q: 3. Do I need an appointment?

A: La Crosse County residents do not need an appointment unless you have more than 200 pounds of materials to dispose.

Out-of-county residents, businesses and organizations must make an appointment.

To make an appointment, contact us at (608)785-9999 or [email protected].

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Q: 4. How do I contact you?

A: For inquiries and appointments, you can call the Household Hazardous Materials facility at (608)785-9999 or email us at [email protected]

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Q: 5. I'm not a resident of La Crosse County, can I still bring items to the Household Hazardous Materials facility?

A: Yes, anyone may use the HHM program. However, citizens who are not residents of La Crosse County must pay to drop off household hazardous materials and should make an appointment.

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Q: 6. What items can I bring to the Household Hazardous Materials facility?

A: Acceptable materials

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Q: 7. How much does it cost to drop items off at the Household Hazardous Materials facility?

A: La Crosse County residents with materials generated from their own household may drop off household hazardous materials at no charge except for a few specialty items. 

Residents outside of La Crosse County are welcome to use our facility but will be charged applicable fees for all items.

For information regarding out-of-county and specialty fees, please refer to our Household User Pricing document.

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Q: 8. Is there anything I cannot bring to the Household Hazardous Materials facility?

A: We do not accept the following items:

• Compressed gas cylinders (other than propane)
• Controlled substance medications 
• Explosives (including black powder, fireworks and military munitions)
• Shock sensitive materials (picric acid, etc.)
• Radioactive materials (including smoke detectors)

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Q: 9. What if I have a chemical waste but don’t know what it is?

A: It is best to contact the La Crosse County Household Hazardous Materials facility prior to transporting unknown materials.  Our experienced staff is able to provide consultation and has the resources to make proper waste determinations. We can be reached at (608) 785-9999 or [email protected]

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Q: 10. I have some potentially explosive material, how do I safely dispose of it?

A: The La Crosse County Household Hazardous Materials program does not accept explosive materials.  Items such as black powder, fireworks, military munitions and picric acid can be extremely dangerous if not handled properly. For proper disposal of explosive materials, contact the Dane County Hazardous Devices Unit at 608-283-3941.  

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Q: 11. How do I safely transport items to the Household Hazardous Materials facility?

A: When bringing materials to our facility, please follow the guidelines outlined in the Safe Transportation document.

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Q: 12. How do I get rid of unwanted medications?

A: Please do not flush unwanted medications-there are many local alternatives!  The La Crosse County Household Hazardous Materials program accepts the following over-the-counter and prescription medications: 

• Prescription medications (non-controlled only)
• Over-the-counter medications
• Pet medications
• Ointments and lotions
• Inhalers

Medications must be in their original container with the name of the medication clearly visible.  Loose pills will not be accepted.

In addition, medication drop boxes are located at many law enforcement and pharmacy locations and can be found on the Wisconsin Dose of Reality website

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Q: 13. How do I properly manage used medical sharps?

A: Needles, syringes, auto-injectors (Epi Pens) and lancets must be transported to the HHM facility in sealed, puncture-resistant containers. Additional sharps collection sites can be found on the Alliance to HEAL website.

To reduce the risk of injury, follow the steps outlined in the Proper Sharps Management document

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Q: 14. What do I do with paint containers?

A: ​The following options can be used for proper paint container disposal:

• Liquified paint – Containers holding liquified paint can be brought to the Household Hazardous Materials Facility.
• Dried Paint – Containers holding dried paint can be disposed of in your regular garbage.
• Empty containers – Empty containers formerly holding paint can go in your recycling bin.
• Aerosols – Spray paint containers with contents should be brought to the Household Hazardous Materials Facility.  Completely empty spray paint containers can go in your recycling bin. ​ 

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Q: 15. How do I properly dispose of electronics?

A: Wisconsin law bans certain items from being placed in the trash.  Banned electronics, including microwaves, are accepted at the Household Hazardous Materials (HHM) facility where they are managed for recycling.  Fees apply for televisions, monitors and microwaves.

Electronic devices that don’t appear on the banned list can be handled for disposal at home via curbside recycling or garbage. Some examples include audio equipment and speakers, kitchen electronics (coffee makers, mixers, toasters etc.), bathroom electronics (hair dryers, curling irons etc.), home décor electronics (lamps, clocks etc.) and power tools.

Please give us a call at (608) 785-9999 if you have questions whether your items need to be brought to HHM facility.  You can also contact your municipality or waste/recycling contractor for a list of items that can be managed curbside.

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Q: 16. Do you accept refrigerant containing appliances?

A: Yes. Small refrigerant containing appliances (dorm refrigerators, dehumidifiers, window air conditions) can be brought to the Household Hazardous Materials facility or Landfill.  Larger items (kitchen refrigerators and chest freezers) are only accepted at the Landfill.  Each refrigerant containing item has a $20 charge to drop off.

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Q: 17. I operate a farm, how can I dispose of my agricultural chemicals?

A: The Household Hazardous Materials program accepts up to 200 pounds of agricultural chemicals (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, rodenticides) from La Crosse County agricultural operations at no charge.  Quantities in excess of 200 pounds will be invoiced at our normal business rates. We ask that agricultural operators complete our VSQG packet and make an appointment prior to disposal. 

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Q: 18. I generate business waste, what rules apply to me?

A: The Household Hazardous Materials program is available to assist small businesses and organizations with their hazardous material disposal needs.  For more information, visit https://lacrossecounty.org/hmp or call us at (608) 789-7555.

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Q: 19. What happens to the materials I drop off at the Household Hazardous Materials facility?

A: Many people are surprised when they learn about disposal costs.  In many cases, products cost more to properly dispose of than the original purchase price.  We strive to manage these materials in the most sustainable means possible.  Over 80% of materials we receive are reused, recycled, or utilized as an industrial fuel.

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Q: 20. How does the Product Reuse Room work?

A: When materials are brought to the Household Hazardous Materials facility, staff sort and identify items that are safe for use.  These items are placed in the Product Reuse Room where they are given back to the community. This greatly benefits citizens who are able to use these products and represents a sustainable option for these materials.  All reuse items are free, but donations are appreciated. Please note that only staff are allowed to place items in the Product Reuse Room.

The Product Reuse Room is attached to the east side of the landfill office building, directly adjacent to the HHM facility and is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Q: 21. How did you become established?

A: The La Crosse County Household Hazardous Materials (HHM) facility began operations in 2003 and is a permanent, year-round collection program of the La Crosse County Solid Waste Department. Overwhelming support from La Crosse County stakeholders, as well as a significant contribution from Xcel Energy, made this program a reality.  Continued backing by La Crosse County and its municipalities, small business fees and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Clean Sweep grant program help maintain this important service. For a full narrative of the HHM program's history, visit Our Story.

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Q: 22. Can I bring batteries to the Household Hazardous Materials Facility?

A: The Household Hazardous Materials program accepts lithium and rechargeable batteries (Such as those in your laptop, cell phone, or vehicle). Alkaline batteries (such as those in your TV remote control) can be disposed of in your regular garbage.  For more information, review the Household Battery Recycling publication.

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Q: 23. Where can I find safer alternatives to traditional chemical products?

A: Please visit EPA's Safer Choice website to learn more about products that contain safer ingredients for human health and the environment.

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