Manitowoc County Recycling Center & Compost Sites

09/29/2026

We have switched to a smaller screen size for our compost so we now have a finer product available. This makes it easier to work with in garden and landscape projects. In the past screening was done with a 3/4 to 1 inch trommel screen but we are using a 1/2 inch screen.

09/15/2026

The Manitowoc County Recycling Center will have the truck scale down for repairs on 9-18 and 9-19 and will NOT be accepting large loads of tires, commercial brush, or any other item requiring vehicle weights while the scale is offline. This will not affect the sale of compost products, electronics recycling or other drop off services that do not involve truck scale weights.

08/04/2026

07/21/2026

It is dangerous to put oxygen tanks, propane tanks, or any other high pressure cylinders in your trash or recycling. When these items go through compactors and balers, they can explode and cause injuries or fire.

A sanitation worker in Milwaukee was hospitalized when improperly disposed oxygen tanks exploded in a garbage truck near 9th and Abert Place.

06/08/2026

The Woodland Compost Site has officially reopened. It was temporarily closed due to being overwhelmed with brush/branches from the recent storm.

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. When this happens, they may be closed or restricted until the material can be processed.

Both Compost Sites and the Main Office are closed on Sundays and holidays.

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/.