Environmental Management

Waste & Materials Management Program announcements and public comment opportunities

Public comment opportunities from the DNR's Waste & Materials Management Program are available on this page. You can also view DNR-wide public hearings, meetings and public comment opportunities.Current opportunities for public commentThere are…

Beneficial use of industrial byproducts

2024 Annual CertificationOnline reporting for the 2024 Annual Certification for the beneficial use of industrial byproducts is scheduled to be available on Feb. 5 and due April 1, 2025. Beneficial use generators and storage facilities will receive…

Wisconsin Hazardous Waste Annual Report

The 2024 Hazardous Waste Annual Report is now open on the DNR Switchboard. Reports are due March 1, 2025.Wisconsin's hazardous waste regulations require several types of hazardous waste generators to report to the Department of Natural Resources…

Air Monitoring Map for Industrial Sand Mine/Processing Plants

Industrial sand operations that have a requirement in their permit to monitor for particulate matter must provide ambient monitoring data to the DNR. The DNR Air Management Program works with industrial sand facilities to provide technical…

Locations of Industrial Sand Mines and Processing Plants in Wisconsin

Industrial sand for use in the petroleum, glass and foundry industries has been produced in Wisconsin for over 40 years. The demand for sand increased exponentially starting in 2014, related to use of Wisconsin sand as a proppant in the extraction…

Green & Healthy Schools

Compost use, quality and marketing

Marketing compost and achieving the compost quality needed for specific uses are important considerations for a composting facility owner. It's essential to identify the target market, ensure an appropriate compost quality and develop a suitable…

Wisconsin Recycling and Solid Waste Studies and Reports

Since Wisconsin's recycling law took effect in the mid-1990s, the DNR has used annual reports and surveys to monitor the progress and success of Wisconsin's recycling efforts. These reports and surveys come from local government responsible unit…

Annual reports for responsible units and materials recovery facilities

Both recycling responsible units (RUs) and materials recovery facilities (MRFs) must submit annual reports to the DNR covering activities for the previous calendar year.Visit Wisconsin recycling studies and reports for data from previous reports.

Composting rules and regulations in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s composting rules include basic operating and location requirements to prevent composting from becoming a nuisance to neighbors and to ensure nutrients are not released to groundwater or nearby lakes and streams. The rules require most…