Waste facility and transporter licenses
Annual operating licenses issued for solid, hazardous and infectious waste activities cover a one-year period, from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. You may apply for a license at any point during the year, but will need to pay the full amount of any applicable license fees.
Waste type activity codes
The links below list types of waste that transporters or facilities may list on license applications and license renewal forms. The lists do not include all waste types subject to regulation.
Transporter/hauler licenses
Who needs a transporter license?
You need a waste transporter license if:
- you are transporting more than 20 tons of solid waste during a year;
- you transport hazardous waste from businesses or institutions (non-households); or
- you are transporting more than 50 pounds of infectious waste within any one calendar month. Visit the infectious waste page for more information.
For more about specific types of waste that may require transporter licenses, refer to the following:
- Requirements for Haulers of Solid Waste or Recyclable (WA-1619)
- Transporting Hazardous Waste (WA-137) [PDF]
- Information for waste tire haulers
- Used Oil Management (WA-233) [PDF]
Not everyone needs a state license to transport solid waste, recyclables, hazardous waste or infectious waste. For example, households hauling their own trash do not need a transporter license. Contact the DNR environmental program associate for your area to learn more about whether any exemptions apply to you.
How to apply for transporter licenses
Transporter licenses are specific to the type of waste being hauled. If you will be hauling more than one of the three categories of waste (solid waste/recyclables, hazardous waste, infectious waste), you may need a separate license for each category. Application forms are available below.
If you have questions or need assistance with an application, contact the DNR environmental program associate for the area of the state where your operation is located. For out-of-state transport services, make your selection based on where most of your business will be conducted.
Most of the forms on this page are fillable PDFs. If you have trouble opening them, try this:
- Right-click the link and select “save link as” or “save target as” and save in a file location you can find again (such as on your desktop).
- Open Adobe Acrobat/Adobe Reader software.
- In Adobe Acrobat or Reader, go to “File” then “Open,” and find the file you saved.
Find more information on the DNR PDF Help page.
Solid waste/recyclables
The annual license fee is based on the number of licensed vehicles. The first licensed vehicle is $110, and each additional licensed vehicle is an additional $33. For example, a business that has two vehicles used to haul solid waste owes $143 annually; three vehicles owes $176; four vehicles owes $209 and so on. This license applies to the engine of the vehicle, not the cargo.
To apply for a solid waste/recyclables transporter license:
- Complete the Solid Waste and/or Recyclables Transportation License Application (Form 4400-179). You can email or mail it to the environmental program associate in the region of the state in which you do most of your business.
- Licensed haulers of used oil must have an EPA ID number. To obtain a federal EPA ID number, refer to Instructions and Form to Obtain an EPA Identification Number (EPA Form 8700-12/Site Identification Form). This form can be included with your Solid Waste and/or Recyclables Transportation License Application.
- Refer to the payment section below for payment options.
- Review S. NR 502.06, solid waste collection and transportation services [exit DNR].
Hazardous waste and/or PCB waste
The annual fee is $400 and covers the entire fleet located at a single location, also called a transportation service. Each location at which vehicles are based is considered a separate transportation service and must have its own license.
You are responsible for operating under ch. NR 663, Wis. Adm. Code, and U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. For more information, visit the U.S. DOT Hazardous Material Information Center or call 1-800-467-4922.
To apply for a hazardous waste/PCB waste transporter license:
- Complete the Hazardous Waste and/or PCB Waste Transportation License Application (Form 4400-086). You can email or mail it to the environmental program associate in the region of the state in which you do most of your business.
- Complete Social Security Number/FEIN Collection Request (Form 9400-568). The DNR is required by state statute to obtain each applicant’s social security number, or, if the applicant is not an individual, the applicant’s federal employer identification number (FEIN), before issuing or renewing a license.
- Licensed haulers of hazardous waste/PCB waste must have an EPA ID number. To obtain a federal EPA ID number, refer to Instructions and Form to Obtain an EPA Identification Number (EPA Form 8700-12/Site Identification Form). This form can be included with your Solid Waste and/or Recyclables Transportation License Application.
- If you also intend to be licensed as a “Full Service Contractor” of PCBs, you must have a minimum of $300,000 in liability insurance. Proof of liability insurance must be included with your license application. Refer to Ch. NR 157, management of PCBs and products containing PCBs [exit DNR].
- Refer to the payment section below for payment options.
- Review Ch. NR 663, hazardous waste transporter standards [exit DNR].
Infectious waste
The annual fee is based on the number of licensed vehicles. The first licensed vehicle is $275, and each additional licensed vehicle is an additional $22. For example, a business that has two vehicles used to haul infectious waste owes $297 annually; three vehicles owes $319 and so on.
You are responsible for operating under ch. NR 526, Wis. Adm. Code, and U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. For more information, visit the U.S. DOT Hazardous Materials Information Center or call 1-800-467-4922.
To apply for an infectious waste transporter license:
- Complete the Infectious Waste Transportation License Application (Form 4400-205) [PDF]. You can email or mail it to the environmental program associate in the region of the state in which you do most of your business.
- Complete the Social Security Number/FEIN Collection Request (Form 9400-568). The DNR is required by state statute to obtain each applicant’s social security number, or, if the applicant is not an individual, the applicant’s federal employer identification number (FEIN), before issuing or renewing a license.
- Refer to the payment section below for payment options.
- Review S. NR 526.10, infectious waste transportation and shipping [exit DNR].
Annual transporter license renewal
For all waste types, to renew this license annually:
- You will be emailed a unique link to renew your license in August or September before your license expires. It is important to keep your contact information current to receive your renewal form before your license expires. Contact your DNR environmental program associate to keep your information current.
- Payment is due when you submit your license renewal. You can pay directly online or print your renewal form and mail it with a check to your regional environmental program associate. Follow the instructions on your renewal form.
Payment options
Payments for new licenses may be made electronically through the DNR's E-Pay system. Contact the DNR environmental program associate to request an invoice that can be paid online.
Or you may pay with a check or money order through mail or by scheduling an in-person appointment. Checks are made payable to Department of Natural Resources.
Facility licenses
Solid and hazardous waste facility licenses
A DNR license is required for a solid waste landfill. For more information on siting and licensing a landfill, visit the landfill siting process.
In most cases, a DNR license is required for a compost facility, processing facility, storage facility, woodburning facility, incinerator or transfer station. Refer to the following links for more details.
- Compost facility license information
- Information for waste tire transfer, storage or processing facilities
- Other non-landfill solid waste facilities
- Information for used oil transporters/handlers [PDF]
Facilities that treat, store or dispose of hazardous waste must be licensed by the DNR, unless the activity is specifically exempt from the licensing requirement. For more information, see the hazardous waste overview. For information on hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facility licensing, contact your regional hazardous waste management specialist.
Lists of licensed transporters and facilities
Lists of currently licensed waste transporters and facilities
The following links take you to interactive lists of license holders you can sort and search based on your needs. You can also download spreadsheets of the lists.
Please note: "County" refers to the location of the licensed or registered operation, not its service area. A licensed or registered operation may service an area covering multiple counties or operate statewide. Contact the licensee directly to see if it operates in your area. Licensed operations based outside Wisconsin are at the end of the list.
Solid and hazardous waste facilities and transporters licensed in Wisconsin
Lists of licensed landfills
- Solid waste landfills licensed in Wisconsin
- Solid waste landfills licensed in Wisconsin, by county and waste type
- Construction and demolition landfills in Wisconsin