Transporting Solid Waste and Recyclables

Do I Need a License?

Do I need a Solid Waste/Recyclables Transportation License?

Haulers that pick up or drop off solid waste and/or recyclables in Wisconsin may need a transportation license from the DNR. For some situations or types of waste, you do not need a solid waste/recyclables transportation license (though other licenses or regulations may apply). 

You do not need a solid waste/recyclables transportation license if the waste you haul is exclusively one or more of the following:

• Less than 20 tons a year (unless the solid waste is used oil; refer to the Used Oil section below).
• Waste electronic devices and their components if destined for reuse or recycling.
• Gravel pit soils, quarry materials or earth materials.
• Scrap metal.
• The following recyclable materials if they are collected from only commercial, retail, industrial or governmental operations: aluminum, bi-metal or steel containers, corrugated cardboard, glass containers, magazines, newspapers, office paper or plastic containers.
• Sludge from a municipal wastewater or water supply treatment plant handled in accordance with ch. 283, Wis. Stats.
• Septage, municipal and industrial wastewaters and associated wastes that are transported per chs. 281 or 283, Wis. Stats. Visit Septage Business License Requirements for requirements for this kind of waste.
• Roadside litter collected by a government service.
• Dredge material regulated by permit or contract under s. 30.20, Wis. Stats. Visit Dredging and Grading Project Permitting for more information.
• Waste that is generated by a company and only hauled by company-owned vehicles on private roads.
• Whey.
• Waste from a fruit or vegetable processing operation.
• Contaminated soil transported in a vehicle owned by the generator of the waste.
• Industrial byproducts that are beneficially reused under ch. NR 538, Wis. Adm. Code.
• Solid waste that is an incidental portion of your business as the United States Postal Service or other parcel carrier service.
• Post-use plastics and nonrecycled feedstock that are going for processing or have been processed at a pyrolysis or gasification facility that is exempt from DNR solid waste processing requirements.

Hazardous waste, PCBs and infectious waste are solid wastes that require a specialized hauling license. Visit Transporting Hazardous and PCB Waste or Transporting Infectious Waste for more information.

HAULING USED OIL

Used oil is any oil that has been refined from crude oil, or any synthetic oil, that has been used and because of the use is contaminated by physical or chemical impurities. State and federal agencies recognize the value of used oil for uses such as producing fuels and lubricants and its potential threat to the environment if mismanaged. Wisconsin has banned used oil and oil filters from landfill disposal.

Haulers transporting used oil may need a DNR solid waste transportation license. The exemptions to solid waste licensing listed in s. NR 502.06(2), Wis. Adm. Code, including the exemption for transporters hauling less than 20 tons of solid waste per year, do not apply to haulers of used oil. Refer to ch. NR 679, Wis. Adm. Code, for more information.

You do not need a solid waste – used oil transportation license if you are doing one or more of the following:

• Transporting self-generated used oil on-site, such as between buildings, on the same property, owned and operated by the same company.
• Transporting 55 gallons or less of self-generated used oil per shipment, in a vehicle your company or employee owns, to a used oil collection center.
• Transporting 55 gallons or less of self-generated used oil per shipment, in a vehicle owned by your company or an employee of that company, to an aggregation point also owned by your company.
• Hauling only on-spec oil that will be burned for energy recovery. While you don’t need a license, you do need to document that a certified laboratory has tested a representative sample of the oil and meets the specifications under s. NR 679.11, Wis. Adm. Code. Documentation of these records must be kept for a minimum of three years.

A hauler that transports household do-it-yourselfer oil from a collection center, aggregation point or other facility where used oil is collected must be licensed unless they fall under one of the scenarios above.

Used Oil Management (WA-233) has more information on these requirements.

Applying for a License

Applying for a solid waste and/or recyclables transporter license

Once you have determined you need a solid waste/recyclables transportation license, you will need to fill out an application.

Each location where a business bases vehicles (i.e., stores or parks overnight most of the time) within Wisconsin must be licensed as a separate location. If you store or park vehicles at multiple locations or are based outside Wisconsin, contact your DNR regional licensing, reporting and compliance specialist to determine if you need more than one license.

Preparing to Apply

Before filling out a license application, have the following information ready:

• Name of transporter (usually the company or business name)
• Name of licensee (can be an individual at the company or the company itself)
• Name of owner
• Ownership type (private, state, county, local or federal)
• Contact information for primary contact
• Address where vehicles will be kept
• The materials that you expect to haul are categorized by waste codes. Refer to Waste Types for License Applications and Renewal Forms. On the application, list all waste codes you expect to haul regularly.
• Counties that you will be operating in.
• Facilities you will be hauling waste to.
• Information about the vehicles that will be hauling the waste, including license plate number, state, make, model and year.
• For used oil transporters: 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).

Having this information before attempting to fill out the application will save time and reduce confusion while filling out the application. Contact your regional DNR licensing, reporting compliance specialist if you have any questions about solid waste and recyclables transportation.

Licensing Fees

The fees for a solid waste/recyclables transportation license include a base fee of $77 and an additional $33 for each vehicle listed on the license. Refer to the table below for an outline of the fee structure. Make checks payable to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Submitting Your Application

To apply for a solid waste/recyclables transporter license, submit the following by email or mail to the DNR licensing, reporting and compliance specialist.

• Solid Waste and/or Recyclables Transportation License Application (Form 4400-179) [PDF]
• EPA Form 8700-12 (used oil transporters only)
• Payment

Operating Standards

Owners and operators must do all of the following:

• Not harm surface water, groundwater quality or wetlands. Review s. NR 502.04, Wis. Adm. Code, for more details.
• Properly dispose of all putrescible waste within five calendar days after ceasing to accept waste.
• Properly dispose of all non-putrescible waste within 60 calendar days after ceasing to accept waste.

VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS

• Each vehicle must have “WDNR” followed by the DNR license number displayed on the driver’s side door. The numbers may be painted or affixed decals and should be at least 2 inches high and easy to read.
• Vehicles and containers must be durable, easy to clean and kept in good repair. If the waste is wet or can get wet, the vehicles and containers must be leak-proof.
• Maintain cleanliness of the vehicles and containers to prevent nuisances and insect breeding.

OPERATING STANDARDS THAT APPLY TO ALL SOLID WASTE AND/OR RECYCLABLES TRANSPORTERS

• Load and move wastes in a way that does not cause falls, spills or leaks and use covers to prevent littering and spills. 
• Haul waste only to facilities that are licensed or approved by the DNR, or that are allowed to operate without a license. 
• If a spill happens, immediately pick up spilled materials and clean up the spill area. If the spill contained a hazardous substance, visit the DNR Spills page for more information and additional steps you may need to take. 
• Do not burn lead acid batteries, major appliances, electronics, aluminum, corrugated cardboard or other container board, magazines, newspapers, office paper, glass containers, #1 or #2 plastic containers, or steel and bi-metal containers. Yard materials and tires may only be burned for energy recovery by an approved facility. 
• The following materials may not be disposed of in a landfill: lead acid batteries, major appliances, electronics, aluminum, corrugated cardboard or other container board, magazines, newspapers, office paper, glass containers, #1 or #2 plastic containers, or steel and bi-metal containers. Oil filters or oil-absorbing materials may only be disposed of in a landfill if all free-flowing oil has been drained. For more information and a detailed list, refer to Materials Banned from Wisconsin Landfills and Incinerators (WA-1574).
• Provide written notice to the DNR if you are going to stop hauling waste. This can be done by completing a license renewal form and indicating you are no longer renewing this license. Refer to the “Renewing Your License” tab.

DO I HAVE TO NOTIFY CLIENTS OF RECYCLING REQUIREMENTS?

YES! All solid waste/recyclables haulers and their clients need to be aware that Wisconsin’s recycling laws apply to all residential and nonresidential facilities. Licensed haulers must annually notify clients of recycling requirements.

For residential customers (single-family and 2-4 units):

• Notify the client about recycling requirements when first arranging service or give written notification within 45 days. 
• Give written notification annually thereafter. 

For customers that are nonresidential or multi-family residential (5+ units): 

• Provide written notification of recycling requirements when first arranging service.
• Give written notification annually thereafter.

Notification can take various forms, provided the statement is clear. Here is an example: 

Remember that state and local laws require everyone in Wisconsin to recycle newspaper, office paper, magazines, corrugated cardboard, glass, #1 and #2 plastic containers, aluminum and steel containers, tires, yard waste, appliances, motor oil, and lead-acid batteries. Contact your local recycling program for more information or visit dnr.wi.gov and search for "What to recycle."

Examples of where to include the statement include:

• service agreements/contracts;
• a separate direct mailing to clients; or
• a monthly bill.

Document when and how you notify clients, whether spoken or written, and maintain current and previous calendar year records. Documentation must include: 

• a copy of the notification statement furnished to clients;
• a brief statement on how clients are notified upon start of service and annually thereafter; and
• a system to track when clients are notified. Adding a column to existing records to indicate the notification type and date(s) would be sufficient.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR HAULING RECYCLABLES

• Recyclables that have been separated for recycling must be kept separated and clean.
• Commingled residential recyclables must be processed at a self-certified materials recovery facility under s. NR 544.16, Wis. Adm. Code.
• Segregated recyclables can be taken directly to a scrap metal operation, paper mill or other appropriate market based on the material.
• If you contract with a recycling responsible unit and they send you a written request for the quantity of recyclables you recycled, you must provide it within four weeks of the request.
• Maintain your records for the past three years to document that recyclable materials have been delivered to brokers, processors or end users of the materials, and provide these records to the DNR upon request. 

WILL YOU HAUL WASTE TIRES?

Owners and operators of services that collect and transport 20 tons (approximately 1,600 automotive vehicle tires) or more of waste tires in a year must obtain a transportation license from the DNR. Services that collect and transport less than a combined 20 tons per year of solid waste, including waste tires, are exempt from licensing.

Haulers must deliver waste tires to an appropriate outlet. Waste tires must be hauled to a facility licensed or approved by the DNR, or to a facility that is allowed to operate without a license. Never dump, abandon or burn waste tires.

If you collect, accumulate and store waste tires (or other wastes) before delivering to a final outlet, you may be subject to solid waste storage requirements under s. NR 502.05, Wis. Adm. Code. Contact the DNR waste management specialist in your county to discuss your plans to store waste tires. 

WILL YOU HAUL ASBESTOS?

If hauling asbestos-containing materials, you must also comply with air management rules in chs. NR 400 to 499, Wis. Adm. Code. Visit Asbestos Removal and Notification for more information.

Renewing or Revising

RENEWING OR REVISING YOUR LICENSE

Solid waste/recyclables transportation licenses are annual licenses that must be renewed each year. The license period begins Oct. 1 and expires Sept. 30.

The DNR uses email to start the renewal process, so it is important to keep your contact information up to date to make sure you get the information you need. If at any point you need to change your contact information, reach out to your regional DNR licensing, reporting and compliance specialist.

License Renewal Process

Step 1: In the first week of September, you will receive an email from DNRWALicenseRenewals@wisconsin.gov with a unique link to renew your license electronically. The DNR recommends adding this address to your address book to ensure you receive the email.

Step 2: Follow the link in the email. Complete all sections, indicate if you will pay online or by mail, and submit the renewal form.

Step 3: Your total fee will be displayed at the bottom of your renewal form and is due at the time of renewal. If you choose to pay online, you will be directed to the DNR’s E-Pay system. If you choose to pay by mail, mail a check and a printed copy of your completed renewal form to your regional DNR licensing, reporting and compliance specialist. Mailing checks to the wrong address or without a copy of the renewal form may significantly delay the issuance of your license!

Step 4: You will receive a confirmation email, including a copy of your license, after the license renewal form and payment have been successfully received.

Revising Your License

You can report changes to information about your business or license using the online renewal form. Information you can change includes business or licensee name, contact changes, adding or removing vehicles, updating hauling destinations or waste types handled.

If you need to revise information outside of the open renewal period, contact your regional DNR licensing, reporting and compliance specialist.

Resources

The DNR offers additional publications and guidance to help inquiring and licensed transporters. Please do not hesitate to contact your regional DNR licensing, reporting and compliance specialist with further questions or concerns.

• Requirements for Haulers of Solid Waste or Recyclables (WA-1619)
• Used Oil Management (WA-233)
• Materials Banned from Wisconsin Landfills and Incinerators (WA-1574)
• Information for Waste Tire Haulers
• Section NR 502.06, Wis. Adm. Code, solid waste collection and transportation services