Disposal Guide

Only those household fertilizers that contain pesticides are hazardous – read the label. Those known as “Weed and Feed fertilizers” contain pesticides.

Proper Disposal
•   If the fertilizer contains a pesticide, see Pesticides for disposal tips.
•   If the fertilizer is solid and does not contain pesticides or 25% Nitrogen, dispose of it in the trash.  
•   Phosphorus containing fertlizers can also go in the trash.
•   If the fertilizer is liquid and does not contain pesticides or more than 25% Nitrogen, it may be poured down the drain (only if you are connected to a waste water line).
•   If 25% Nitrogen or more, bring to the WLSSD Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Proper Disposal
•   Bring to the WLSSD Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
•   Bring to Northland Fire & Safety Inc. – 722-8812.
•   Businesses must contact the Clean Shop for disposal @ 726-1602
•   Old Carbon-Tet (usually glass balls with carbon-tet inside) should be treated as a hazardous waste.  Bring to HHW facility.

Fire wood is accepted for disposal at the Yard Waste Compost Site for $10/cu yard.

Fire wood or any other materials may not be removed from the site.

Contact a local Federal Firearms Licensed (FFL) dealer to discuss disposal options.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms maintains a complete list of FFL Licenses by state.

Proper Disposal
·  Bring to the WLSSD Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Professional display fireworks are not accepted.

CAUTION 
Transport these flammable items in a separate box away from open flames, sparks, and other flammables.

Proper Disposal
·  Bring to the WLSSD Household Hazardous Waste Facility

CAUTION 
Transport these flammable items in a separate box away from open flames, sparks, and other flammables.

Proper Disposal
•   Small amounts from households can be thrown in the trash.
•   Businesses with floor dry or other absorbents used for spill clean ups should call The Clean Shop at 726-1602 or a private vendor such as Como Lube or Safety Kleen.

Fluorescent bulbs (including HID) are banned from solid waste disposal in Minnesota because they have small amounts of mercury inside and must be recycled.

Separate bulbs and ballasts from fixtures; metal fixtures may be recycled at scrap metal recyclers; plastic and other fixture materials may be disposed of in the trash.

Proper Bulb Disposal 

•   Households – bring fluorescent tubes, bulbs and ballasts to the WLSSD Household Hazardous Waste Facility or the WLSSD Materials Recovery Center. You may also bring compact fluorescent bulbs to one of the retailers accepting compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) from residents (see list below), or check with your county’s Solid Waste Officer for information on local collection.
•   Tubes/bulbs should be packaged in a box with the quantity labeled on the outside, or bundled together with plastic cling wrap. DO NOT USE DUCT TAPE.   Loose tubes and bulbs in the back of a truck or trunk run a high risk of breakage. Breakage increases your exposure to mercury & the cost of recycling.

The following information is provided as a service by WLSSD, please confirm program details with individual sites.

CFL recycling is available at these locations, fees may apply:

Batteries Plus
Como Lube & Supplies
Denny’s Ace Hardware
Home Depot
Marshall Hardware
Proctor Builders Supply

Carlton County:
Carlton County HHW
Cloquet Home Center
Erickson’s Trustworthy

Superior, Wisconsin:
Campbell Lumber and Supply
Superior Wastewater Treatment Plant

Incandescent, halogen, and LED bulbs may be safely disposed of in household garbage.

Ski wax is used on the bottoms of skis. There is glide wax that helps reduce the friction between the ski and the snow to make the skis faster. There is also grip wax that allows the classic skis to grip the snow to move forward. Both types of wax can contain fluorinated compounds including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which can have environmental and human health impacts.

Fluorinated compounds were used in making high-performance ski waxes, however bans on the use of PFAS in waxes occurred in the early 2020s. Waxes marked with “fluoro” contain PFAS and should be disposed of through the Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Ski waxes that don’t contain fluorinated compounds can be disposed of in household trash.

Proper Disposal
•  Food waste can be brought to a community food scrap drop site to be made into compost: food scrap drop sites.
•  Food waste must be free of packaging and contained in biodegradable bags only.  No plastic products, pet waste, kitty litter, diapers, stones, rocks, or liquids will be accepted. Check the full list of instructions.
•  As of 2007, certain commercial organizations are required to separate food residuals and organic waste from their regular garbage.  For more information on this ordinance, call 218-722-3336.
•  Businesses with large amounts of food waste (>20 lbs/day) should contact Resource Renew at 218-722-3336 for assistance in establishing a food waste recycling program.

Chloro-fluoro-carbons, halons, and freon tanks come from appliances and automotive air conditioning units.

Proper Disposal
•    Empty freon tanks can be recycled as scrap.
•    For licensing information for the removal of chloro-fluor-carbons, halons, and freon, call the MPCA – 1-800-657-3843.
•   Households may bring tanks with freon in them to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Proper Disposal
•  Bring to the WLSSD Household Hazardous Waste Facility

Fuel and fuel oils are flammable and toxic, containing benzene and other ingredients. Improper storage can lead to serious ground water and surface water pollution. Burning diesel fuel improperly can cause serious air pollution.

Proper Disposal
•   Donate clean, usable furniture to charities. Call for pick-up service: Goodwill (218-722-6351), Salvation Army (218-722-7723)
(NO broken items, mattresses, box springs, appliances, or electronics)

•   Bring to the Resource Renew Materials Recovery Center: mixed waste $24/cu yd plus tax (2023);
DO accept broken furniture, mattresses, box springs and electronics (price per item fees apply for mattresses, box springs and electronics).