In Dane County, we’re rethinking waste and building a more sustainable future.
Dane County is rethinking what waste management can look like in the 21st century. For decades, Dane County has responsibly managed its landfill while capturing methane and converting it into renewable energy. But today, our focus is increasingly shifting upstream. The best waste is the waste we never send to the landfill in the first place.
That approach is already producing real results. In 2025, Dane County expanded efforts around food waste composting, asphalt shingle recycling, and electronics recovery, earning a Recycling Excellence Award from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Food waste remains one of our biggest opportunities. More than 20% of what enters our landfill is food. To address that challenge, Dane County launched a countywide composting partnership with Purple Cow Organics. Residents can now use free “Scrap Stop” drop-off sites, while businesses have access to commercial composting services. Since launching in 2025, more than 2,600 households have diverted over 500,000 pounds of food waste from the landfill.
We are also finding innovative ways to turn challenges into opportunities. After severe hailstorms created a surge of roofing debris, Dane County partnered with contractors and a Wisconsin-based processor to recycle more than 34,000 tons of asphalt shingles in 2025 alone. Those materials are now being reused in road construction across the state.
Looking ahead, Dane County is preparing to launch its Sustainability Campus, a future hub for innovation, education, and waste diversion.
This work reflects the Dane County Way: practical solutions that protect our environment, strengthen our economy, and bring people together around shared goals. Waste is no longer just something we throw away. It is an opportunity to build a more sustainable future.
