Compost
MRD Compost Facility
Metropolitan Refuse District (MRD)
5211 Highway Q
Waunakee, WI 53597
The MRD compost facility is operated by Purple Cow Organics. Residents of the City of Middleton and the Villages of Waunakee and Shorewood Hills may bring the following items to the site at no charge: brush, branches, (up to 6” in diameter), wood chips, sawdust, grass clippings, leaves, plants, and Christmas trees. The MRD does not accept painted or treated wood products, stumps, logs, sod, plastics, trash, asphalt, concrete or other hazardous waste at the site.
THE COMPOST FACILITY IS OPEN SEASONALLY FROM APRIL THROUGH NOVEMBER, with the following hours of operation:
Day of the Week |
Hours of Operation |
---|---|
Monday |
7:00 am – 5:30 pm |
Tuesday |
7:00 am – 7:00 pm |
Wednesday |
7:00 am – 5:30 pm |
Thursday |
7:00 am – 7:00 pm |
Friday |
7:00 am – 5:30 pm |
Saturday |
7:00 am – 7:00 pm |
Sunday |
7:00 am – 7:00 pm |
Note: Weekend hours are only available to residents of Middleton, Waunakee, & Shorewood Hills. Please plan your yard projects accordingly. After-hours drop off is prohibited and is subject to fine.
Due to the rising costs of dealing with unauthorized dumping of non-compostable materials, the site is no longer intended for use by commercial contractors. If you witness a commercial contractor depositing materials at the compost site, please make a note of the name of contractor (if identified on a truck) or license plate number of the vehicle, and notify Purple Cow Organics at 831-0349.
Purple Cow Organics compost is not available for purchase at the MRD compost facility, but can be purchased at most area garden centers, as well as many Ace Hardware and True Value stores in retail bags. Bulk materials are also available from some retailers. You may visit the Purple Cow Organics website for more information.
We, along with our neighboring communities, are fortunate to have the MRD facility to compost our brush and yard waste. Diverting this material from the landfill is something our communities can be proud of. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have questions you may call the MRD compost facility at 831-0349.
Please note:
INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES - while still considered yard waste, including most weeds, cannot by law be placed in your refuse (brown) cart, the seeds of some invasive species could survive the composting process and should be disposed of in the landfill. A full listing of prohibited and restricted invasive species is available on the DNR web site, and includes Garlic mustard, Dame’s rocket, Leafy spurge, Purple loosestrife, Canada thistle, and Crown vetch. The list doesn’t include dandelions, creeping charlie, or common thistles.
Restricted and prohibited invasive species plants should be placed in a plastic bag, labeled “invasive species”, and placed in your refuse (brown) cart. The reason for labeling the bag is just in case it would break open, so that the driver knows to collect the material, and not reject it.