Oshkosh flood cleanup — how to sort debris before pickup

Separate yard waste, demolition debris, appliances, electronics and household items. Hazardous waste needs an appointment. Sandbags, stumps, large debris and boats aren’t accepted.

• Oshkosh officials are asking residents to sort flood debris by material type to speed up collection.
• Water levels remain a concern across Winnebago County, with Lake Winnebago expected to crest last.
• Residents should separate items into categories like yard waste, construction debris, appliances and electronics.
• Household hazardous waste requires an appointment and is only accepted during scheduled collection events.

OSHKOSH – As flood cleanup continues, Oshkosh officials are asking residents to sort debris by material type to speed collection and ensure items are recycled or disposed of properly, following guidance from the Winnebago County Solid Waste Department.

Keeping materials separated helps crews handle waste safely and route it to the appropriate disposal option, the city said.

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What to know

• Separate flood debris before drop-off or curbside set out to speed cleanup.
• Keep household hazardous waste separate. It is accepted only during scheduled collection events, and appointments are required.
• Plan ahead for items that require special handling, including sandbags, stumps and large demolition materials.

The county recommends sorting debris into categories before disposal.

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Winnebago County flooding update: Wolf River crests, Lake Winnebago expected to rise

Emergency management officials said Friday, April 24, that water levels remained a concern across the county, with municipalities continuing sandbagging efforts to reduce additional flood damage.

Officials reported the Wolf River and Lake Poygan had crested and were slowly declining.

As floodwater moves through the Winnebago System, levels are expected to rise on Lake Winneconne, the Fox River, Lake Butte des Morts, Little Lake Butte des Morts and Lake Winnebago.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Chicago District forecast that Lake Winnebago — typically the last to peak — will crest Monday, April 27, or Tuesday, April 28.

Residents are urged to continue or begin sandbagging if water comes within 1 foot of their homes. No evacuation order is in effect.

Two National Weather Service flood warnings remain active: one for the Wolf River and Lake Poygan, and another for the Fox River at Oshkosh and Lake Winnebago, both until further notice.

How to sort flood debris in Oshkosh

• Yard waste and small branches: Vegetation and branches up to 6 inches in diameter. Keep trunks, logs, stumps and root balls separate.
• Construction and demolition debris: Drywall, framing lumber, plywood, shingles, non-asbestos insulation, carpeting and floor coverings.
• Large appliances: Washers, dryers, HVAC units, microwaves, dishwashers, water heaters, refrigerators and freezers.
• Electronics: TVs, computers, printers, monitors and gaming devices. If possible, dry items and wipe off soil or debris before disposal.
• Scrap metal: Metal shelving, bed frames, mowers and snowblowers. Drain gasoline or oil into a lidded container and handle it as household hazardous waste.
• Household items: Couches, mattresses, dressers, tables, chairs, rugs, toys and clothing.
• Household hazardous waste: Paint, chemicals, fuel and similar materials. The county accepts these only during scheduled collection events, and appointments are required.

Items not accepted in standard flood debris drop-off

Winnebago County Solid Waste said these materials are not accepted through standard flood-debris disposal options:

• Tree trunks and branches more than 6 inches in diameter;
• Stumps and root balls;
• Asbestos-containing materials;
• Large wood beams and large demolition debris;
• Sand, mud, silt, gravel, rocks and boulders;
• Sandbags; and
• Boats and other water vessels.

Residents should use alternative disposal options for those materials.

Flood cleanup tips to speed collection and improve safety

• Separate debris by type before taking it to a disposal site or setting it out for collection.
• Keep household hazardous waste, electronics, appliances, yard waste and household trash separated.
• If possible, dry electronics and wipe mud or soil from devices and hazardous-waste containers.
• When possible, keep construction debris and flood-damaged household items separate from regular household garbage.

For more information, contact the Oshkosh Sanitation Division at 920-232-5383.

Contact Brandon Reid at breid@usatodayco.com.