Door County has shipped garbage elsewhere since closing its landfill over a decade ago. The county could, however, indirectly benefit from the Department of Natural Resources studies of the types of garbage being brought into 12 state landfills. County Administrator Ken Pabich says the studies' data can help the county better formulate solid waste disposal and recycling policies.

DNR Solid Waste Coordinator Casey Lemensky says the waste characterization studies can also help communities divert items that can be easily reused or that pose a danger out of engineered landfills.

Among those landfills selected for study is one located in Manitowoc County.