MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - It’s now against the law to throw oil filters in the garbage in Wisconsin – along with rags and absorbents that have oil on them.

The DNR is reminding folks of the new law which took effect on January 1st. It’s supposed to help protect groundwater – and violators can be fined up to $2,000.

The DNR said Wisconsinites have been placing 1.6 million gallons of oil from absorbents into landfills each year – along with 187,000 gallons of oil from used filters.

The UW Extension Service has a list of recycling options on its Web site.