DATCP: Spring is Time for a ‘Clean Sweep’ of Unwanted Chemicals

Release: 05/05/06 Contact: Jane Larson (608)224-5005

MADISON-If the spring weather gives you the urge to clean out the garage, basement, shed, or barn, a local Clean Sweep event is the perfect place to take unwanted pesticides, chemicals or other hazardous wastes that you may find.

Many counties, cities, towns, regional planning commissions and other local governments have received grants from the Wisconsin Clean Sweep Program to provide a no- or low cost disposal option. The clean sweep program is sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

“The 2006 collection season has just gotten underway so there are many local collection sites willing to accept oil-based paints, pesticides, solvents, acids, mercury devices, lead paint, and other chemicals,” said Roger Springman, Wisconsin Clean Sweep program manager.

Homeowners, farmers, and businesses in the counties of Brown, Calumet, Clark, Dane, Dodge, Door, Forest, Jefferson, Marathon, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Richland, Rock, St. Croix, Vilas, Walworth, and Wood all have access to local collection sites this spring, summer and fall.

The Northwest Clean Sweep counties of Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Iron, Douglas, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor and Washburn, and the Red Cliff, Lac du Flambeau, St. Croix, Bad River and Lac Courte Oreilles tribal areas have permanent collection sites open year round with regional events running May through September.

Forest, Oneida and Vilas counties along with the Potawatomi tribal area have events scheduled in June, July, August and September.

The town of Caledonia and villages of Mt. Pleasant and North Bay in Racine County will have a Clean Sweep collection on June 17. The city of Milwaukee will host events during August and the city of Racine has three collection dates set in August, September and October.

“If you have hazardous wastes and other chemicals that you no longer want or need, we strongly encourage you to contact your local solid waste or county extension office to see what opportunities are available to you. Some sites only operate for one day or a weekend while other sites continue all season,” Springman said. “Clean Sweep allows homeowners, farmers, and businesses to get rid of unwanted chemicals before they cause environmental or safety problems.”

In 2005, the revamped Clean Sweep Program allows household hazardous waste to be collected side-by-side with agricultural and business waste, making for greater convenience and service. The change came about from state budget actions that transferred the Department of Natural Resources’ Household Hazardous Waste Grant Program to DATCP and the household program was then merged with DATCP’s very successful Agricultural Clean Sweep Program. Funds for local grants are paid for through the Recycling Fund.

For information on the 2006 Clean Sweep Program and waste collection services, check the DATCP Web site at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us and search on ‘Clean Sweep’ or click on the Environmental Protection button, then select ‘Clean Sweep general information.’