Contact: Jane H. Larson (608) 224-5005
MADISON—Homeowners, farmers, rural property owners, and businesses in 43 counties, two cities and five tribal nations will have access to disposal services for hundreds of chemicals this fall. Unwanted and hazardous chemicals and pesticides like chlordane, rootworm insecticides, DDT, acids, lead paint, mercury, and solvents now can all be taken to Wisconsin Clean Sweep locations.
From now through December, collections will take place in the following counties: Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Brown, Buffalo, Chippewa, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Fond du Lac, Iron, Jefferson, Kewaunee, Lacrosse, Manitowoc, Marathon, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oneida, Outagamie, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Richland, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago and Wood.
The two cities hosting collection events are Prairie du Chien and the city of Racine. The five tribal nations of Bad River, Red Cliff, Lac du Flambeau, Lac Courte Oreilles and St. Croix can participate in collection sponsored through the Northwest Regional Planning Commission.
“Some events are just one or two days while others have collection sites open for a month or longer. Please check with your local contact for details,” explained Roger Springman, Wisconsin Clean Sweep program manager with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
If you are interested in disposing of chemical hazardous wastes, contact your local coordinator to confirm collection dates and review available services. The attached table contains a listing of collection options through December 2009 and a more detailed listing is available on the department’s website at http://datcp.state.wi.us then search on ‘clean sweep.’
Wisconsin Clean Sweep is open to urban homeowners and renters, farmers and rural residents as a way to dispose of unwanted chemicals, pesticides or hazardous waste. “Collection participants bring lead paint, solvents, pipeline cleaners from dairy farms, old pesticides that are no longer on the market like DDT and newer products like Round-up,” Springman said.
Businesses will also find better access to lower cost disposal services through Wisconsin Clean Sweep. Businesses must, however, contact the local collection coordinator who will then put them in contact with the hazardous waste hauler for an estimate of disposal costs.
Since the Clean Sweep program began in 1990 with the focus on collecting agricultural chemicals, the program has expanded to include household hazardous waste as well. The program has collected more than five million pounds of unwanted chemicals, pesticides and hazardous waste.
For information on Wisconsin Clean Sweep, contact Roger Springman, 608-224-4545 or e-mail roger.springman@datcp.state.wi.us.
Wisconsin Clean Sweep Schedule – Fall 2009 Household and Agricultural Collection Schedule
