For Release: Thursday, April 21, 2005
DEC Continues Cleansweep Program with Spring Pesticide Cleanup in Central New York
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced that DEC will be holding its spring CleanSweep program in four central New York counties throughout the week of April 25, 2005. The event will allow agricultural and non-agricultural facilities in Cortland, Oswego, Onondaga, and Cayuga counties to drop off unwanted pesticides for proper disposal.
"This will be our sixth CleanSweep event," Commissioner Sheehan said. "This unique program allows responsible farmers and businesses to drop off unwanted pesticides that are then removed and properly disposed of at no cost to farmers and commercial pesticide applicators. The CleanSweep program ensures that pesticides, which can be hazardous to nearby natural resources if incorrectly stored or disposed of, are correctly handled. To date, the program has resulted in the disposal of more than 365,300 pounds of excess or unwanted pesticides. This spring's event is sure to raise that number by thousands of pounds."
Collection events have been scheduled throughout the week of April 25, 2005, at four locations. In advance of next week's CleanSweep, DEC had reached out to possible participants to invite them to participate in this spring's program. Participants in the program were asked to submit inventory forms by April 15, 2005, listing all pesticides to be turned in. This will facilitate effective, efficient collections each day. Events are scheduled at the following dates and locations:
Monday, April 25
Cortland County
NYSDOT, 3668 Route 281, Cortland
Tuesday, April 26
Oswego County
Oswego Dept. of Public Works, Division of Solid Waste, 3105 State Route 3, Fulton
Wednesday, April 27
Onondaga County
NYSDOT, 5430 South Bay Rd., North Syracuse
Thursday, April 28
Cayuga County
Carolina Eastern-Vail Inc., 53 Columbus St, Auburn
Friday, April 29
Cayuga County
Same as above. Date only to be used in the event of excess pesticide registrations.
The CleanSweep program is managed by DEC. DEC is assisted by the State Department of Agricultural and Markets, the Soil and Water Conservation District, and Cornell Cooperative Extension for each event.
State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers said, "By arranging for the collection and proper disposal of unwanted crop protectants and their containers, DEC is providing a tremendous service to farmers and citizens and helping to better protect the irreplaceable natural resources found there. I am pleased that DEC has organized this important event once again."
DEC developed the CleanSweep program as an Environmental Benefit Project by utilizing several Consent Orders settled in the State's pesticide program, totaling approximately $1 million. As part of these Orders, several pesticide collection and disposal events will be offered over the next few years.
In addition to collecting pesticides, the CleanSweep program also accepts triple-rinsed metal drums and plastic pesticide containers for recycling and elemental mercury, particularly from dairy mamometers, for proper disposal. All services are free of charge to all farmers and commercial pesticide applicators, for which the program was specifically designed. Pesticides and containers from other applicators, local municipalities, and retail participants will also be accepted at no charge for the first 100 pounds and a small per pound fee for anything above that. All pesticides, pesticide containers, and mercury collected during CleanSweep events will be disposed of in accordance with State and federal environmental regulations.
This is the fourth year of the CleanSweep program. In 2002, the CleanSweep program collected approximately 120,000 pounds of unwanted pesticides from the Long Island area; In spring 2003, the program collected 41,132 pounds of pesticides from the New York City metro area; In fall 2003, the program collected 110,559 pounds of pesticides from the Hudson Valley area; In spring 2004, the program collected 41,830 pounds of pesticides from the northeastern portion of the State; and in fall 2004, the program collected 51,859 pounds from eight central and northwestern counties.
A fall 2005 CleanSweep is planned for Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates counties in November.
Additional information about the program is available by contacting the CleanSweep toll-free number at 1-877-SWEEPNY.
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