For Release: Monday, November 8, 2004
Commissioner Crotty: Nearly 52,000 Pounds of Pesticides Removed from Eight Counties
CleanSweep Program Targeted Pesticides in Chenango, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Otsego, and St. Lawrence Counties
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty announced the conclusion of this year's fall CleanSweep program. The effort involved the collection of nearly 52,000 pounds of unwanted pesticides from agricultural and non-agricultural facilities in Chenango, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Otsego, and St. Lawrence counties.
"To date the CleanSweep program has resulted in the environmentally sound disposal of over 365,300 pounds of excess or unwanted pesticides across New York State," Commissioner Crotty said. "This fall's CleanSweep program was hugely successful and marks another important step toward the protection of our natural resources and public health."
Collection events were scheduled throughout the week of November 1, 2004, at five locations. Participants in the program were required to submit inventory forms listing all chemicals to be turned in and were assigned turn-in times to make for efficient collections. Approximately 51,859 pounds of unwanted pesticides and pesticide containers were collected from 98 participants.
This was the third year of the CleanSweep program. In 2002, the CleanSweep program collected approximately 120,000 pounds of unwanted and obsolete 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. This past spring, the program collected 41,830 pounds of pesticides from the Northeastern portion of the State.
Cornell Cooperative Extension, the State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts assisted DEC with the project.
State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers said, "Farmers are good stewards of the land and the State is helping to ensure our valuable resources are further protected from pollutants by offering this important service, which encourages people to dispose empty containers and unused pesticide products."
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 accepted triple-rinsed metal drums and plastic pesticide containers for recycling. All pesticides and pesticide containers collected during CleanSweep events are disposed of in accordance with State and federal environmental regulations.
Additional information about the program is available by contacting the CleanSweep toll-free number at 1-877-SWEEPNY.
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