For Release: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
DEC Schedules Pesticide/Chemical Collection Events In Central New York
"CleanSweepNY" Ensures Proper Disposal of Pesticides and Plastics
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today that DEC will hold its fall "CleanSweepNY" collection events in Central New York during the week of Nov. 2, 2009. CleanSweepNY provides businesses, farms and institutions with an opportunity to ensure proper disposal of unwanted and/or obsolete pesticides and other chemicals to help provide a healthy and sustainable New York.
"DEC's CleanSweepNY collection events have a proven track record of assisting those who may have old, unwanted or outdated pesticides and chemicals dispose these materials properly," Commissioner Grannis said. "In working with our many partners, DEC is able to help keep these chemicals and plastics out of conventional waste streams and municipal landfills and reduce environmental risks in our communities."
CleanSweepNY is administered by DEC in collaboration with the New York State Department of Transportation, which provides sites for the collection of these unwanted chemical materials. The program is supported by Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Agricultural Container Recycling Council, NYS Green Industry, Soil and Water Conservation districts, the New York Farm Bureau, and related grower associations. To date, CleanSweepNY has collected and disposed of over 850,000 pounds of hazardous chemicals and more than 500 pounds of elemental mercury. The program has also collected over 3,000 plastic pesticide containers for recycling that would have otherwise ended up in landfills.
New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee said: "The Department of Transportation is proud to partner with DEC in helping to properly dispose of thousands of pounds of unwanted chemicals and pesticides across New York State. This effort furthers Governor David Paterson's goal of improving our environment and removing harmful chemicals from communities."
November's CleanSweepNY effort is focused on Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga and Tompkins counties. It is directed at agricultural and non-agricultural professional pesticide applicators, schools, business users such as golf courses, cemeteries, marinas, and others. Additionally, elemental mercury and empty, triple-rinsed HDPE-2 plastic pesticide containers and nursery pots will be collected.
Drop-off locations are planned at North Syracuse, Cortland, and Castle Creek DOT facilities. To date, 44 participants are registered to turn in an estimated 30,220 pounds of pesticides and other hazardous chemicals for proper disposal at these locations.
Pre-registration is required for CleanSweepNY drop-offs. Registration packets will be mailed to potential participants upon request. To request a packet or to get more information, visit http://www.cleansweepny.org or call toll free: 1-877-SWEEPNY.
CleanSweepNY is an Environmental Benefit Project initially established with $2.2 million from several enforcement settlements in DEC's Pesticides Management program. This fall's CleanSweepNY collection event is the thirteenth since the program's inception in 2002.
