CleanSweepNY Program Promotes Proper Disposal of Obsolete Pesticides and Other Chemicals

More than 1.6 million pounds of chemicals and 870 pounds of elemental mercury collected since 2002

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that DEC will hold its spring 2017 CleanSweepNY pesticide collection event during the week of May 8, 2017, and is targeting Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga, and Tompkins counties. Since CleanSweepNY's inception, more than 1.6 million pounds of chemicals and over 870 pounds of elemental mercury have been collected and safely disposed of. In addition, approximately 5,000 plastic pesticide containers have been collected for recycling, which may otherwise have been disposed of in landfills.

"CleanSweepNY complements the ongoing work of Governor Cuomo's Water Quality Rapid Response Team to protect New York's drinking water," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "The disposal of dangerous pesticides and chemicals can have serious consequences on our drinking water and the environment. CleanSweepNY helps remove these unwanted chemicals from our communities to ensure they don't pose a threat to public health or the environment. I encourage all eligible institutions to take advantage of this opportunity to help build a toxic-free future."

CleanSweepNY is a unique opportunity for agricultural and professional pesticide applicators, golf courses, cemeteries, marinas, and schools to dispose of unwanted and/or obsolete pesticides and chemicals, including elemental mercury, as part of a statewide effort to protect public health and the environment and promote a healthy and sustainable New York. Empty, triple-rinsed high-density polyethylene plastic (HDPE-2) pesticide containers will also be collected and recycled.

CleanSweepNY is an Environmental Benefit Project originally established by DEC in 2002 with approximately $2.2 million from several enforcement settlements through the agency's Pest Management program to promote proper disposal practices of these potentially harmful chemicals. The pesticide and chemical collection during the week of May 8 marks the 23rd CleanSweepNY event.

CleanSweepNY is administered by DEC's Bureau of Pest Management. The New York State Department of Transportation collaborates with DEC on CleanSweepNY by providing accessible sites for collection of the unwanted chemical wastes. The program is also supported by Cornell Cooperative Extension, the New York Farm Bureau, the Agricultural Container Recycling Council, and agribusiness and related associations. CleanSweepNY services are not available to homeowners.

The next CleanSweepNY event is anticipated to take place this fall in DEC's Region 8.

Preregistration is required to participate in the CleanSweepNY program. Completed registration forms are due by April 21, 2017.

Find out more about CleanSweepNY (link leaves DEC's website) by visiting their website, or toll free at 1-877-SWEEPNY (1-877-793-3769).