Clean Sweep

Hazardous Waste Collection & Disposal for Farmers: Eligible Chemicals

Wisconsin Clean Sweep accepts a wide variety of farm chemicals for disposal. Commonly seen and accepted items include all types of pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides); veterinary supplies; mercury and mercury-containing devices; dairy acids; wood treatments such as cresote, arsenic, and pentachlorphenol; lead and metal-based paints; solvents, and hydraulic fluids, and generally farm chemicals. Clean Sweep is particularly interested in collecting all older pesticides known to be more toxic such as DDT; silvex; heptachlor; dieldrin; lindane; toxaphene; and 2,4,5-T.

Clean Sweep accepts farm chemicals in nearly all forms and sizes of containers, (e.g. drums, wooden casks, bottles, old metal "fives", plastic containers). Certain kinds of pressurized cylinders and canisters can be accepted too.

Farmers and current owners of farm chemicals wishing to use collection services must pre-register with the county coordinator before going to collections. Some chemicals may require special handling and large loads may need to scheduled for certain times.

Unacceptable Chemicals:

A number of chemicals sometimes seen in rural and farm settings cannot be accepted at clean sweep collections. These chemicals include:

• High pressure cylinders
• Freon gases
• Infectious and biological wastes
• Explosives, including detonators and blasting caps
• Radioactive chemicals and devices
• Ammunition

NOTE: Some low-level radioactive chemicals can be disposed through the Department of Health and Family Services.

Unknown Chemicals

Wisconsin Clean Sweep will accept unknown chemicals from farmers and former farm sites in quantities less than 50 pounds or 5 gallons. For larger amounts of unknown chemicals, you must contact your county or regional coordinator 10 days or more prior to collection.

Drums

Wisconsin Clean Sweep accepts 30 and 55-gallon metal drums that have contained agricultural chemicals or still have product in them. Other drums may be accepted if they contain significant residues or contain chemicals considered hazardous. Drums, like chemicals, must be pre-registered with your county or regional coordinator 10 or more days prior to collection.

For more information on Wisconsin Clean Sweep, contact 608-224-4545 or send an email.