It’s your chance to dispose of hazardous waste, help local charities
By Ed Nadolski
Editor in chief
After several years of planning, six area communities are joining forces to host a Clean Sweep event Saturday, April 28, to collect household hazardous waste.
The program, slated for 8 a.m. to noon at the City of Burlington Public Works Facility, 2200 S. Pine Street, allows residents of the six communities to dispose of household chemicals, electronics and prescription medicine – items that cannot be put out with regular trash.
With the help of a Wisconsin Clean Sweep grant, the City of Burlington, Town of Burlington, Town of Dover, Village of Rochester, Village of Union Grove and Village of Waterford have collaborated to host this event. To participate, people must be residents of one of these communities and show current identification.
Cooperation triumphs
For Waterford Village Administrator Rebecca Ewald, who spearheaded coordination of the event, it is a triumph of community cooperation and municipal service.
“It seems that with every turn we take our partnership grows,” she said.
The village hosted a similar program along with the Village of Rochester and the Town of Burlington two years ago and received a robust response from residents.
“The first one we had was very successful,” Ewald added. “This year we wanted to take the event to the next level.”
She explained that in order to receive a grant from the state’s Clean Sweep program, a consortium of municipalities must apply for funding.
“In most instances a county will host a Clean Sweep, so we’re a little bit unique,” she said.
For City of Burlington Administrator Kevin Lahner, the partnership gives the city a chance to improve on what he considers a disappointing city-only disposal event in 2008.
“We know there is a large need for it,” he said.
The city’s new Department of Public Works facility was chosen to host the event because of its easily accessible location on Pine Street just off the Highway 36/83 bypass. It also has the proper logistics to handle a strong turnout, Lahner said.
Charities to benefit
The program is free to residents, but participants are encouraged to bring non-perishable food, clothing or household items to donate to local charities Love Inc. and St. Vincent DePaul.
Ewald said that component of the event was added as a way for residents to “help out the non-profits in the area.”
“Whether you’re cleaning out your house of hazardous chemicals or just getting rid of good household items, it’s a one-stop shop,” she added.
The items that will be accepted are listed in a graphic accompanying this story.
Participants are asked to separate chemicals, prescriptions and electronics. Containers for items such as gasoline, antifreeze and oils cannot be returned.
Ewald said the consortium received an $8,820 grant from the state for the program and is committed to spend $2,940 in-kind to staff and advertise the event. Costs to dispose of the waste beyond the grant amount will be billed to the respective communities based on the number of their residents using the program.
Clean communities
According to the state Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection – which oversees the Clean Sweep program – the goal is to assist communities in improving and sustaining public health, environmental and animal safety by reducing risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals, pesticides, and unwanted prescription drugs around Wisconsin residences, farms and businesses.
Wisconsin Clean Sweep was established in 1990 to provide financial assistance to Wisconsin counties, regional planning commissions, cities, villages, and other municipalities to collect unwanted pesticides.
According to information supplied by Clean Sweep, when disposed of improperly, household hazardous wastes can threaten the quality of drinking water, increase the threat of algae bloom and threaten the safety of sanitation workers. Hazardous wastes left around the house and garage also pose an accidental poison risk to children and pets.
For additional information on the local Clean Sweep, call (262) 539-3770 or visit www.burlington-wi.gov for full program details.
Click on the following link to download a Clean Sweep Brochure, including a list of accepted items:
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