Event is open to residents in seven area communities
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Residents of seven area communities can dispose of hazardous household waste as well as unwanted appliances and electronics in Saturday’s annual Clean Sweep in Burlington.
The event runs from 8 a.m. until noon and is open to residents in the city and town of Burlington, village and town of Waterford, Town of Dover along with the villages of Rochester and Union Grove.
Participants should enter at the Burlington Wastewater Treatment facility, 2100 S. Pine St. (Highway 83), where they will verify residency.
According to an official with the City of Burlington, which is hosting the event, the Town of Waterford is a new addition to the annual event.
“The Town of Waterford has joined us for the 2021 event,” said Peter Riggs, director of public works. “We are glad to be able to partner with the Town of Waterford and offer this service to their residents.”
Riggs offered residents several recommendations to keep the drive-thru drop off event running smoothly.
The first, he said, consists of participants having their driver’s license or other proof of residency ready to show officials as they drive into the facility.
“Folks without proof of residency, or those that are not a resident of a participating municipality will unfortunately be turned away,” he said.
Other tips include loading materials in the vehicle trunk, or trunk bed, and not in the back seat because collection staff cannot enter vehicles to retrieve items.
“If you have both electronics and household hazardous waste, make sure the electronics are on the bottom,” Riggs said. “Household hazardous items will be removed first and electronics second. It helps keep the line moving if we don’t have to shuffle the material around.”
The clean sweep event will not accept ammunition, explosives, medical waste, sharps, propane, latex paint, radioactive materials, alkaline batteries, commercial/business waste, food/clothing/household items, or containers of liquid larger than five gallons.
Riggs said residents can dispose or latex paint in their regular trash.
“In particular, we do not accept latex paint. If you have latex paint, you should dry it out and put it in with your regular trash,” Riggs said. “Kitty litter and saw dust can help dry out latex paint for regular curbside collection.”
Additionally, medications such as prescription drugs will not be accepted and officials encourage residents to use disposal boxes placed in designated areas throughout Racine County, like the front entrance of the Burlington Police Department.
Televisions and computer monitors will be accepted at fee of $35 per television/monitor and residents must pay using cash or check.
Checks must be written out to ASDA Enterprises to cover recycling costs.
Riggs encouraged patience while volunteers and officials collect items.
“There will be lots of staff and volunteers walking through the site to perform the collection,” he said. “Drive slowly and stay alert to help keep everyone safe.”
In 2020, Riggs said officials collected 13,436 pounds of household hazardous waste, 9,020 pounds of miscellaneous electronic waste and 148 televisions and monitors.
Acceptable items
The following is a list of accepted items:
- Acetone; aerosol cans (full); antifreeze
- Batteries (non-alkaline); battery acid; brake fluid
- Car batteries; car wax (solvent based); contact cement
- Driveway sealer; dry cleaning solvent
- Fertilizer; fiberglass epoxy; floor care products; furniture polish
- Gasoline and other fuels; glue (solvent based);
- Hair remover; insect spray/killer
- Light ballasts; lighter fluid
- Metal polish; mothballs
- Nail polish remover
- Oil filters; oil-based paints; oils (auto and other); oven cleaner
- Paint thinner; paint stripper; pesticides; pool chemicals
- Rat poison; rechargeable batteries
- Shellac and stain; shoe polish; spot remover; solvent-based cleaners; stump remover
- Transmission fluid; varnish; weed killer; wood filler; wood preservative
Appliances
- Blenders
- Can openers; coffee makers
- Dishwashers; dryers
- Electronics
- Furnaces
- Microwaves; mixers
- Ovens
- Pizza ovens
- Refrigerators
- Toasters
- Washers
- Other appliances over 50 percent metal
Items not accepted
- Ammunition; alkaline batteries
- Explosives
- Medications or medical waste
- Propane
- Radioactive material
- Syringes
- Containers over five gallons
- Latex paint
Residents with questions about the program may call 262-342-1181.
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