Overview
Clean Sweep helps protect the state's natural resources and prevent agriculture pollution by ensuring the safe and proper disposal of outdated, unused or unwanted pesticides in Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture's Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program (MDA MGSP), in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), local units of government, and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), has established 16 permanent Clean Sweep sites located throughout the state to date.

Farmers and individual Michigan residents may drop off potentially harmful pesticides at a Clean Sweep site where they will be collected, packaged for shipping, and disposed of properly and safely. There is no charge for this service. Those interested in participating in the program may contact the site coordinator at the location nearest to them for more information, including collection dates.

Pesticide dealers and individuals who sell and/or apply pesticides for hire may also, at the Clean Sweep site manager's discretion, dispose of unused or unwanted pesticides at cost. This cost is typically less than 20% of the normal cost of pesticide waste disposal because of economies of scale and competitive bidding of waste disposal accounts.

History
Michigan's Clean Sweep pesticide collections originally began in 1987 as a series of one-day collections in specific watersheds. The move to establish permanent Clean Sweep pesticide collection sites began in 1996 when MDA obtained EPA funding to construct five sites throughout the state (it is important to note that the construction funds do not always cover all costs related to constructing a new site; in such instances, the host site provides for the remaining construction funds).

Funding
Clean Sweep is made possible by a strong and unique state, federal, local and industry partnership. MDA, through the MGSP and fees paid by pesticide and fertilizer registration fees on specialty and agricultural products, provides funding to support the disposal of pesticides, while the local unit of government/host site provides for staffing, scheduling, site maintenance, promotion, vendor selection, etc. The EPA has historically provided funding for site construction, and will often provide additional funding for pesticide disposal. DEQ support covers the cost of allowing mercury disposal at the sites as well.

Results
Over the past seven years, nearly 700,000 pounds or 350 tons, of pesticides have been removed from circulation and properly disposed of via the permanent collection sites.

Clean Sweep/HHW Linkages
All Clean Sweep sites are run concurrently with local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) programs. Experience suggests that the link to a HHW program is critical, as local staff are already trained in handling hazardous wastes and in coordinating hazardous waste collection programs. Additionally, HHW programs already have a relationship established with hazardous waste disposal waste vendors and, most importantly, linking the two offers an extra convenience for the customer.

Clean Sweep Contact Information
Clickable Map of Michigan
or
List of Participating Counties (with contact information)