Materials are collected from these groups via scheduled events held during the spring, summer and fall throughout the ten-county region. Once materials are collected, they are transported to the Cleansweep hazardous waste treatment facility in Spooner where they are further segregated and packaged for ultimate delivery to a hired hazardous waste contractor, who has been chosen by the ten-county hazardous waste committee based on their qualifications. The Cleansweep program is pleased to report that approximately 70% of all materials are ultimately reused, especially for fuel re-blending purposes.

The program has been growing each year from a collection total of

54,055 pounds in 1995 to a total of 172,000 pounds in 2000. It is estimated that the program will collect approximately 200,000 pounds in 2001

The major objective of the Cleansweep program is to eliminate the indiscriminate dumping of hazardous materials on the land or in our water systems and watersheds. Through 1999, over 200 tons of hazardous materials have been collected from our region alone.

The program provides three collection points for each county throughout the summer. Informative brochures are sent out to residents annually and are also available at area hardware stores and libraries. Special “milk run” collections are also scheduled for businesses, schools and municipalities during the fall, winter and spring months. The programs are also advertised in local newspapers and on local radio stations. The Cleansweep program also picks up materials from residents, businesses and farms when conditions warrant. This provides a valuable service to those who cannot make it to a scheduled event or have quantities which require a separate pickup.