Popular County Clean Sweep Program to Begin Year-Round Operation Out of New, "Green" Facility May 1st
April 30, 2013
Casey Slaughter Becker, Office of the County Executive 608.267.8823 or cell, 608.843.8858
New Facility Will Prevent Hazardous Waste From Households, Farms, Small Businesses; Electronic Waste; From Entering Water, Soil, County Landfill
The County’s popular Clean Sweep program will offer expanded collection of hazardous and electronic waste year-round at it’s new, green facility beginning May 1st, preventing even more materials from entering our water, soil, and landfill, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced at a ribbon cutting ceremony today.
For the first time in the program’s nearly 20 year history households, farms, and small businesses can drop off hazardous materials year-round – from oil-based paint to poison and pesticides – for collection at Clean Sweep’s new home at the county’s Rodefeld Landfill. Electronic waste, including TVs, computers, DVD players, cell phones, MP3 players, and more, will also be accepted at the facility for the first time.
“The Clean Sweep program has helped keep our community safe and healthy for nearly two decades by preventing an estimated 10 million pounds of hazardous household waste from entering our water and soil,” said Parisi. “This new “green” facility will extend the life of our landfill, and allow even more households, farms, and small businesses to safely dispose of their hazardous waste.”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that Americans generate 1.6 million tons of household hazardous waste per year, with the average home containing as much as 100 pounds of hazardous materials. Improper disposal of these products can damage ground and surface water, soil, and landfills and can potentially endanger the health and safety of those who come into contact with them.
The new Clean Sweep facility contains a number of “green” features to reduce its footprint on the environment. The building will be warmed entirely by heat generated from on-site engines that convert gas from decaying landfill trash into renewable electricity for the grid.
Translucent panels will allow more natural light to fill the facility, cutting down on electricity costs; and advanced stormwater features, such as a porous pavement parking lot, will keep rainfall where it lands.
Clean Sweep will open May 1st at the county landfill (7102 US Hwy 12, Madison) and will operate Tuesdays – Fridays from 7:00am - 2:45pm, and Saturdays from 8:00am - 10:45am. Clean Sweep will be closed Sundays, Mondays and Holidays.
Dane County households and farms will be asked to pay $10 per drop-off, out-of-county households and farms will be asked to pay $75. Businesses will be asked to pay a fee based on the weight and type of materials that are dropped off. Grants are available to help offset the cost of waste disposal for agriculture customers who use Clean Sweep – please call 608-838-9555 for details.
A full description of products and electronics that will be accepted, fee structure, and exceptions, can be found online at www.danecountycleansweep.comor by calling 608-838-9555.
The new Clean Sweep facility is connected to the county’s new construction waste recycling building. Construction and demolition waste currently accounts for 40% of the space in the county’s landfill.
The facilities are key components of the County Executive’s comprehensive solid waste strategy that will extend the life of the county’s current landfill site another 30 years. Avoiding the process to site a new landfill will save 200 acres of valuable farmland and save county taxpayers $100 million.
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