The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will hold its spring 2017 CleanSweepNY pesticide collection event during the week of May 8 and is targeting Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga and Tompkins counties.

Since CleanSweepNY’s inception, more than 1.6 million pounds of chemicals and over 870 pounds of elemental mercury have been collected and safely disposed of. In addition, approximately 5,000 plastic pesticide containers have been collected for recycling, which may otherwise have been disposed of in landfills.

“The disposal of dangerous pesticides and chemicals can have serious consequences on our drinking water and the environment. CleanSweepNY helps remove these unwanted chemicals from our communities to ensure they don’t pose a threat to public health or the environment,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “I encourage all eligible institutions to take advantage of this opportunity to help build a toxic-free future.”

CleanSweepNY is an opportunity for agricultural and professional pesticide applicators, golf courses, cemeteries, marinas and schools to dispose of unwanted and/or obsolete pesticides and chemicals, including elemental mercury, as part of a statewide effort to protect public health and the environment and promote a healthy and sustainable New York. Empty, triple-rinsed high-density polyethylene plastic (HDPE-2) pesticide containers will also be collected and recycled.

Preregistration is required to participate in the CleanSweepNY program. Completed registration forms are due by April 21.

Find out more about CleanSweepNY by visiting its website at cleansweepny.org, or call 1-877-793-3769.