MONROE - A program that helps Green County residents get rid of hazardous materials like appliances and some chemicals will go on next weekend without state grant money.
The Clean Sweep progam has been so successful that, when state funding was pulled earlier this year, Green County government decided to continue it anyway. The county's Board of Supervisors agreed to spend $25,000 for the program, and county departments donated money from their budgets to help with expenses.
Gov. Jim Doyle in February eliminated funding for the program.
This year's program will be May 15-16. There are two collections sites; materials can be dropped off from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 15 at the Brooklyn Town Hall, 400 Main St. (Wisconsin 92); and from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 16 at the Monroe City Garage, 1044 5th Ave.
The last Clean Sweep program was in 2004, said Mark Mayer, Green County agriculture agent; 23,000 pounds of hazardous materials from 268 farms and households were collected.
Farmers and households must register in advance by calling the University of Wisconsin-Extension office at 328-9440.
Mayer said there needs to be a close estimate on the amount of material collected.
"We don't want people showing up with hazardous materials and having to turn them away," he said.
The program pays Veolia Environmental Services of Menomonie an average of $1.50 for each pound of hazardous waste collected. Mayer estimated the program can collect about 14,000 pounds.
People who register can dispose of up to 300 pounds free of charge until the program runs out of money. They pay $2 per pound for anything over 300 pounds.
People who don't register will be charged $2 per pound to dispose hazardous materials.
The Clean Sweep committee also plans to separate items that can be recycled or put into regular garbage.
"The Clean Sweep program is an opportunity to dispose of banned products or supplies damaged by moisture or contamination," Mayer said.
Examples of hazardous materials includes oven cleaners, herbicides, insecticides and antifreeze.
Items such as tires, compressed gas cylinders, yard waste, and latex or oil paint will not be accepted. Paints can be placed in regular garbage as long as it's hardened, Mayer said.
People with large amounts of paint likely can purchase paint hardeners at most hardware stores. Another option is to pour the paint into a plastic garbage bag filled with cat litter, then letting it dry.
To register for the program, or for more information about the program, go to the UW-Extension Web site, www.uwex.edu, or call 328-9440.
Registration will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Clean Sweep progam has been so successful that, when state funding was pulled earlier this year, Green County government decided to continue it anyway. The county's Board of Supervisors agreed to spend $25,000 for the program, and county departments donated money from their budgets to help with expenses.
Gov. Jim Doyle in February eliminated funding for the program.
This year's program will be May 15-16. There are two collections sites; materials can be dropped off from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 15 at the Brooklyn Town Hall, 400 Main St. (Wisconsin 92); and from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 16 at the Monroe City Garage, 1044 5th Ave.
The last Clean Sweep program was in 2004, said Mark Mayer, Green County agriculture agent; 23,000 pounds of hazardous materials from 268 farms and households were collected.
Farmers and households must register in advance by calling the University of Wisconsin-Extension office at 328-9440.
Mayer said there needs to be a close estimate on the amount of material collected.
"We don't want people showing up with hazardous materials and having to turn them away," he said.
The program pays Veolia Environmental Services of Menomonie an average of $1.50 for each pound of hazardous waste collected. Mayer estimated the program can collect about 14,000 pounds.
People who register can dispose of up to 300 pounds free of charge until the program runs out of money. They pay $2 per pound for anything over 300 pounds.
People who don't register will be charged $2 per pound to dispose hazardous materials.
The Clean Sweep committee also plans to separate items that can be recycled or put into regular garbage.
"The Clean Sweep program is an opportunity to dispose of banned products or supplies damaged by moisture or contamination," Mayer said.
Examples of hazardous materials includes oven cleaners, herbicides, insecticides and antifreeze.
Items such as tires, compressed gas cylinders, yard waste, and latex or oil paint will not be accepted. Paints can be placed in regular garbage as long as it's hardened, Mayer said.
People with large amounts of paint likely can purchase paint hardeners at most hardware stores. Another option is to pour the paint into a plastic garbage bag filled with cat litter, then letting it dry.
To register for the program, or for more information about the program, go to the UW-Extension Web site, www.uwex.edu, or call 328-9440.
Registration will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.