Clean Sweep Programs - US Environmental Protection Agency

Summary of Texas Country Cleanup and Agricultural Waste Pesticide Collection ProgramsTexas has a comprehensive recycling program and a pesticide disposal program, the Texas CountryCleanup and the Agricultural Waste Pesticide Collection Program. The state began recycling containers in1991 in partnership with the South Texas Agricultural Chemical Association. In 1992, a separate wastepesticide collection program was started. In 1994, the Empty Pesticide Container Program added battery,tire, oil and oil filter collection and the name was changed to the Texas Country Cleanup Program. TNRCCconducts 35-45 Texas Country Cleanups and 10-15 Agricultural Waste Pesticide Collections annually. TheTexas Country Cleanup and the Agricultural Waste Pesticide Collection events often combine together andsometimes include household hazardous waste collection to form a comprehensive waste managementoption for rural Texans. Tire collection has been limited since January of 1999, due to the privatization oftire collection in Texas. Some cleanups offer tire recycling through Supplemental Environmental Projectfunding, an enforcement penalty program. Other items that have been collected at cleanups include wire,metal, poly pipe and “ag film.”The ACRC contributes container granulation services through its southern contractor, USAgRecycling. Battery, oil and other recyclables are collected for free. Oil filters are also collected and theirdisposal costs are paid for using hazardous waste registration fees. Also, the Agricultural Waste PesticideCollection Program is funded by hazardous waste registration fees. Regional recyclers provide collectionservices and cosponsors include the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, the Texas Department ofAgriculture, the Brazos River Authority, Lower Colorado River Authority and local environmental groups.