Clean Sweep Programs - US Environmental Protection Agency

Summary of Vermont Waste Pesticide Disposal ProgramThe state of Vermont held a program to collect and dispose of unwanted pesticides in 1991. In late1995, the program became permanent and continuous. In 1997, for the first time, farmers and growerswere able to dispose of unwanted pesticides at no charge at hazardous waste collections. The Departmentof Agriculture, Food and Markets established a policy to pay for disposal costs of unwanted and bannedpesticides from the collection of pesticide registration fees. Since 1996, Vermont has allocated $60,000 peryear to the Clean Sweep program. 2000 was the first year in which the entire allocation was spent.Vermont’s collection and disposal program works with assistance from 14 solid waste districts anda few municipalities, with each district running two to twelve collection events per year. The Department ofAgriculture, Food and Markets contracts with each solid waste district to pay disposal costs. Each wastedistrict contracts with a waste hauler for transportation and disposal of the wastes. The program is open tofarmers, home owners and all other pesticide users in the state and is successful. From 1991 through 2000,Vermont has collected a total of 65,953 pounds of pesticides. Vermont has information on the amount ofspecific pesticides that have been collected, because reporting that information is a requirement for receivingfunding.Agricultural chemical dealers run the container collections at their facilities. Dealers will take backany triple-rinsed containers of products they sell to private and commercial applicators. The ACRCprovided a chipping machine to the dealers so that the containers can be chipped and recycled.YearVermont Table 1 - Quantity of Pesticides CollectedQuantity of Pesticides(pounds)Program CostAverage Cost(per pound)1991 17,900 no data NA1996 4,363 less than $60,000 NA1997 3,640 less than $60,000 NA1998 3,125 less than $60,000 NA1999 8,925 less than $60,000 NA2000 28,000 $60,000 $2.14TOTAL 65,953 NA NAInformation on the number of participants is not tracked.NA = not applicable