By Andi Anderson
Residents in 11 Illinois counties have the opportunity to dispose of unwanted agrichemicals for free this year, thanks to the Illinois Department of Agriculture's (IDOA) agricultural pesticide "Clean Sweep" program. The program, announced by IDOA, will host a collection event in late summer for Bureau, Carroll, Henry, JoDaviess, Lasalle, Lee, Ogle, Rock Island, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago Counties.
The "Clean Sweep" program is open to farmers, retired farmers, nursery owners, private pesticide applicators, structural pest control applicators, and landowners who have inherited unwanted agricultural pesticides. Participants must register the products they plan to dispose of by July 26. This registration allows the waste disposal contractor to prepare for the collection of various materials.
Since its inception in 1990, the "Clean Sweep" program has been providing this service free of charge, thanks to a grant obtained from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The program not only saves participants the expense of proper disposal but also ensures that the state of Illinois assumes liability for the materials collected.
To register, participants can obtain forms by calling the IDOA Pesticide Hotline, visiting the IDOA website, or contacting one of the program sponsors listed in the announcement. Once registered, participants will receive a reservation card with details about the date, time, and location of their collection.
The collaboration between ClearShift, a Dallas-based producer of environmentally friendly fuels and specialty chemicals, and Univar Solutions, an Illinois-based company, aims to offer high-grade, carbon-neutral specialty chemicals. The partnership will leverage ClearShift's gas-to-liquids technology to convert methane, flare gas, and CO2 into non-combustible specialty chemicals, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Through initiatives like the "Clean Sweep" program and partnerships between companies like ClearShift and Univar Solutions, Illinois is taking steps towards environmental stewardship and sustainability. These efforts not only benefit local communities but also contribute to global efforts to combat climate change and promote a healthier planet.
Photo Credit: Illinois Department of Agriculture
Categories: Illinois, Government & Policy