Photo by JP Valeri on Unsplash.com

Clean Sweep Household Hazardous Waste & Pharmaceutical Collection Day

August 20th, 2022

Annually held the third Saturday in August from 9am-1pm, in cooperation with the Michigan Water Stewardship Clean Sweep Program, this service is provided to the residents of Manistee, Mason & Oceana counties. It is made possible by contributions of the three counties, townships, villages & cities, Occidental Chemical Corp., plus other organizations and local governmental entities.

Participation is free, but a suggested minimum donation of $5 is greatly appreciated. Please drop off hazardous waste at collection sites only during scheduled hours! We have no means of disposal at any other time. In Mason County there will be two lines–one for general hazardous waste and a separate line for electronics. If you have both, you will have to go through both lines.

New in 2021

Appliances will be accepted. Most appliances are free, but if it uses Freon, like air conditioners and refrigerators, they must be tagged as Freon-free or it will require a $25 fee for disposal. Electronics, such as televisions, computers, and monitors will also be accepted; there is a $10 optional hard-drive erase for computers. Prescription medication will be accepted, but only in their original packaging, if possible. Also, oil will no longer be dumped on site, but kept in the containers it’s dropped off in.

The Clean Sweep Program Helps Save Our Environment!

In 2013, the disposal site hosted 263 vehicles arriving with hazardous materials from 283 households. NOTE: From 2007-2011, the Michigan Water Stewardship Program collected 336,627 pounds of household hazardous waste and pesticides in the three counties, from an average of 842 households and farms each year. Thank-you to all our contributors and volunteers who make this program possible and to all those who have brought in materials for proper disposal.

Household Hazardous Wastes Must be Disposed of Correctly

If hazardous wastes are disposed of incorrectly, they can cause environmental damage by contaminating ground and surface waters, threatening human health and wildlife. Disposing of these products in storm drains allows these materials to enter surface waters untreated. Pouring on the ground leads to potential groundwater (drinking water) contamination. These wastes should not be thrown in the trash; liquid wastes are not allowed in Michigan landfills. The dangers of such disposal methods may not be immediately obvious, but certain types of household hazardous waste have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers; contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains and toilets; and present hazards to children and pets if left around the house. Please use a product completely, give the remainder to neighbors, or take it to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site during collection hours. Empty containers can be disposed of in normal household trash.

Watch for the following signal words:

Biohazard Flammable
Caution Reactive
Corrosive Poison
Danger Toxic
Warning

Clean Sweep is Simple and Easy!

Who can use the program?
Any Michigan homeowner, farm owner, greenhouse, nursery, golf course or other user of pesticides can use this service. All Conservation District programs and services are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status or disability.

What can I bring and how much?
Old unwanted, out of date or unusable pesticides can be dropped off for safe disposal.
Bring whatever you have.

What’s the catch?
There is no catch. Clean Sweep is a good deal for you. There is no red tape and all information is kept strictly confidential.

Note to Agricultural Producers:
Empty out those old pesticides and fertilizers that you won’t be using. This is a good time to dispose of these products, participation is free.

Tips for safe transport of hazardous materials:

Keep items in their original and labeled containers.
Do not mix contents of unknown or unlabeled containers.
Make sure that the containers are not leaking prior to bringing them to a collection facility.
Inspect steel containers for rust, pinholes or defective seams.
Over pack any leaking container in a clear plastic bag or leak-proof container.
Do not transport containers with open tops.
Place chemicals in vehicle away from passengers.
Secure all containers so they cannot slide, tip or spill contents.
55 gallon drums must be removed from premises by producer.

Acceptable Clean Sweep Materials:

Automotive Products & Fuels (All fluids must be in closed containers; call for containers over 5 gallons)
Automotive Batteries
Antifreeze
Brake Fluid
Car Wax
Contaminated Oil
Diesel Fuel
Fuel Oil (no tanks)
Gasoline
Grease
Kerosene
Motor Oil (5 gallon containers or smaller)
Oil/Gas Mixtures
Transmission Fluids
Artist’s Paints
Deck Stain
Epoxies
Glue/Adhesives
Lead-Based Paint
Oil-Based Paint
Paint Strippers
Preservatives
Thinners & Solvents
Turpentine
Varnish & Sealers (5 gal. & smaller original containers)
Chemical Fertilizers
Fungicides
Herbicides

Insect Foggers
Insect Killers
Insect Repellents
Mouse/Rat Poison
Pesticides
Cleaning Solvents
Dry Cleaning Solutions
Floor/Furniture Polish
Metal Polish
Muriatic Acid
Navel Jelly
Oven Cleaners
Rust Removers
Silver Polish
Pharmaceuticals (controlled or non-controlled)
All Types of Phones
Computer Parts
Copier/Laser Cartridges
Florescent-Light Bulbs
Household Batteries
Ink Jet Cartridges
Mercury (elemental)
Mercury – Thermometers & Thermostats
Moth Balls
Nail Polish Remover
Pool Chemicals
Lighter Fluids

Pre-registration is required if you have over 200 lbs. of waste for disposal.

Unacceptable Clean Sweep Items:

(Information for proper disposal is provided.) These items will NOT be accepted at the collection!

Latex Paint: Call your local waste disposal, paint needs to be completely dry. To dry, leave lids off, add kitty litter or sawdust for speedier drying.
Tires: Call local tire dealers, Oceana Transfer Station takes tires for a fee for Oceana Co. residents.
Ammunition or Explosives: Call Sheriff: Oceana County (231) 873-2121; Mason County (231) 843-3475; Manistee County (231) 723-8393
Fire Extinguishers: Call Northern Fire & Safety in Traverse City (231) 947-6035

Waste Collection Sites:

Oceana County
Hart Dept. Public Works
1010 State St.
Hart, MI 49420

Mason County
Mason County Road Commission
510 E. State St. (US-10)
Scottville, MI 49454

Manistee County
Manistee Road Commission
8946 Chippewa Highway
Bear Lake, MI 49614

If you would like to volunteer to help at the collection, please call one of our offices, we may have a job for you!

For more information on the collection, please contact:

Oceana Conservation District
1064 Industrial Park Drive
Shelby, MI 49455
(231) 861-4967, oceanaconservationdistrict.org

Mason-Lake Conservation District
655 N. Scottville Rd.
Scottville, MI 49454
(231) 757-3708 ext 3, mason-lakeconservation.org

Manistee Conservation District
8840 Chippewa Highway
Bear Lake, MI 49614
(231) 889-4761, manisteecd.org