Florida Agencies Team Up to Collect Thousands of Pounds of Pesticides

TALLAHASSEE ? Continuing their commitment to collecting and safely disposing of cancelled, suspended or unusable commercial pesticides, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) Commissioner Charles H. Bronson and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole are once again joining forces for the 10th annual Operation Cleansweep.

?We are pleased once again to join our colleagues at DEP in helping dispose of unused and outdated pesticides from farms, businesses and other commercial sites,? Commissioner Bronson said. ?This program of eliminating chemicals that could pose a danger to the public and our environment illustrates what government can accomplish when it works together.?

Operation Cleansweep collects and disposes of pesticides to protect agricultural workers, emergency responders, the public and the environment from potential health and environmental risks from stored pesticides. Some products are old and may be stored in containers that are deteriorating, while others, such as chlordane and DDT, can no longer be used legally. To date, more than 1.3 million pounds of pesticide products have been collected from nearly 1,900 participating farms, dairies, ranches, nurseries, golf courses and professional pest control operations in 65 Florida counties.

?Operation Cleansweep is a proven approach to reducing the amounts of unwanted or outdated pesticides in our communities, and I am pleased with the success the program continues to demonstrate; collecting and ensuring the proper disposal of nearly 80,000 pounds of pesticides each year,? said DEP Secretary Sole. ?DEP is pleased to partner with DACS to provide a convenient, free way for industries to clean house and protect Florida?s natural resources.?

To participate in Operation Cleansweep, commercial pesticide applicators can call the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services toll-free at (877) 851-5285 or download the sign up form at http://www.flaes.org/pdf/Flyer.pdf. For more information, visit DEP?s website at www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/cleansweep-pesticides.

Homeowners wishing to dispose of pesticides are encouraged to contact their local Household Hazardous Waste program or visit www.earth911.org for more information.