The Michigan Clean Sweep Program helps protect the state's natural resources and prevent agriculture pollution by ensuring the safe and proper disposal of outdated, unused or unwanted pesticides in Michigan.

Clean Sweep is made possible by a strong and unique state, federal, local, and industry partnership. There have been a number of Clean Sweep sitesestablished around the state to accept your unused or expired pesticide products. The schedule of collections will vary from county to county. It is best to contact the Clean Sweep site nearest to you for details of their operations.

Participating Clean Sweep sites will accept pesticide product and mercury free of charge from any Michigan resident. They are not, however, required to handle other types of household hazardous waste from residents outside of their respective counties.

For the next two years, the program has received funding to enhance its free collection efforts through a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant. Over the past fourteen years, nearly 1.7 million pounds (850 tons) of pesticides have been removed from circulation and properly disposed of via permanent collection sites.

Agribusiness, Greenhouses, Nurseries

If you have a lot of expired pesticide product in need of disposal, now is the time to take care of it! Pesticide dealers and individuals who sell and/or apply pesticides for hire may also dispose of unused or unwanted pesticides at no charge during 2011 and 2012. Arrangements, however, must be made with a Clean Sweep site prior to collection and it is up to the Clean Sweep manager's discretion as to their procedure for accepting your products. At a minimum, the agribusiness is responsible for cataloguing the products for disposal - including name of the product, EPA Registration Number and weight (tare weight should be separated). Collections are for pesticides only. No fertilizers will be accepted as part of Clean Sweep unless they are part of a pesticide formulation.

Pharmaceutical Collections

Pharmaceutical collections are a new addition to the list of items that Clean Sweep sites can collect. Livestock producers, animal rescue organizations and zoos are encouraged to bring in expired or unused medications for animals as well as for humans. Due to varying county policies not all Clean Sweep will be able to take in pharmaceuticals, or these collections may be held as separate special events. It is also up to the county if and/or how they will handle controlled substances.

If you have questions about the Clean Sweep Program, please feel free to call 517-241-3933 or email eatona@michigan.gov.