Clean up your act! Introduce your self Provide: Name Title and where you work Brief description of the MGSP Cooperative effort of MSUE, MDA, NRCS, Americorps Funded by user fee on pesticides and N fertilizers Money provides technical assistance, education, and cost share. Clean Sweep Why you should clean up your garage and how to get rid of hazardous chemicals. Do you have a garage or basement that looks like this? Do you know where to get rid of all of this stuff?

Problems Old products can be a safety and environmental hazard Increased risk of leaking and accidents Old products can be a safety and environmental hazard Old containers can become brittle with age Products can become outdated and ineffective Large numbers of products make storage more difficult and increase the chance of accidents

Improper Disposal Don’t dispose products by: Septic system Burning Dumping Don’t dispose products by: Septic system Burning Dumping All of these methods can allow groundwater or surface water contamination. This can contaminate your drinking water or harm wildlife! Burning can also produce fumes that are hazardous to breathe.

Clean Sweep Accepts No charge Make appointment Pesticides Mercury Only Accepts Pesticides Mercury Is available at any location to any Michigan resident No charge – is supported through the MGSP and MDEQ Make appointment – Call first, different locations have different ways of collecting chemicals Map shows contacts for 2015. Check for updated list at www.michigan.gov/mdard

Other Options Local communities or counties have HHW disposal Many communities offer additional ways of disposing of hazardous chemicals. Contact your local Michigan State University Extension or Health Department for more information. If none is provided talk to your locally elected officials about starting one.

Safety Always use appropriate safety equipment when handling chemicals Don’t keep chemicals that can not or will not be used Always use appropriate safety equipment when handling chemicals, especially chemically resistant gloves. They are helpful when dealing with leaking or degraded containers. Don’t keep chemicals that can not or will not be used – provide an opportunity of accidents.

For more information Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development – www.michigan.gov/mdard Michigan Department of Environmental Quality – www.michigan.gov/deq Michigan State University Pesticide Education – www.pested.msu.edu