CRAWFORD COUNTY - Crawford County Conservationist Dave Troester reported to the Land Use Committee that the 2018 Clean Sweep Event had been a great success.

Troester reported that the event had been funded in part by a DATCP grant that was part of grant funds received in LaCrosse County. Participating townships and citizens also contributed another $4,000 each in fees. Troester reported that there were two townships, which had each brought a dump truck of materials, that had not helped to fund the event.

Volunteers for the event included Wauzeka-Seneca Skills USA and the North Crawford/Seneca wrestling team, Ellen Brooks, and Dan from UW-Extension Americorps. Even Vance Haugen, the recently retired Crawford County Ag Agent, showed up to help.

Collections included 46,448 pounds of electronics and 5,528 pounds of chemicals. In 2017, 61,495 pounds of electronics were collected, and there were 3,656 pounds of chemicals. That amounted to a 15,047-pound decrease in electronics, and a 1,872-pound increase in chemicals. Pounds of microwaves increased dramatically over 2017, going from 591 pounds to 2,383.

Revenues of $10,135 from the event, up from $7,631 in 2017, resulted in the total cost to the county for the event coming in at just $355. This is down $4,467 from the total county cost of $4,802 in 2017.

There was discussion among the committee about the challenges around recycling light bulbs, including having the correct containers to transport them, and recouping the cost. In particular, the committee discussed whether smaller businesses in the community should be permitted to participate in the program in the same manner as an individual citizen. Troester will research the question, and provide a report to the committee at an upcoming meeting.