Whitewater Times

Walworth County has announced its upcoming Clean Sweep recycling events, scheduled for Friday, October 3, and Saturday, October 4. The events will take place at the Walworth County Public Works facility located at W4097 County Road NN in Elkhorn. No registration is required for participation.

On Friday, October 3, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., residents are invited to bring household hazardous waste for disposal. Items accepted include those labeled as caustic, acid, flammable, danger, warning, or poison. Examples provided by organizers include nicotine vape devices, oil and lead-based paints, pesticides and herbicides, adhesives and lubricants, old fuel, fluorescent bulbs, mercury thermometers, cleaning chemicals, antifreeze, and motor oil. Items should be kept in their original containers when possible. A full list of acceptable items can be found on the county’s hazardous waste recycling webpage at www.co.walworth.wi.us/342/Hazardous-Waste-Recycling.

The event continues on Saturday, October 4, from 8 a.m. to noon. In addition to household hazardous waste collection—which remains free—residents may also dispose of electronics and appliances for a fee payable in cash only. Fees are set at $10 per television or large appliance such as refrigerators and freezers; monitors cost $5 each; mini fridges, small air conditioning units and dehumidifiers are also $5 each; all other appliances can be recycled at no charge.

For more information about these events or to see a complete list of accepted items at Clean Sweep events, residents are encouraged to visit the Clean Sweep website or contact the Walworth County Solid Waste Division by email or phone at (262) 741-3116.

Walworth County serves a diverse community that includes several large schools such as Badger High School with an enrollment of 1,275 students during the 2023-24 school year. Other significant schools include Elkhorn Area High School with 941 students and Elkhorn Area Middle School with 676 students (https://dpi.wi.gov/). During the same school year in Walworth County schools, white students made up approximately 70% of the student body while Hispanic students represented about one-quarter of all students (https://dpi.wi.gov/). Multiracial students were identified as the third largest ethnic group among local students (https://dpi.wi.gov/).