Northern Beaches residents have a safe way to do a chemical clean-out this month.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Northern Beaches Council are running a free chemical collection this month at Mona Vale:
Saturday 28th June and Sunday 29th June
at the Mona Vale Beach car park, Surfview Road, Mona Vale, between 9.00am and 3.30pm each day
The clean-out offers a safe way to dispose of unwanted chemicals stored anywhere in your household (such as bedrooms, lounge room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, home office, attic, garage, carport, shed, balcony, patio, porch, deck, around the pool, under the house, in the garden).
Household quantities up to 20 kilograms (kg) or 20 litres (L) per waste type can be disposed of at the clean-out, however trade painters may dispose of up to 100L of paint in 20L containers.
The following household items can be disposed of at the chemical collection venue:
- Solvents and household cleaners
- Floor care products
- Ammonia-based cleaners
- Garden chemicals (pesticides and herbicides)
- Poisons
- Pool chemicals
- Hobby chemicals
- Motor oils, fuels and fluids
- Fluorescent globes and tubes
- Acids and alkalis
- Smoke detectors
- Paint and paint-related products (strippers, varnishes)
- Gas bottles
- Fire extinguishers
- Car and household batteries
- Cooking oils
- Vapes (Note: this is a new waste type added to the list)
Care should be taken to handle and transport chemicals safely to the collection venue:
- Never mix chemicals as this may produce dangerous reactions
- Wherever possible, keep all chemicals in their original containers
- Ensure containers are clearly labelled and well-sealed
- If you do not know the contents, label containers ‘unknown chemical’
- To avoid leaks during transport, wrap containers holding liquids securely in newspaper, place in sturdy plastic bags and then in plastic buckets or trays
- Keep household chemicals away from passengers by placing the items in the boot area of your vehicle
When arriving at the chemical collection venue, remain in your vehicle at all times and follow the direction of traffic controllers. There may be some queues, so be prepared for minor delays. Once ready, contractors will collect the items from your vehicle.
For more information on household chemical clean-outs, visit the NSW EPA website.
