Free Household Chemical Drop-Off Service Launched

20/10/2009

Tasmanians will soon be able to remove unwanted and out-of-date chemical products from their homes and deposit them at a free drop-off site.

The Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage Michelle O'Byrne and the President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania Barry Easther today jointly launched the ChemSafe Homes Tasmania program in Launceston.

Under the program, drop-off days have been organised at various locations around Tasmania. Anyone with an unwanted household chemical can visit any of the drop-off points on each day and locations will be rotated across as many jurisdictions as possible.

Chemicals accepted at the drop-off sites include most garden, kitchen, laundry, shed and garage chemicals, along with different types of fuels, oils, lubricants, paints, thinner, solvents and poisons.

This includes all household horticultural chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides, fuels, lubricants, coolants, brake and transmission fluid, all batteries, gas cylinders, fertiliser, photograhic chemicals, aerosol cans and pharmaceuticals.

Drop-off sites will NOT accept products such as motor oil, farm chemicals, fire extinguishers, asbestos, ammunition and explosives and chemicals from commercial business.

The ChemSafe Homes Tasmania program has many environmental benefits including the treatment and correct disposal of household hazardous waste and preventing this waste from entering our landfills and waterways.

"This is a chance for all Tasmanians to help make their home hazard free by cleaning out their household chemical clutter and safely disposing them at designated drop-off points across the State," Ms O'Byrne said.

Cr Easther said the program was designed to help keep Tasmanians safe in their homes.

"This is great for Tasmania because every resident has the opportunity to clear out those unwanted chemicals lying around the house. Not only will it create safer homes, but will add to our understanding of quantities and types of chemicals used, and help us better manage chemical waste."

Residents are asked to drive to the designated drop-off point on the day, follow the directions and stay in their vehicle as the collector on site will assist in removing the products. Chemicals collected will be reused, recycled or treated appropriately.

Drop-off sites will accept household quantities, up to a maximum of 20 litres or 20 kilograms per item.

An information brochure explaining the ChemSafe Homes Tasmania program will be distributed to every household over the next few weeks, outlining what will and won't be accepted at the drop-off sites.

The brochure also contains a timetable for drop-off sites from November 2009 to March 2010, with the first two being held in the south at the Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC) at Glenorchy on Saturday 28 November and at the Kingborough Council Depot on Sunday 29 November 2009.

The first drop-off in the north will be held at the Launceston City Council Depot in Remount Road in Launceston on Saturday 5 December and in the northwest at the Burnie Waste Management Centre in Mooreville Rd, Sunday 6 December 2009.

The 'ChemSafe Homes Tasmania' program is part of the Tasmanian Household Hazardous Waste Collection Project.

This is a joint project between the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment, the Local Government Association of Tasmania and three regional bodies - the Southern Waste Strategy Authority, the Cradle Coast Waste Management Group and the Northern Tasmania Regional Waste Management Group.

The one-million-dollar project is jointly funded through the DPIPWE Living Environment Program (LEP) and the 29 local councils in Tasmania.

More information about the 'ChemSafe Homes Tasmania' program, including drop-off times and information on what will and will not be accepted at drop-off sites can be found by visiting the LGAT website at: www.lgat.tas.gov.au